Why does a resort need personal info before giving quote?

[Earstou]

I just got a Save the Date card for my nieces destination wedding in Costa Rica. Yesterday I requested a quote from the resort it's at. They replied that they need the exact names on the passports and ages of those in our room!?!
Why do they need that just to give me a quote?

 

[MM27]

Is it an all inclusive? They may charge differently depending on the ages of the people in the room. Perhaps they want to make sure you are not booking more people than they have beds for in the room.

 

[bicker]

Maybe they're trying to dissuade competitors for doing competitive research on rates. One marketing tactic is to find out how much your competitors will discount for, and then make sure your staff know to go a few dollars less than that.

 

[safetymom]

Many hotels will provide a courtesy hold when you ask for a quote. You are taking their time asking for pricing. They are hoping you will make the booking. Disney also requires names when asking for pricing because they provide a courtesy hold locking in pricing and availability.

 

[SaraJayne]

Many hotels will provide a courtesy hold when you ask for a quote. You are taking their time asking for pricing. They are hoping you will make the booking. Disney also requires names when asking for pricing because they provide a courtesy hold locking in pricing and availability.

They don't when you do it online.

 

[safetymom]

That's fine because then you aren't using the resources of an agent.

 

[Earstou]

Is it an all inclusive? They may charge differently depending on the ages of the people in the room. Perhaps they want to make sure you are not booking more people than they have beds for in the room.

Yes, it is all inclusive. Sorry, should have said that.

In my first email, I said it would be dh, myself and a teen son (gave the age as he is usually considered an adult).
That was when they asked for exact names as they appear on our passports, and ages. I asked why they needed this for a quote and they haven't replied!

This is thru Destinationweddings.com and the resort is Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort.

 

[dismom2]

I've always believed it was so you can't call back later and get a better quote...or keep getting different quotes. You know how many places give you different prices all the time.... a lot of places have several different prices for the same room(s), same dates, and I suppose it's one way to keep track of what they tell each person.

 

[Ohiodislover]

I always HOPE that it is so they can send me discounts. It is usually not the case though

 

[diznygirl]

I've always believed it was so you can't call back later and get a better quote...or keep getting different quotes. You know how many places give you different prices all the time.... a lot of places have several different prices for the same room(s), same dates, and I suppose it's one way to keep track of what they tell each person.

This is my guess. I have gotten different quotes from places that didn't ask for more information.

 

[dakcp2001]

Sorry ot, but you are going to LOVE CR! Where are they getting married? It is a lovely place!

 

[JessicaR]

Yes, it is all inclusive. Sorry, should have said that.

In my first email, I said it would be dh, myself and a teen son (gave the age as he is usually considered an adult).
That was when they asked for exact names as they appear on our passports, and ages. I asked why they needed this for a quote and they haven't replied!

This is thru Destinationweddings.com and the resort is Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort.

beautiful resort! I would price this place on fun-jet and any other consortium that discounts before getting your price with this destination place. I am guessing you can get a better deal than what they will offer. See if Apple sells that property too. I know Expedia does. Also price it directly through the property.
http://www.solmelia.com/hotels/costa-rica/guanacaste/paradisus-playa-conchal/home.htm

 

[Wishing on a star]

Are you putting in your request THRU destinationweddings?????

The above poster is correct...
You can probably go online and see prices, right there...
Try that first!
Then you will know what your comparisons are.

However, if this event is all being pre-planned with a special (probably lower) rate for guests of this wedding, yes, they will want names and info to keep a list for the wedding party (bride, her parents, whomever they are working with) This would keep riff-raff from trying to take advantage of a special rate for that group/party. The rate that they are quoting may possibly include extras that are being arranged by the wedding party, etc... ( IE: special dinner/banquet, assistance towards paying rental of the wedding venue, etc...)

And, in todays post 911 environment, for international travel, I would imagine that it is not all that unusual for some places to ask for full names that match the passport.

This can get sticky.... I have planned, and been to, events where the group-rate offered by the hotel/resort was actually MORE than the rate that we could qualify for thru other things (points, gov't rate, AAA, etc...) We have made our own reservations thru cheaper avenues, and still had us added to the 'head-count' for the event's functions.

 

[Earstou]

Replied a few days ago...but it looks like my answer was lost in cyber space!

Yes, this is an all-inclusive resort, with the wedding at the resort, so we are looking at a package with special rates for the guests.
I did check prices online, (almost $2000 for 3 nights, 3 people ).

After a few emails back and forth, my question was finally answered:
The reason we require names as they appear on your passport is because the US government requires us to book your travel that way. The way our system works we book your travel directly from your accepted quote. So if I give you a quote without the correct information and you electronically accept that quote, your travel might be booked in something other than your legal names, resulting in cancellation fees that you would have to pay because your travel would be booked with incorrect information. If you would like to call me tomorrow with that information I will be more than happy to send you a quote. I don't need your passport number, just your first and last names.
So, basically, it would be more work for her to give me a quote without that information, and she is not willing to do it. Oh well, she just lost a customer.

Oh, the next day after this email, I recieved another one. In the heading she had my niece's name on it, but when I opened the email, there was a different set of names! Obviously she sent a generic email and forgot to change the names to my niece and her fiance. Not cool!