Is it appropriate for a hotel clerk to comment on the rate you paid?

[Mal]

There have been a few times I've stayed at hotels (normally during 50% off type sales or other super discounted periods) where the check-in/check-out staffer basically says "Wow, that's a low rate" or "How did you get that rate" type comments.

In the interaction metric, I don't think it's an appropriate question. On one hand, the staffer could be generally impressed and going "Wow, congrats", on the other it could be "How did you cheat to get that rate".

So, what is your take. Appropriate or not? Do you get it as well, and I'm especially curious if you've ever had a "WOW. Why did you pay *that* much for the room".

 

[The Rok]

Or it could be a part of the hotel franchise training. Talk up the rate to make the customer feel like they got a really good deal, regardless of the rate....

Ohhhhh my god, that's awesome, you got a really good rate, how did you do it??? (Even though it's the standard or slightly discounted rate) the customer thinks "I got a really good deal" and all of a sudden their experience starts off in a good note...

It's actually really clever..... So long as the customer is not a loyalty profile customer with 60 stays per year and can see right through it.... ;-)

 

[whatmeworry]

I used a 10% off at WW and the checkout lady was impressed when the price went down. However in your case I think the check in staff knew the usual rate and should know the promotions. If not, they were genuinely impressed by your savings. However I think some companies train employees to reinforce positive feedback to fool their customers.

 

[Mal]

Or it could be a part of the hotel franchise training. Talk up the rate to make the customer feel like they got a really good deal, regardless of the rate....

... except, I've never heard it when I did have an average rate. Only when I've paid a rediculously low rate (eg $80 / night for a Mercure , $40 / night for an IBIS)

 

[oz_mark]

... except, I've never heard it when I did have an average rate. Only when I've paid a rediculously low rate (eg $80 / night for a Mercure , $40 / night for an IBIS)

Only time I have heard things like 'that's a good rate'

Doesn't bother me.

 

[medhead]

I had that for a car rental one Easter, they wanted to charge me extra because it was so low.

Not sure I've had it with a hotel and I don't think I'd care.


Sent from the Throne

 

[tuapekastar]

Never heard it, and while there may be no malice/putdown factor, don't think it should be said. It's a bit like the FA saying "wow, you got this F flight so cheap" - once you're aboard, you're all the same.

 

[mella2007]

It's happened to me and I've just laughed it off and said "Well yeah, about time I got a decent rate considering how much I book stays within the brand".

 

[Awesom Andy]

They never mention it to me, although they sometimes like to shower me with upgrades, and do their best to keep me happy. Guess I'm paying them too much...

 

[Joshua]

... except, I've never heard it when I did have an average rate. Only when I've paid a rediculously low rate (eg $80 / night for a Mercure , $40 / night for an IBIS)

We had <$30 / night for a Pullman and you could just tell he wanted to say something... not our fault the place was empty, we booked the night before! I've never heard it and would think it generally inappropriate however could imagine it occurring in an Australian service setting. Culturally it's okay here, would imagine it could make people of other cultures quite awkward.

Now if it's a true mistake fare and you know it, you probably have it coming!

 

[Sprucegoose]

I made comment re the cough room i received at the grand chancellor in Hobart las week, with the retort thats the one I paid for.....there was a conf, place was full and I've been there 10 times, go figure. Give the cough room to some Peruvian ice age debate and not spruce.........

I remained silent (not sure what bestowed itself over me) and thought I need to be more judicious with my money.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I had that for a car rental one Easter, they wanted to charge me extra because it was so low.

Not sure I've had it with a hotel and I don't think I'd care.


Sent from the Throne

Just block their car park entrance until they change their mind.

 

[Major]

I've only had this once. I was tempted to reply that I needed a good rate to cover the CC surcharge, but I refrained

The comment from the check in clerk didn't really concern me.

 

[ReLoad]

Never happened to me before I must be getting ripped off!

 

[Deewhy]

I've had the comment "how did you get that price?" once a few years ago in a Melbourne CBD hotel as I booked the rate almost a year in advance. It ended up being he GP weekend and all I had booked was the Saturday night. Then the checkin tells me we'll have to downgrade me due to room unavailability. Well I could have caused a stink, but chose not too as there wasn't much time gong to be spent in the room. Never been back there.

 

[medhead]

Just block their car park entrance until they change their mind.

Didn't need to, I just told them they had to honour the price as per the booking as that is the price they offered. They did.

 

[Alanslegal]

So, what is your take. Appropriate or not? Do you get it as well, and I'm especially curious if you've ever had a "WOW. Why did you pay *that* much for the room".

Yes it has happened to me and I have absolutely no care in the world if they want to mention it. I get a feel good factor knowing that I have received a great rate and have saved some money.

The first example was a mistake fare at The Atlantis Resort, Bahamas in 2010 where I paid $16 per night plus taxes for an ocean front room. Those room usually sell for $300 per night. The agent was surprised at the rate but was friendly about it. She then spoke to a supervisor who came and said the rate is fine and quite a few people (which I assume 99% were Flyertalk'ers) had already stayed at those rates.

In 2011 when we stayed at the Hotel Danieli, Venice. I paid around 170EUR inclusive of breakfast. (Breakfast is 40EUR per head there). The check-in guy was very surprised at the rate I had and said he has not seen that low of a rate ever, and then he had to mention I also was upgraded to a 700EUR per night room as a SPG Platinum. And then I suggested with a smile if I could get upgraded to the suite that Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp were in in their movie The Tourist ... but that was declined ha ha ha ha

And a few months ago, staying at the St Regis New York on a $0.00 best rate guarantee rate. The check in staff was again surprised but professional about it. I felt almost apologetic for staying in a USD$800 room for nothing.

 

[JohnPhelan]

I made comment re the cough room i received at the grand chancellor in Hobart las week, with the retort thats the one I paid for.....there was a conf, place was full and I've been there 10 times, go figure. Give the cough room to some Peruvian ice age debate and not spruce.........

I remained silent (not sure what bestowed itself over me) and thought I need to be more judicious with my money.

Why was it a cough room? And was it the type you had actually booked?

 

[Sprucegoose]

Why was it a cough room? And was it the type you had actually booked?

Yes technically. Looked onto ac ducts and across to apartment windows. $240 night. I was more of a regular than most of the hotel, there was a large int conference on, so that's a safe conclusion to draw.

Someone with some grey matter will work this out. A bad call was made.

I will choose to vote with my feet!

 

[futaris]

I've had a few comments in the past, when staying on various $1 rates. I was bouncing between two hotels in Queenstown, on the accor $1 rate...