Non-refundable advance purchase rate

[lincoln76]

First time poster here...I booked some hotel rooms for my upcoming Europe trip in January 2016 to Prague, Vienna etc more than a month and a half ago on the Hilton HHonors website. I bought all advanced purchase non-refundable rates as they were the cheapest at the time. To my disappointment when I checked today the room rates were significantly cheaper for exactly the same rooms on the same dates than what I paid a month ago. Basically I lost money because I was trying be organised and booked in advance. We are talking a difference of $200 euro for a 3 night stay at each location that I booked on Hilton website. Do you think there is any recourse for me or any possibility that I could ask the hotel to kindly comp breakfast or upgrades etc as a gesture of goodwill? The website advertised 'best rate guarantee' which is really not the case. Now I'm too scared to book Hilton for my future trips. I have also booked on other hotel websites for this upcoming trip such as IHG, Movenpick etc and have not noticed such drop in price over time.

Anyone has experienced this and have had compensation given for these advance purchase rates which has subsequently gone down in price?

 

[DC3]

.... To my disappointment when I checked today the room rates were significantly cheaper for exactly the same rooms on the same dates than what I paid a month ago ..... Now I'm too scared to book Hilton for my future trips. I have also booked on other hotel websites for this upcoming trip such as IHG, Movenpick etc and have not noticed such drop in price over time.

Anyone has experienced this and have had compensation given for these advance purchase rates which has subsequently gone down in price?

Welcome to AFF, lincoln76.

Here's my thoughts. You locked in a rate that you were happy with at the time. Would you agree to paying extra had the hotel increased the room rates after you booked. Of course not. So it would be unreasonable to expect the hotel to now provide you with a lower rate once you accepted the booking terms (i.e., non-refundable).

In my case I now book the best cancellable rate, and keep an eye on it, so if rates go down closer to the arrival date, I re-book at the lower rate and then cancel the original booking. On the other hand, if rates go up, then I'm in front.

The matter of compensation doesn't really come into it, I would say. I know that this is not the answer that you are after.

What you've done, is nothing new. I've done the same thing myself, but not any more.

Edit: If you wish to book non-refundable rates, it's best not to re-check them, as it may lead to disappointment, as you have seen.

 

[mannej]

I remember a similar topic RE a member who had purchased a number of tickets with JQ. Low and behold the price decreased and they were after a partial refund in the name of good customer service.

I am not sure the best price guarantee comes into this, as it doesn't fit the criteria of their T&C's.

 

[woodborer]

You are not really due anything from the hotel - however, you could send them an email outlining what has happened and if they could provide breakfasts or upgrade due to the price change. While they don;t really have to do anything, there is nothing wrong with asking, and they may come to the party,

 

[Pushka]

I cant see how you are entitled to a refund. Often the opposite happens. Perhaps there have been 'last minute' refundable cancellations that caused this.

I do the same as others - I use refundable bookings with booking.com and keep a watch on prices. These bookings might end up costing me more than non refundable bookings if the hotel is sold out.

 

[andye]

No help now but you can often get a cancellable rate with the big chains (that is very similar to the non-cancellable) by using the AAA rate. Most of the state motoring organisations eg NRMA/RACV are affliated to the AAA

 

[lincoln76]

Thank you all for your opinion. Just an update. I understand that I booked a non-refundable advance purchase rate so the hotel is not obliged to do anything for me. Nevertheless I wrote a polite email to two separate Hiltons in Prague and Vienna explaining my disappointment at booking early and having to pay more than what I should and whether they would consider comping breakfast or room upgrade to 'make us feel better'. To my delight, I received response from both hotels overnight. One has agreed to free breakfast as gesture of goodwill, and the other has amended the rate to the lower rate, and refund to be given upon checkout. This now gives me confidence in continuing booking through the Hilton website at any time. Thank you Hilton Prague and Vienna!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Thank you all for your opinion. Just an update. I understand that I booked a non-refundable advance purchase rate so the hotel is not obliged to do anything for me. Nevertheless I wrote a polite email to two separate Hiltons in Prague and Vienna explaining my disappointment at booking early and having to pay more than what I should and whether they would consider comping breakfast or room upgrade to 'make us feel better'. To my delight, I received response from both hotels overnight. One has agreed to free breakfast as gesture of goodwill, and the other has amended the rate to the lower rate, and refund to be given upon checkout. This now gives me confidence in continuing booking through the Hilton website at any time. Thank you Hilton Prague and Vienna!

Good outcome for you. Remember to take a copy of the emails......just in case they "forget"!