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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To Leave this hotel room empty

147 replies

katemiddletonsothermum · 03/06/2016 08:37

OK, I've cocked up. I was convinced that a certain event was on a certain data, so I booked a hotel room. I booked it as an advance purchase so it's non cancellable and non transferable.

And now, of course, I discover that this particular event is the week after, so I'm going to have to book ANOTHER hotel room.

If I tell the hotel that I'm not coming on that first week, won't they just keep my money and then rent out the room again? AIBU not to just not turn up? After all, it's my room and I've paid for it. Why are hotel room bookings becoming like train tickets, ie 40 different prices for the same thing?

I could try and explain this to the hotel but I doubt they'd be sympathetic as the confirmation email clearly says that it's non refundable and non transferable

The event is in August so it's not like it's next week. So the hotel would have plenty of time to re-sell my room.

OP posts:
Bearbehind · 03/06/2016 08:57

*How about if you call and ask them to move it, and imply heavily that if they won't they won't get the booking for the correct night?

Hmm

Where's the incentive for the hotel there? I'm sure they won't be devasted if the OP doesn't rebook- she's already paid for the night she has booked.

Why can't people just be pleasant and ask for a favour rather than try and force someone's hand when they actually have no means to.

lifesalongsong · 03/06/2016 08:57

I don't understand why you wouldn't at least try and get the booking moved.

I know the hotel said non refundable etc but it's silly not to politely ask them, they may well do it as a goodwill gesture if they know they can rebook the room.

fuctifino · 03/06/2016 08:58

I had a hotel room booked, fully paid. On the way to our event, we had a crash on the motorway. Car not drivable, police involved etc.
Called hotel when I could, sent pictures of accident and they still wouldn't refund.
I won't be booking with them again.

So I'm with you op, don't bother telling them.

cjt110 · 03/06/2016 08:58

We had an event we couldnt attend on a non refund basis for the room and Travellodge allowed us to move our booking. Give it a try. Otherwise, I doubt they would care if you do/don't turn up.

MrsJayy · 03/06/2016 09:01

We have had a premier Inn moved they were really good about it i had read the date wrong they moved us and probably resold the room win/win really

ReginaBlitz · 03/06/2016 09:01

And also it is a bit petty, you can't have the room so no one else can you fucked up not them, if they re sell it they do, someone might actually really need it at the time.

MargotLovedTom · 03/06/2016 09:03

BigPurple - hardly the same as not cancelling a restaurant booking, unless you're in the habit of paying for your entire meal in full and up front before you go?

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 03/06/2016 09:04

I mistakenly booked tickets for the wrong date and got them swapped even though the T and Cs said they couldn't be changed or refunded. You never know.

Liiinooo · 03/06/2016 09:04

Hotel room prices have always been infinitely variable, it's just more visible nowadays=days.

Yes if you tell them you won't be there they might well re-sell your room and make a bit more profit. Why is that a problem to you?

As other people have said, give them a ring, ask nicely, the worst they can do is say no. Or go on both nights - I am having a non essential night in a hotel today just for the treat of it.

MargotLovedTom · 03/06/2016 09:05

I would definitely ring and ask if the hotel booking can be moved.

WanHeda · 03/06/2016 09:05

The hotel is paid for, they don't care if you sleep in it or not. You don't have to let them know you are not coming.

However, it might be worth a shot at trying to move your booking, the worst they can say is no!

OliviaStabler · 03/06/2016 09:10

Don't understand why the anger at the hotel chain from the OP. The OP messed up and has to take the consequences.

Be angry at yourself OP, not at a business.

Starlingsintheslipstream · 03/06/2016 09:11

I would feel bad not letting them know. They probably also factor in the average guest spending money in the bar or on breakfast so they do lose out if people simply don't turn up.

Original poster
katemiddletonsothermum · 03/06/2016 09:13

Ok, I'll call them. And I do agree with those of you who say I'm petty. Not my proudest day, but certainly one of my crossest!

Logging off now. Will be back about lunchtime as I have to take my car to the garage as some kid on a moped thought it would be funny to knock off my wingmirror.

OP posts:
TheDevilMadeMeDoIt · 03/06/2016 09:14

The fact that you're going to have to book ANOTHER (your capitals) room is because you were so sure of the date that you didn't check before booking. That's not the hotel's fault, so I don't see why you're so determined to get one over on them (which is how your OP reads).

Ask them nicely if you can transfer, and if you can't then chalk it up to experience.

MorrisZapp · 03/06/2016 09:14

If it's a premier Inn type place then I never spend any further money there than the room rate. Even if I did, this is offset by the time and expense spent servicing the room each day.

Pagwatch · 03/06/2016 09:15

I'd just talk to them. Like a grown up would.

MargotLovedTom · 03/06/2016 09:15

I guess the feeling is if the hotel staff are adamant that they cannot and will not amend the booking (yes, I know that was in the terms and conditions etc etc) especially if they're quite starchy about it, then why would the OP feel amenable to them profiting twice from her balls up? They've been paid in full for the night, and they're saving on having to clean the room the next morning if there's been no one in it.

youarenotkiddingme · 03/06/2016 09:16

I'd ring up and ask if you can transfer the booking to the following week.

If they say no ask if you can get a discount on room the following week for being a valued customer.

If they say no I'd book the room at full rate the for the following week and negate to tell them I didn't want first week. If they ask if you want to cancel previous booking I'd reply with "will you refund me?"

I would cancel the evening I don't turn up eventually but I agree with what you're saying - if they want repeat custom they need to provide customer service. They won't lose out by transferring your booking and reselling current room. It's a fair way to see if they are customers or business first. Some places seem to forget without the customer they won't have a business!

MargotLovedTom · 03/06/2016 09:17

And what MorrisZapp said re bar and breakfast.

bakeoffcake · 03/06/2016 09:18

Yes give them a ring. They may be able to do something especially if it's not a big chain.

rosie1959 · 03/06/2016 09:20

I agree just ring them I made an advance booking with Holiday Inn and paid in full at their special rate My daughter was taken into hospital on calling them they were more than happy to move the booking

TheDropBear · 03/06/2016 09:22

If you've booked through the hotel themselves call and see if they can do anything. If they refuse to refund the first week ask if they can offer you anything else like a free room upgrade on the night you will be there as a goodwill gesture. I worked reception in a hotel and would've been quite happy to do this if there were rooms free and you were nice on the phone.
If you've booked through a third party like booking.com you definitely won't get a refund though. Hotels can't change the bookings,

bluerequired · 03/06/2016 09:22

Surely you must be able to change the date? Why are people too afraid to ask ? Call them and try and change the booking and don't be timid. It's your money for goodness sake.

WeAllHaveWings · 03/06/2016 09:23

You bought and paid for the room on the knowledge it was non-refundable. If you wanted the option for a refund you should have paid more or got insurance.

The hotel is in no way being unreasonable, grabby or anything else.

Frankly, if you cant use the room, it would childish and petty to do anything other than be polite and ask if you can move dates and accept gracefully if you cant, then let them know you are cancelling without refund so they can resell

Remember this was your cock up not theirs.