To request my complimentary stay after all these years

[ElsieandMavis]

I had a really disappointing stay at a hotel about 10 years ago. When I complained to the manager, she was really apologetic and offered me a complimentary 3 night stay as a gesture of goodwill and to give them the opportunity to show me the usual quality of their product.

For various reasons, I never went back to her to arrange the complimentary stay.

AIBU to contact her now after 10 years to redeem my freebie? If so, how should I word the email request? I’ve checked that the same manager is still in charge at the hotel.

Do it. I bet they'll honour it. If I was the manager, I would love that and admire your patience.

Go for it! Why not? They might laugh but you might get a stay. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Just reply to the previous email from them, and ask if it would be okay to use it now?

I can’t see how they can no if there’s no use by date.

YABU - as is my DP who wants me to try to spend a 15 year old Boots gift card. But my DP is a CF of the highest order.

You having a laugh 😂 If your not, the hotel will be 🤦🏼‍♀️

Why not give it a go? That amount of money on the card has already gone to Boots

To be honest. If I were the manager and saw that 10 bloody years had passed with you not using the voucher.

Well I’d probably let you use it but only after allowances from higher beings (at the hotel) and to ward off evil reviews left on any sites.

I suppose you could cite the covid years for one reason you didn’t use it, that gives you that time frame.

I think it’s cheeky, but there’s not really any harm in asking. It’s not like you’ll ever see her again if you don’t go!

How is using a gift card in the slightest bit cheeky? That makes absolutely no sense.

Why not give it a go, she can just say no or maybe offer you a discount instead and you can decide whether to take her up.

That suggestion makes no sense. Of course the price has changed due to inflation. However, £100 then is worth £140 now so any difference is likely to be negligible in real terms.

OP - I think you're doing the right thing in asking. Worst case, they say no and you've lost nothing. Best case, they say yes and you have a freebie, plus you've provided a bit of amusement to the hotel staff.

Why on earth wouldn't you use it, so long as there is no expiry date. It's worth a lot less than it was 15 years ago so Boots are doing well on you waiting 15 years to use it as you get considerably less value for the money than you would have 15 years ago.

I don't think asking makes you a CF, because it's not like you're asking some to do something for you / inconveniencing anyone by asking.
@winterwarmer8274 has it right here. You're doing NO HARM at all by asking; she's perfectly free to say no.

No end date? I'd reply to the email and ask them. They can say no.

Haha - do it. What's the worst that could happen, they say no. You've been saving this for a while 😂

If you go at a busy time, I’d be concerned about being allocated the crappest room.

People, she said ‘ask’ not ‘demand’

Of course ask politely. They can only say no.

If they say you can, and you go and have a great time, then come and update this thread and name the hotel. It'd be worth it to the hotel for the good publicity, surely.

Good for you, OP. Shy bairns get no sweets!

I think it’s a bit cheeky.

You could send an email explaining the situation. Say you would have loved to have taken them up on the offer but have not had the opportunity, until now. However, you appreciate it is a very long time to honour a free stay. If it is not possible would they consider giving you a discount instead.

Of course you should ask. Goodwill is really important to hotels. They may say no but there is a chance they may yes, especially if your request is worded carefully and not demanding.

Exactly.

The people who just give in without even a try are baffling to me.

I would definitely email them and ask. You have nothing to lose at all.
If they say no then you just move on and get on with your life.

I think you should try to use this. Just go in and tell them that you feel a bit embarrassed, but that you had totally forgotten to use it due to various life challenges and were wondering if it is still valid. All you can do is try. Get a friend to go with you for support if you are embarrassed.