2023 Skate America in Allen, Texas

[sheetz]

FYI, online travel agencies (Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline, etc) typically get a pretty big cut on the room rates, so hotels view guests booking thru those channels as much less desirable than guests booking directly with the hotel. That would be my guess why as to why Expedia reservations would be cancelled first.

Regarding those reservations that have been cancelled, I would expect any payment to be automatically refunded to your credit card.

 

[Karen-W]

Regarding those reservations that have been cancelled, I would expect any payment to be automatically refunded to your credit card.

Some of them try to get away with offering travel credits instead of a full refund, which is actually against Visa regulations. If those third-party booking sites don't offer a full refund, again, call your bank to dispute the transaction.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I went ahead and booked it as soon as Allen was even hinted at, since I knew I'd be going. How annoying.

Delta uses Expedia so I assume that was my problem. I should have booked through Marriott direct. I wasn't planning on renting a car in the end, so cancelled that, thinking I wouldn't need it but now I guess I will.

@YukiNieve Did your friend get anywhere with the hotel? I got an email, from Reservations Systems, or whatever it is, then called the hotel to make sure it was legitimate. It was, they confirmed my reservation was cancelled. Now I won't get a refund, but I have to book it, then send them the information to get reimbursed on my card. I'm pretty pissed.

The Home2 Suites and Residence Inn are both about a 10 minute walk so it could still be doable without a car.

 

[once_upon]

That's not true about not getting a refund. If you have a Visa then the merchant canceling your reservation falls under "services not as described" and is absolutely a disputable transaction. Call your bank and get the charge disputed ASAP.

On our case, Expedia told us that they had already paid Delta and Budget Car Rental - any changes had to go through them. Delta and Budget could not change/upgrade flights or change car pick up location. It was quite the back and forth and I don't remember how we got some credit at Delta and were about to cancel car rental. Maybe because we got the trip insurance?

 

[Karen-W]

On our case, Expedia told us that they had already paid Delta and Budget Car Rental - any changes had to go through them. Delta and Budget could not change/upgrade flights or change car pick up location. It was quite the back and forth and I don't remember how we got some credit at Delta and were about to cancel car rental. Maybe because we got the trip insurance?

It doesn't matter if Expedia has already paid Delta or Budget. On your credit card statement, you paid Expedia to provide a service, therefore they are the merchant and if they make changes to those reservations, then they are not providing the services as described.

I'm not sure how trip insurance works, but it is irrelevant to your dispute rights. You can decline the credit the merchant is offering if you would prefer a full refund on your crrdit card and they are supposed to comply per Visa regulations.

I cannot encourage you enough to call your bank and file a dispute.

 

[BittyBug]

How is praising the author "critical"?

I read that post as saying that it’s essential (critical) to have local promotion.

 

[once_upon]

It doesn't matter if Expedia has already paid Delta or Budget. On your credit card statement, you paid Expedia to provide a service, therefore they are the merchant and if they make changes to those reservations, then they are not providing the services as described.

I'm not sure how trip insurance works, but it is irrelevant to your dispute rights. You can decline the credit the merchant is offering if you would prefer a full refund on your crrdit card and they are supposed to comply per Visa regulations.

I cannot encourage you enough to call your bank and file a dispute.

It's long over. We got where we wanted, it's a freaking nightmare. As someone upthread said those discount sites get a decent cut from airlines, hotels, etc so the actual vendor isn't interested in helping you much.

We are now going through the actual vendor - Marriott or Hilton or whomever.

 

[RubySkate]

What I've been trying to figure out is, if a lot of skating fans made their reservation May 6th (as my friend did for my group, and as other people on this thread did), why is the hotel just now realizing there's a problem, almost two months later?

I'm really hoping that this all works out fine by October. For those who have already been cancelled, perhaps ask the hotel to put you on a waiting list, even if they think it's unlikely to open up. Any hotel contract I have ever seen has an attrition rate around 15%, meaning that even if USFS booked all 228 rooms of this hotel, they could let 34 go without penalty. Maybe that's why there has almost always been a few extra rooms at the host hotel in the past. . . . I just hope the hotel manager realizes this and doesn't cancel us all.

 

[barbk]

What I've been trying to figure out is, if a lot of skating fans made their reservation May 6th (as my friend did for my group, and as other people on this thread did), why is the hotel just now realizing there's a problem, almost two months later?

I'm really hoping that this all works out fine by October. For those who have already been cancelled, perhaps ask the hotel to put you on a waiting list, even if they think it's unlikely to open up. Any hotel contract I have ever seen has an attrition rate around 15%, meaning that even if USFS booked all 228 rooms of this hotel, they could let 34 go without penalty. Maybe that's why there has almost always been a few extra rooms at the host hotel in the past. . . . I just hope the hotel manager realizes this and doesn't cancel us all.

From a Colorado Springs experience long, long ago...hotels believe that there will be a bunch of cancellations because that's what they normally see. There was a hullabaloo at the main hotel (maybe it was for a Skate America?) when they started turning folks away who showed up with confirmed reservations. It was a mess...and that is the USFS hometown.

Hotels also believe it is unlikely that people will want food at 10 pm or dinner at 5 just like arenas seem to be challenged to provide a coffee cart for those coming in to watch practices.

 

[skipaway]

This hotel issue has worried me enough to rebook my Montreal hotel directly through the hotel chain.?

 

[Debbie S]

Re Montreal....Carole, the woman whose co is offering the discounted rate, seems to be in regular communication with the hotel....seems more of a direct, tour group type of arrangement than a 3rd party site. I needed to change something about my reservation and she was very responsive and got it resolved quickly.

 

[kwanfan1818]

But after some issues we had with flights/car rental/hotel booked through Expedia last year when we went to SC, we've started going with the actual vendor.

And this is likely why:

FYI, online travel agencies (Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline, etc) typically get a pretty big cut on the room rates, so hotels view guests booking thru those channels as much less desirable than guests booking directly with the hotel. That would be my guess why as to why Expedia reservations would be cancelled first.

Expedia and their ilk make marginal amounts on airline tickets, but a huge profit on hotels. Hence, in general, reservations get cancelled in the reverse order of profitability.

 

[Aceon6]

Re Montreal....Carole, the woman whose co is offering the discounted rate, seems to be in regular communication with the hotel....seems more of a direct, tour group type of arrangement than a 3rd party site. I needed to change something about my reservation and she was very responsive and got it resolved quickly.

My Bonvoy popped up when I booked using her link, so hers is only one click removed. The confirmation came directly from the Marriott account, so I think those who booked using that link are fine.

One thing I’ve noticed in general is if I open Bonvoy or TrueBlue or similar and log in before searching on other sites, I’m often recognized during the session. This happens with Porter as they code share with JetBlue, so my points are automatically linked.

 

[Debbie S]

My Bonvoy popped up when I booked using her link, so hers is only one click removed. The confirmation came directly from the Marriott account, so I think those who booked using that link are fine.

Same for me (Bonvoy account).

And this is likely why:

Expedia and their ilk make marginal amounts on airline tickets, but a huge profit on hotels. Hence, in general, reservations get cancelled in the reverse order of profitability.

If that's true here, I'm screwed....I made my reservation with (Marriott) points, so I'm zero profitability.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Same for me (Bonvoy account).


If that's true here, I'm screwed....I made my reservation with (Marriott) points, so I'm zero profitability.

Customers who book through third parties are either price shopping, ie, have no loyalty, or have loyalty to the third party. (When I travelled, I had status at Expedia, and their customer service, including dedicated phone lines -- phones, imagine -- made it worth it to me.) So the financial calculation of the hotel is transactional, with some hope of converting the customers to their programs and/or recommendations to friends and family. Often it's a way to ensure that they have someone else who will help them fill excess capacity, even if part of the deal is throwing in some amount of coveted rooms.

However, hotel loyalty programs are different, and your future business is taken into consideration: it would cost them to replace you if they pissed you off. There already would likely have been limits on the number of loyalty program rooms could even have been booked. There's no guarantee that you won't be bumped, but chances are great that you won't be first in line.

I just think it's amazing that they're giving people notice, instead of letting them know when they arrive at 10pm check-in that they're being moved to a sight-unseen "comparable" hotel many miles away.

 

[sheetz]

Same for me (Bonvoy account).


If that's true here, I'm screwed....I made my reservation with (Marriott) points, so I'm zero profitability.

No, hotels do get reimbursed for points stays. Read this:

Marriott Changing How Hotels Are Paid For Award Nights

Marriott Bonvoy is changing how individual hotels are compensated when you redeem points, and this could have major implications for members.

onemileatatime.com

Also consider that if you have status with Marriott then you'd likely have priority over guests with no status.

 

[kwanfan1818]

No, hotels do get reimbursed for points stays. Read this:
https://onemileatatime.com/news/marriott-changing-how-hotels-paid-award-nights/

What's interesting about the article is that, while I understand that hotels make money through higher room rates, it doesn't take the rest of the money spent at the hotel by people who spend their points there into considerations: the restaurants, the bars, any spa facilities, gift shops, mini bars, room service, etc. Plus all of the gratuities that subsidize their ability to pay their workers that much less. While it might be better for housekeeping, given the ridiculously short among of time they have to turn around rooms, to be 2/3 full with people paying for the rooms, I'm guessing for the wait staff, bartenders, concierges, valet people, massage people, etc. would rather have more bodies in the hotel.

 

[Lanie]

I'm so annoyed, considering I have this supposed Expedia 'credit' of more than what was paid originally. I can book anywhere, the procedure is I send my receipt and information but I am not sure if it's worth fcuking around like that. @Karen-W, maybe I should just dispute this with AmEx as suggested. Never had to do that before!

I will book direct through the hotel chain, versus through Delta's deal with Expedia (don't need miles THAT much ). I hadn't even realized it was through Expedia, they are pretty sneaky about it, and I generally don't like third-party reservations. I'd never do it with an airline, so I have learned my lesson.

 

[Karen-W]

I'm so annoyed, considering I have this supposed Expedia 'credit' of more than what was paid originally. I can book anywhere, the procedure is I send my receipt and information but I am not sure if it's worth fcuking around like that. @Karen-W, maybe I should just dispute this with AmEx as suggested. Never had to do that before!

I will book direct through the hotel chain, versus through Delta's deal with Expedia (don't need miles THAT much ). I hadn't even realized it was through Expedia, they are pretty sneaky about it, and I generally don't like third-party reservations. I'd never do it with an airline, so I have learned my lesson.

I'm not as familiar with Amex's rules regarding hospitality transactions - we have a dedicated team at work that sees the Amex disputes through the entire process, but I would absolutely file a dispute through your bank. The worst that will happen is you won't win, but if you do win, you'll get your money back.

 

[once_upon]

I will book direct through the hotel chain, versus through Delta's deal with Expedia (don't need miles THAT much ). I hadn't even realized it was through Expedia, they are pretty sneaky about it, and I generally don't like third-party reservations. I'd never do it with an airline, so I have learned my lesson

We looked at our Amazon Visa Cash Back card and found there was a 5% cash back on travel. Then investigated further that it must be done through the Chase Card Site. Nope. Nope. Nope.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

The first and last time I used at third party site was Orbitz for 2007 Nats. There was an issue with my flight and I called them at least ten times to hound them for a refund so I could book direct. They finally gave in.

 

[Lanie]

We looked at our Amazon Visa Cash Back card and found there was a 5% cash back on travel. Then investigated further that it must be done through the Chase Card Site. Nope. Nope. Nope.

Ugh, no!

We have a Barclays World MC that's been great, any travel transactions you get a percentage cash back, and we just apply it to our balance end-of-month. I usually use my AmEx, though, because of all the traveling I've been doing the last year and a half. Lounge benefits and so on.

I'll be contacting AmEx about it after the holiday.

 

[tennellicious]

why is the hotel situation such a hot mess? USFS can't even manage Skate America, which gets maybe 2k attendance total?

 

[Rukia]

why is the hotel situation such a hot mess? USFS can't even manage Skate America, which gets maybe 2k attendance total?

It sounds like this is more the hotel's fault than USFS

 

[Lanie]

I'm not sure if I should wait it out and see if the Courtyard opens up again closer to the date or book something else. Still irked. lol

 

[Debbie S]

I'm not sure if I should wait it out and see if the Courtyard opens up again closer to the date or book something else. Still irked. lol

I would book something else to make sure you have something. As long as you choose the flexible rate, you can cancel up until a day before.

 

[ChristineB]

I'm not sure if I should wait it out and see if the Courtyard opens up again closer to the date or book something else. Still irked. lol

Definitely book something else as a backup - or even those hotels may fill up and you'll be stuck far away from the venue.

 

[Rukia]

If you are going to have a car to drive to the arena, there are hotels on 75 both south in Allen and north in McKinney that are a 10-15 min drive depending on how bad traffic is. They're pretty close, just not walkably close.

 

[Lanie]

Heeey, guess what, the Courtyard Marriott is available again (through Delta's partnership with Expedia) and it's $100 more/night! Thanks, Marriott!

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Heeey, guess what, the Courtyard Marriott is available again (through Delta's partnership with Expedia) and it's $100 more/night! Thanks, Marriott!

It’s not showing any availability on the Marriott app so I wouldn’t trust that anyway.