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Should I book now?

Discussion in 'Comps' started by OhioStateAlum, Sep 29, 2012.

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  1. OhioStateAlum

    OhioStateAlum High-Roller

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    Forgive me for the questions as I have never booked a comped room.

    I check the Total Rewards website every few weeks to see the rates for my next trip, which will be in May. Up until now, I had been getting IP, Ballys, Harrahs, Rio, and Flamingo as a comp but Caesars, Planet Hollywood, and Paris at discounted rates. When I just looked, I had Planet Hollywood come up as a comp so I would like to lock it in as PH is where I prefer anyway. I have clicked all the way through up until actually confirming it and it still says total: $0. At the bottom I attached what I am seeing.

    Several questions.

    1) After a little research, I found that the deposit on a comp room is typically zero. I understand I will still need to put a credit card on file in case I trash the room or raid the mini bar, which is fine. To the best of everyone's knowledge, is this accurate? Will I be charged a deposit/hold? I use different cards for different things so I would definitely prefer not to have a charge/hold lingering until May when I go.

    2) I generally only gamble in Vegas, and my last trip was in early March. By then, will my comps have expired and will I be charged the going rate for the rooms? I thought CET comps expired after 6 months, and 6 months have elapsed since the last time my TR card had any activity on it. I definitely don't want to book it at $0 only to check it in the future and see I've been charged the casino rate.

    Thank you all in advance so much. Again, I apologize in advance for my newbie questions. Your help is greatly appreciated. :beer::nworthy:
     

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  2. SH0CK

    SH0CK Stylin' and Profilin' Quasi Tech Admin

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    You won't be charged at the time of booking if the total is $0. They will put a hold on your card hand them when you check in.
    If you book the reservation, you have that rate unitl you check in. If you do not book it now, the rate may go up and you may have to pay for the room instead of getting it for free.

    Book it now and hold on to the email.
     
  3. blackjacknut

    blackjacknut VIP Whale

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    I would book it now, they generally don't charge a deposit at time of booking on a comped room. You can always change it later, word of caution if you don't book it now you may log in tomorrow and find it is no longer comped. The websites change often.
     
  4. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

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    It wasn't through Total Rewards, but I learned a couple years ago that the number of comped rooms is not unlimited. DUH! As already mentioned, if you wait too long, you may not be able to get it comped even if the hotel still has vacancies. However, it's easy to change dates for an existing reservation, so my advice would be to reserve now. I've never had a charge for a comped room, but remember to cancel within their time window if you're not going to show, otherwise you will be charged for the first night.
     
  5. luvvp

    luvvp Tourist

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    I've booked a comped room and didn't show and it was never charged to me. If a room is $0 how can they charge you? I've only done this once and it was an offer w/fp & food. They're probably glad I didn't show. LOL

    I would book the room, as long as you have a confirmation # you're good. You can re-check your reservation anytime to make sure it's there.
     
  6. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

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    I've always shown up as scheduled or cancelled in advance, but have been told I'd be charged if … Why else would they need a credit card when booking a comp? I'm glad you didn't get burned, but as they say, YMMV! In any case, I think it's only right to cancel if you aren't going to show, if only to free up the room for someone else.
     
  7. JosieCat

    JosieCat VIP Whale

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    Book it now. I've never been asked to give a credit card when booking a comped CET room. In fact, when I checked in at Flamingo a few weeks ago, they didn't make me leave a credit card.
     
  8. OhioStateAlum

    OhioStateAlum High-Roller

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    I went ahead and booked it. They didn't keep any deposit fee or anything, that was my biggest concern. Thanks for all the help! :nworthy:
     
  9. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Always book, as you can always cancel.

    Rooms have been known to disappear while you go to check with the wifey.

    If you do not show, and do not call, they can charge you. And they should.
     
  10. Leeza14

    Leeza14 VIP Whale

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    I always have to give my CC even for a comped room. Nothing is charged, though.

    Be sure to print your confirmation email and bring it with you. I always have mine "just in case," and I've actually had to produce it once, so I was very glad I had it!

    I just booked our room for March (comped), and I just throw the confirmation email in my Reservations folder in my email; that way, I can pretty easily find it six months from now.
     
  11. jgates8

    jgates8 VIP Whale

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    I do the same as Leeza - it goes in 'current trip' folder in my Hotmail account. Then I can access it from my phone. I do keep a printed copy with me too though - takes so little ink to print one page.

    I have twice not been provided the room type reserved - both at Paris. First time I was just so happy to be there I didn't complain. (It was just view vs. non-view). The second time it happened i had asked at check-in & was told it was standard room. I produced my sheet & she went in the back & low and behold I had my view room. Other times though I have been provided a better room (red vs. regular, view vs. non-view). But I always take my sheet with me & have my copy in e-mail.

    Always book when you see something you are happy with. It can change in a heartbeat. Example - several years ago we were supposed to go to a conference & they hadn't completed the hotel yet (Gaylord Texan). So 5 months out they were changing a conference for 2000+ attendees & 600+ company reps/trainers to MGM in Vegas. Gaylord props was helpful in getting it done for them, but boy did their room availability for that week disappear in a BIG hurry at MGM!!!
     
    Easter again..:
  12. Reston

    Reston VIP Whale

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    My experience is that policies differ among hotels/programs. On some of my comp offers, even when there is no deposit held, I am warned in advance that I will be charged a first night's fee if I don't cancel within their policy guidelines.

    I haven't personally tested the Total Rewards cancellation policy on comp nights (I've always cancelled before 72-hour window), but the T&C disclaimer I've gotten after booking does not indicate a first night's charge if there is no deposit held. They have never held a deposit when the first night of a stay is a comp night.
     
  13. jgates8

    jgates8 VIP Whale

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    When I made a new ressie yesterday via phone (split between 2 hotels so had to do it on phone) she stressed very heavily that to me. I think they probably have been lax in enforcing it & now will start doing so. We make the agreement to cancel within 72 hours we need to honor our part of it.
     
    Easter again..:
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