- Report: #76798
Complaint Review: Howard Johnson's Motel - St. Petersburg Florida - St. Petersburg Florida
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Howard Johnson's Motel - St. Petersburg Florida
4601 34th St. South St. Petersburg, 33711 Florida, U.S.A.
Phone:
727-867-3131
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Howard Johnson's Motel, St. Petersburg Florida dishonest billing St. Petersburg Florida
I planned a trip to St. Petersburg arriving on January 4th, 2004. I stayed 6 nights. I was not sure whether I would be staying the full 6 nights at the motel, or possibly as few as 2 nights. I explained this to the man behind the counter when I checked in, and asked if I could reserve the two nights, while keeping open the option to stay 6 nights to receive the lower weekly rate.
His answer was that I could do that as long as I used a credit card. I used my credit card, assuming that everything would go as agreed. After the two nights, I came to the desk each morning to extend my stay, which eventually reached the full 6 nights of my stay. When It was time to check out, I expected to receive the weekly rate.
Both the man behind the desk (not the same man who was there when I checked in), and the woman who was the manager stated that I was not eligible for the weekly rate. They gave me several reasons for this. One of the reasons that they gave was that I did not specify in advance that I was staying a week. I told them of my conversation with the man behind the counter when I checked in.
They first denied that I had been told this, and then when I repeated that I had, they stated that the weekly rate only applied to stays of seven days, and since I had only stayed 6 days, I was not eligible for the weekly rate. (The Howard Johnson's 800 number had assured me that for a stay of 5 days or more, the weekly rate would be applied, and that this would be lower than five times the daily rate. They then informed me that I was getting a reduced rate anyway. (The rate that I was charged was the rate that was posted on the sign outside the motel. This was lower than the summer rate, but certainly no great bargain) I then became angry and simply paid the bill, informing them that I would never return to that motel.
But I find that I am still angry over this kind of treatment. I have sent a complaint to Howard Johnson's central office, and I am sending this report to you to hopefully alert others to the unethical practices of the prople at this establishment. I had to catch a flight as soon as I left the motel, so there was nothing else that I could do there at the time.
Robert
Pinole, California
U.S.A.
His answer was that I could do that as long as I used a credit card. I used my credit card, assuming that everything would go as agreed. After the two nights, I came to the desk each morning to extend my stay, which eventually reached the full 6 nights of my stay. When It was time to check out, I expected to receive the weekly rate.
Both the man behind the desk (not the same man who was there when I checked in), and the woman who was the manager stated that I was not eligible for the weekly rate. They gave me several reasons for this. One of the reasons that they gave was that I did not specify in advance that I was staying a week. I told them of my conversation with the man behind the counter when I checked in.
They first denied that I had been told this, and then when I repeated that I had, they stated that the weekly rate only applied to stays of seven days, and since I had only stayed 6 days, I was not eligible for the weekly rate. (The Howard Johnson's 800 number had assured me that for a stay of 5 days or more, the weekly rate would be applied, and that this would be lower than five times the daily rate. They then informed me that I was getting a reduced rate anyway. (The rate that I was charged was the rate that was posted on the sign outside the motel. This was lower than the summer rate, but certainly no great bargain) I then became angry and simply paid the bill, informing them that I would never return to that motel.
But I find that I am still angry over this kind of treatment. I have sent a complaint to Howard Johnson's central office, and I am sending this report to you to hopefully alert others to the unethical practices of the prople at this establishment. I had to catch a flight as soon as I left the motel, so there was nothing else that I could do there at the time.
Robert
Pinole, California
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
Cake And Eat It Too
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, September 21, 2004
Give me a break. You check into a hotel, don't know if you are going to stay 2,3,4,5,6, or 7 days, leave at 6 days and expect a weekly rate. A week equals 7 days. In some cases, I've found it's cheaper to pay for the whole week up front, then pay for 3 or 4 single days. Good try though.
Joelle
Aberdeen,South Dakota,
U.S.A.
weekly rates are for just that--WEEKS
#3Consumer Suggestion
Mon, September 20, 2004
Hello Robert. I am sorry to hear about your bad experience at a Howard Johnson. I have some information that you may want to be aware of. The Howard Johnson 800# has no information on weekly rates. They are NEVER given that information and are even instructed to refer guest's to the hotel for that information. Also, weekly rates are for just that--WEEKS. As I hope you know, 6 days is not a week, and never has been considered a week. A weekly rate is only good for staying 7 days and also specifying that you want the weekly rate at check in. In order for you to receive a weekly rate, you must have that system in place at check in, or you will not receive that rate. You told the front desk clerk of the possibility, but never locked into a weekly rate.
Nick
Chicago,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Get it in writing ..Ask for any early departure fees
#4Consumer Suggestion
Wed, January 28, 2004
Having worked for 20 some years in hotels, I can say that most franchised hotels. (HoJo is one of them) pay a franchise fee on the rate (not the rate minus adjustments). This is why hotel owners don't like to make any adjustments. ALWAYS get the rate in writing. The desk clerk that told you, you could get the weekly rate was either lying, misinformed or didn't know any better. I can't think of any hotel that would do that on purpose. They would make you agree to a rate at check in. Most likely with an early check out fee. To anyone who reads this VERIFY your rate at check in. Ask for any early departure fees?
