Watch out for Holiday Inn when you are booking a hotel room as a government patron!
Our office recently called their 1-800 Holiday Inn reservation number to book a room for one nite at the Ontario Airport. We were told that "No government rates were available." The cost of the room on a Tues. was $137 + tax. When we arrived we asked the desk clerk if they honored government rates and he responded that they did and the price was $83; a $50 difference in rates. When we attempted to get this rate we were denied because the 1-800 Holiday Inn number was actually controlled by a "3rd Party Vendor."
When we returned from our business trip I called the Ontario Holiday Inn manager, identified ourselves as Premiere Members and explained the problem. While he agreed with me that the 3rd party vendor misrepresented that the Holiday Inn was not accepting government rates, he said that they would not be able to adjust the higher rate we paid. The customer service was non-existent. Admission but no ownership of the obvious problem of misrepresentation by the 3rd party vendor.
Maintaining good relationships and CSR with your good patrons is "Business 101." Apparently someone cut school that day when it was taught. We have now cancelled 3 recently made reservations with Holiday Inn. Marriott Courtyard has a superior business model and they will get our future business. Beware the 1-800 reservation line when seeking a discounted rate!
- Holiday Inn Ontario
- Ontario Holiday Inn
