“Nice hotel room, but, problems with management / owner over Sams Club Discount'”
I booked a stay at this Super 8 motel in Williamsport / Montoursvillle PA for 4 nights August 10 to August 14, for a personal trip for a family reunion. I choose this hotel, as a last resort, due to all of the other hotels being totally booked in the area. The 'rack' rate for this hotel for the dates of my stay was $104.00 per night, with AAA discount being $89.00 per night. Using a Sams Club discount code for Sams Club members, I was able to get a rate of $79.00 per night for the 4 night stay. My stay was booked using www.super8.com. (This is a Sams Club Membership discount rate, NOT Sams Club Employee rate - I am not a Sams Club employee - more on that later).
Upon check in, I was given room # 207. The room was in great shape, very clean, and smelled fresh. My only complaint was the bathroom sink drained very slowly, and I had asked to have this looked at. At the end of my stay, the sink still drained very slowly, so, this was not looked into. But, other than that, the room was great. I had no issues at all with the room, the layout of the hotel, the cleanliness of the hotel, or my actual stay. Based solely on my actual stay, I would recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a decent clean and average place to stay for a few days.
Now for the 'poor management' part of my review. When I checked out on August 14, I was asked by the manager / owner of the hotel for my 'corporate ID'. I asked him, what corporate ID. He informed me that I have a 'corporate' rate, and in order to receive this rate, I need to show him my 'corporate ID'. I informed him, I made the reservation using my Sams Club discount code that I have for being a Sams Club member. He then said, I still need to show my 'corporate ID. I showed him my Sams Club membership card, and he said, no no, I need to see your Corporate ID. My Sams Club Employee ID. I again informed him, that I using a MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT CODE for SAMS CLUB MEMBERS, and was again told, I need to have a 'corporate ID'. that that code is only for Sams Club Employees. I informed him, I have had this discount code for 4 years, and have never had a problem using it, maybe something has changed that I was not aware of. At any rate, the manager / owner said, 'I will give you the discount this time, but, next time you need to have a "corporate ID". So, I ended up getting my discount.
When I got back home, I called Super 8 corporate 1-800 number. I then said that I had an issue using a discount code that I have been given, and was told that it is only for employees. I asked the person on the phone, if she could tell me what corporation the discount code I was using was for, and if it was still valid. She then informed me that the discount code I used to book online was for Sams Club Members, and yes, it is a valid discount code. I asked her, if this code was only for Sams Club Employees, and she said, no, that it was a valid code for Sams Club Members. I thanked her for her help.
Next, I phoned the Super 8 hotel in Williamsport / Montoursville directly, and informed the person who answered of my problem, and what I had just found out via the 800 # line. She took my information, and passed it on to the manager / owner. (he never came to the phone, he just relayed the information back to the front desk person). The manager / owner then informed the clerk to tell me, that on my next stay, I MUST bring a valid 'corporate ID' to receive the discount. I again informed the front desk clerk that the manager / owner is mistaken and the code was a valid code for Sams Club Members, -- it is NOT an employee code. I was then informed that this is a privately owned Super 8, and that they do not have to honor ANY discounts - not even AAA. I thanked her, and informed her, that I would be taking this matter up as a complaint to Super 8 corporate - that this hotel is not honoring discounts.
I then placed a call back to the 1-800 # for Super 8 and asked to speak with a supervisor. Here is what I found out from the supervisor. All Super 8 hotels are independently owned and operated. It is up to each owner / operator as to what - if any discounts he / she will accept. And that evidently this Super 8 has chosen not to accept any discounts. He then informed me that if I had booked the rate via a site such as hotels.com or priceline, that I would have to take the issue up with them. I then informed the supervisor, that I had booked the rate online using www.super8.com - the official super 8 website. Well, that is a whole other issue.
If the rate is booked via www.super8.com - the official web site, then that rate MUST be granted, and the hotel MUST accept that rate. So, if the owner / manager refuses to accept a rate that was booked via www.super8.com, then the client is to contact the 800 # for Super 8. Super 8 corporate will then inform the owner / manager of that hotel, that they MUST accept the rate that was booked via www.super8.com. -- no questions asked. I thanked the supervisor for this information.
I then called the Super 8 hotel in Williamsport / Montoursville back, and relayed this information to the front desk clerk - and was then informed - well, we have a sign that states we have the right to refuse service to anyone. OOOK --
Looks like I won't be staying at that property ever again -! (well, maybe I will - as long as I book via www.super8.com -- then they have to honor it! )
I really wanted to write a 'nice' review for this stay. Like I said, the actual hotel stay was great -- but, the management / owner leaves something to be desired. Too bad all they want is the $$$ -! Greedy owner.
Room Tip: Book via www.super8.com only
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC