How To Handle Getting Walked at a Vegas Hotel

Where: 3570 Las Vegas Blvd S [map], 89109

May 12, 2009 at 5:19 PM | by markj | 1 Comment

Over at HotelChatter we told you about our recent experience trying to check-in at Caesar's. We figured now was a good time to give you a few quick tips about what to do if you attempt to check in to a Vegas hotel and they attempt to walk you.

What is "getting walked?"
When a hotel, or in the case of Vegas usually a "tower' oversells the hotel attempts to ship you off somewhere else for the night.

Can a hotel really deny your reservation?
Yes and no. An oversold hotel can ship you off to another hotel, though it is obviously a bad customer service move. Usually, the hotel tries to give you a better quality room at wherever they ship you off to, or give you a free dinner, or a free drink for your troubles. Worst case scenario should be-- they give you a comparable room at one of their towers.

What to do if a Vegas hotel attempts to walk you?
1. Remain calm.
Annie Duke calm. Ice water in your veins calm. Going beserk will get you nowhere.

2. Ask if they have any upgrades available.
Because the hotel is inconveniencing you they should attempt to get back in your good graces and a room upgrade usually will end this disaster for both you and the hotel.

3. Ask to speak to the GM or the Manager on Duty.
Don't make a scene, just calmly talk to them. Better yet, accept whatever the desk clerk tells you then call the GM or Manager on Duty from your cell phone. Why? So the rest of the people in line won't witness the manager caving, you don't want to look like you are trying to show the manager up.

4. Ask for a reduced rate.
If all the hotel can offer you is a lower quality room than you booked, you have leverage. Tell them you want your rate reduced. If you booked on the hotel's website, this method could work with the manager.

5. Go Social Web.
Write to HotelChatter, leave a comment at TripAdvisor, change your Facebook status to reflect your experience.

Getting walked happens, even in Vegas, but if you handle the situation correctly you can turn a possible bad experience into a good one.

VegasChatter

Tags: Survival Strategies / Caesars Palace / Getting Walked / Hotel Rooms / Vegas Tips / → All Tags