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Travel Advice - Sorry, about your reservation, but we do not have a
room available
You arrive at your destination and head for the hotel where you have
reserved a room. The desk clerk or owner tells you that there are no
rooms available. What should you do?
First, you need to make sure that there has not been a mistake.
- Provide your reservation confirmation. (You did include it on your
list of travel details? - if not, see our articles on
confirming reservations and
written itineraries.)
- Ask the agent to recheck the status of your reservation. If you are
told that the hotel has overbooked and you have a reservation
confirmation, remind them that they have an obligation to find you
lodging of commensurate quality at no more than the price you agreed to
pay.
- In addition, they should provide transportation to the second hotel.
If you have prepaid the room, there is a stronger obligation to find
you alternative lodging.
- If they refuse, make sure that they cancel the charge, report them
to the Better Business Bureau, and vote with your feet (i.e. never use
them again).
If the hotel staff neither provides you a room nor arrange for a
substitute at another hotel, you will have to initiate your own search.
- In this case, you will need to find a telephone directory and call
around. Another suggestion is to look for a local tourist office
whose personnel might assist you.
- If you have made your reservations through a travel agent, call
and have them find a place to for you to stay.
- Be sure to have contact numbers for all companies that you have
dealt with in making reservations for your travel.
Two additional strategies might improve your chances for snagging the
room you have reserved.
- If possible, try to arrive as soon as check-in is available on the
day your reservation starts.
- If you are a member of the hotel’s travel club, they will try a
little harder to accommodate you.
We realize that room unavailability is irritating but losing your
temper over it is non-productive. Blowing a gear may make you feel
better but it will not increase your chances of finding lodging (and
will likely embarrass those traveling with you).
If you need to find information about Destinations or other Things
Travelers Need To Know, try Googling ThereArePlaces.
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