premier inn, £29...when do i pay!?!

organic_wanabe

I had a £29 room booked, near Cambridge, for 2 nights (3rd & 4th December). DS is studying at Cambridge Uni and has to completely clear his room during Christmas and Easter vacations. However, DH and I could not get out of Edinburgh because of the snow. I phoned the PI in question on the morning of 3rd December to explain the situation, making clear that I knew that the rate I had booked was not refundable, but asking that if we could get there for the second night of our booking would they be able to put us up for a further night and could they confirm the rate. The receptionist was fantastic and said that PI was aware of the ongoing weather problems and, in these exceptional weather circumstances, the company was allowing customers in our situation to rebook until the end of February 2011 and they would deduct the 2 x £29 from that booking. So, in case I have not explained this properly, say the room we booked had cost £69 per night because there was no £29 rooms left, then we would only have to pay £49 per night. As it was we transferred our booking to 5th & 6th December and only had to pay a further £11. This really surprised and delighted me as I thought we would have to pay much, much more. I cannot recommend this chain highly enough and they will always get my custom, where possible, in the future. It makes a refreshing change for a company not to profit from the misfortune of others.

As it turned out, returning to Edinburgh from Cambridge, we had to stop overnight at Carlisle because both the M74 and M8 were blocked by snow and jack-knived lorries. We booked into a PI there and they were also fantastic. I cannot recommend this chain highly enough.

Mark_Hewitt

Actually they've changed it. I booked a £29 room for last night and was told at checkin that it was already paid.

Amys

It has changed, it used to be a case of pay on arrival, but now they charge up frint for the special deals.

ocalllo

Not sure how you managed that organic Wanabe, well done.

I have just spoken to customer services as have a booking for 24 & 25 in Forte William. We are snowed in in North Wales and can't get there.

Fully appreciate we booked the special offer rooms but CS not interested in the slightest...... obviously snow is not their fault but was hoping we could credit even one night.

Would definitely make me think twice about using Premier Inn ever again.

Very disappointed.

balletshoes

Amys wrote: »

It has changed, it used to be a case of pay on arrival, but now they charge up frint for the special deals.

I've got my confirmation in front of me for a £29 room booked on 30th November for tonight - it says payment is due on arrival.

p00hsticks

trenners wrote: »

No, it's not possible - although the rooms are discounted, and there's also the travel lodge option - but same point sticks really - can you take out insurance to get the rooms refunded in case trains are cancelled??

Travelodge offers cancellation insurance when you book, but looking through the policy wording, it doesn't appear to cover you for any failure of public transport, although you would be covered if you broke down while driving, which seems a bit unfair.

http://www.travelodge.co.uk/refund_cover/wording.php

Amys

balletshoes wrote: »

I've got my confirmation in front of me for a £29 room booked on 30th November for tonight - it says payment is due on arrival.

Intresting, I have one booked for Feb and the payment has been taken and conformation confirms paid in advance. Maybe it is not uniform across all the premmier inns atm.

Mrs_Ryan

I've booked one for Notts in February and it says 'You have secured your reservation by Visa Debit, payment is due on arrival.' I checked my bank balance straight after booking and they definitely hadnt taken any money so it must just be a case of some take and some dont - although I do know some hotels give you the option to pay online when booking so it must be that.