We feel ripped off by Premier Inns

WatlingA5

We arranged to visit children and grandchildren in Essex next month and checked out Premier Inns for a one-night stay on the Saturday.

When we first looked, it was priced at £69 (one double room, two people). Checked a few other sites and then checked back the next day and it had gone up to £70.

From that we assumed it worked the same way as air and train fares – going up as travel date gets nearer – so we booked there and then. We chose the "no cancellation, no changes" option to keep as much as we could of our pensions.

Next day, we looked to see how much it had gone up, only to find it had gone DOWN to £39. The day after that it had gone back up to £70. A few days later it was back to £39. What’s with this crazy luck-of-the-draw system of charging?

We now feel ripped off by Premier Inns – I doubt they could have found a better way of alienating clients who, in our case, are unlikely ever to risk repeating the experience. The difference in cost would have covered our fuel bill for the weekend.

Since we accepted the "no changes" policy we also accept we have to just live with it. However, I also know we will be very wary of falling into the same trap again.

duchy

You weren't ripped off - you simply made an assumption based on inadequate research.

Both hotels and flights can go up and down in price based on demand. Had you watched prices for a few days or even googled for the data you wouldn't have made the mistake you did.

Lucky it was only Premier - with a more expensive hotel the difference could have been a lot more.

Learning from this mistake will probably save you a lot of money in the future looking on the bright side though

ElefantEd

This is why, whenever you've bought something where the price fluctuates, it is vital never ever ever to check the price again! It can only lead to stress and annoyance!

Exile_geordie

ElefantEd wrote: »

This is why, whenever you've bought something where the price fluctuates, it is vital never ever ever to check the price again! It can only lead to stress and annoyance!

Not quite true as Easyjet offer a price guarantee if they drop it after you have booked then they will give you a voucher for the difference.

whatmichaelsays

WatlingA5 wrote: »

From that we assumed it worked the same way as air and train fares

And you were right..... right up to this bit.....

WatlingA5 wrote: »

– going up as travel date gets nearer

That's not necessarily how pricing works.

Hotels, like airlines and rail operators, use software that sets prices based on their target occupancy. If the software determines that bookings are lower than it expects they should be at the point if it is to meet the target occupancy, it will lower the price accordingly. If the software dictates that bookings are higher than it would expect to meet the target, it will increase the price to capitalise on the demand or, in some cases, encourage bookings at neighbouring hotels to balance the demand.

What you experienced with Premier Inn is what you would experience with any major hotel chain as they all use such software. Think about it, when you operate hundreds or thousands of hotels, it is incredibly difficult and costly to monitor every single location on their booking rates, knowing whether there are any sporting events that weekend or whether sales are lower than anticipated.

Ultimately, you were offered a price and you were happy to accept it.

geerex

Would you be posting the same had you purchased at £39 and when checked it had gone up to £70?

WatlingA5

Is that a rhetorical question?

maninthestreet

WatlingA5 wrote: »

Is that a rhetorical question?

How would anyone know?

geerex

WatlingA5 wrote: »

Is that a rhetorical question?

Perhaps. The point is that prices go up as well as down. That's life.

zagfles

ElefantEd wrote: »

This is why, whenever you've bought something where the price fluctuates, it is vital never ever ever to check the price again! It can only lead to stress and annoyance!

But it can educate you - as per post #2. Next time the OP will be aware of these fluctuations and may be able to get it at the lower price.

OP as a matter of interest, what time/day were the prices cheaper and more expensive? Wonder if it's something to do with when business travellers usually book, eg in working hours it's more expensive?

gettingtheresometime

Are you comparing like for like?

Sounds a stupid question but I recently booked a premier inn room and had the option of either paying £39 but had to pay there and then and no refunds were applicable or more (can't remember the amount but it was in the region of £30 more) and could cancel without being charged up to 1pm on the day of arrival.

are you sure you booked the no cancellation rate?