Hotel Assignments: Lowest Standard Room

Do you always book the lowest standard room? I'm so fearful of losing money and of having a shop rejected that I always follow the guidelines to a t-

However, as I continue my career I'm becoming a little more "ballsy" and want to test the waters a little. I have an assignment that instructed me to book the lowest room.

The lowest room is a standard king for $194. They have a jr suite for 224 and one bedroom suite for 334 (thanks coronavirus). The room rate must be under 350.

I've never stayed in a nice suite before and want to. And since it's under budget would it be terribly wrong to book?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/2020 03:24AM by eyelove2shop.

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If the instructions say, "Lowest standard room," the only leeway you usually get is for one bed or two beds. It depends on the client and MSC.

I always go for the 2 queen beds, especially if you have a companion. I haven't had issues where the 2 queen beds was slightly more expensive than a single king bed, especially if the hotel assignment required a guest to partake. Plus, I also learned from a previous relationship that it's practical to always get the room with 2 beds: one for business, the other for pleasure.

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!

I wouldn't do it.

Is is worth damaging the relationship with the company?

It's not worth the risk to your budget or to your relationship with the company. A junior suite usually means there is just a 1/2 wall to separate the bed from the other part of the room, which may have a small sofa in addition to the usual stuff found in the lowest standard room.

Yeah, it's not advisable. You can ask the scheduler if they would allow any room under the maximum rate. They may be willing to make an exception to the general guidelines as long as it is within the allowed amount.

What I will do is book the higher price posted for a regular room. The absolute lowest prices are usually non-refundable from the time of booking. Paying a little more earns a few more points. You can use those points to book a suite someday.

I have done a decent amount of these shops and if you check the hotel website you can clearly tell that suites and standard rooms are separated. Of course, you can always check with the scheduler to see if it's ok, but most likely you'll have to just get a regular room.

LOWEST. STANDARD. ROOM.

If the MSC or client wanted you to book a suite, they would have instructed you to book a suite.

They usually want you to evaluate the check-in process; does the reception associate offer you a suite? No? Then you write about it. Yes? Lucky you! Then you write about it. If you want to be "ballsy", then you can inquire about an upgrade when checking-in.

By booking a room/suite that is more expensive than what you were instructed to book, takes that room/suite out of the client's inventory, negating the possibility of them receiving revenue for that said room/suite versus them reversing charges or reimbursing you for the lowest standard room. Additionally, they may want you to evaluate the lowest standard room and not a suite.

Booking a room/suite different than what was instructed may be cause for you not to be reimbursed and your report/shop to be rejected. YMMV.

Agreed with PG. That would be like being assigned a pizza shop and ordering a salad because it fit within the reimbursement limits...but getting the shop cancelled will hurt a bit more.

I've been "upgraded" a few times from the room that was booked and not had a problem, but I've always booked the lowest room available. Just got back from a shop that upgraded me to a full suite, with no mention of the upgrade whatsoever. VERY nice suite, too. I checked in right at 3 PM, so maybe all the smaller rooms weren't cleaned yet so they gave me what was available? I didn't even realize I had been upgraded until I walked by a room that was being cleaned and could clearly see that it was just one room, without a seperate bedroom like I had. I didn't complain!

I would ask the scheduler but they may not be able to tell you. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

Agree with everyone above who said not to risk it. Just book the lowest standard room. I always do that, and many, many times have been upgraded. My very favorite hotel experience EVER was in a 5 star in Beverly Hills. I booked the lowest standard, and because the hotel was practically empty, at check in they voluntarily upgraded me 7 steps to a two bathroom corner suite with a wrap around balcony. It was e x q u i s i t e. I immediately checked their website to discover the rack rate for the room was $2700 a night. I felt pretty great about having booked the $300 a night room. I burned no bridges with the MSC and maintained my ability to get more shops.

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Hotel Assignments: Lowest Standard Room

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