Scamming your hotel: insiders secrets revealed

[alieninperth]

I have never done that, and I never would. Sure it might only be a choc bar but that doesn't matter. When using self checkouts at the supermarket, do you ring everything up as brown onions?

 

[RooFlyer]

Shock, horror......no one else here ever had the chocolate bar and not told them when checking out the next morning.....you know, when the receptionist specifically asks "anything from the mini bar last night or this morning" and thats when you chime in and say "no nothing thanks".

I'm holding my hand up 'guilty as charged'

No, never done that. Nor do I shoplift, which is much the same thing.

 

[EvanC]

I have never done that, and I never would. Sure it might only be a choc bar but that doesn't matter. When using self checkouts at the supermarket, do you ring everything up as brown onions?

Before self-serve checkouts, I've seen people remove the stalks/leaves from the expensive truss tomatoes in order to pass them off as the ordinary ones.

 

[sjd]

I stopped reading halfway, bad examples!

Did you ask for a refund from the newspaper because you stopped reading halfway?

 

[coles525]

OVOLO HOTEL - 2 Arbuthnot Road, central Hong Kong.

Look it up, typing from the 10th floor right now.

included in price:

laundry
wifi
breakfast
MINI BAR - REFILLED EVERY DAY.

Will take a photo and upload later today/tonight when room cleaning is done.

 

[lovestotravel]

Its an excerpt from a book, as such its lacking context which could make a lot of difference.

Don't care, it's online and appears to be a normal news article until you read the bottom

Doesn't change the fact that its still rubbish

 

[markis10]

Don't care, it's online and appears to be a normal news article until you read the bottom

Doesn't change the fact that its still rubbish

I was suggesting calling it an article was probably a tad complimentary !

 

[Fnordish]

After some advice from a workmate (who had a horror overcharge story) one of the first things I do in a new room is check the minibar against the list.
At first I thought it was just paranoia, but the number of times I've found the bar understocked to the tune of $60+ is worrying and it's not too hard when they charge $20 for a beer.
I'll usually just call down to get something put on the file but don't bother getting it restocked.
Often they'll say they don't pursue the bar charges, but when it's a bottle of wine and stoopid expensive beers I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

[drewbles]

The article is becoming moot though. As others have mentioned, computers log room changes. The new movie systems (Which are rapidly vanishing thanks to iPads and tablets being 'media de jour') are all digital. And now, a lot of places are doing the 'remove and it's charged' mini bar system. Sensors in the fridge, something gets lifted, CHARGE. Simple, no argument.

The Wynn/Encore in Vegas has it right. There's a little sign that says 'feel free to browse items from the convenience bar, but if you pick it up for more than 30 seconds, you will be charged' (as they have some items such as CD's for sale as well). Timed sensors are good. See what's there, don't like it, put it back quickly, no charge.

 

[RooFlyer]

The article is becoming moot though. As others have mentioned, computers log room changes. The new movie systems (Which are rapidly vanishing thanks to iPads and tablets being 'media de jour') are all digital. And now, a lot of places are doing the 'remove and it's charged' mini bar system. Sensors in the fridge, something gets lifted, CHARGE. Simple, no argument.

The Wynn/Encore in Vegas has it right. There's a little sign that says 'feel free to browse items from the convenience bar, but if you pick it up for more than 30 seconds, you will be charged' (as they have some items such as CD's for sale as well). Timed sensors are good. See what's there, don't like it, put it back quickly, no charge.

O/T sorry, but I hate those sensor fridges, timed or not. Don't allow you to put your own stuff in. I usually pick up some milk / softies when I come back to the hotel and like to put them in the fridge. But if there's gotta be a sensor, yes, have a timer.

 

[tuapekastar]

I'll just join the general chorus and say I could not conceive of 'knocking off' anything from the minibar, or scamming the movie system, or offering tips at check in. If these practices (maybe the tip excluded) are even only moderately common then it is a sad reflection on society. I did receive, a few days after checking out of HSP, a minibar bill (and CC charge) of around AUD80 to 90. I had not utilised the minibar at all and a phone call fixed that.

 

[tuapekastar]

O/T sorry, but I hate those sensor fridges, timed or not. Don't allow you to put your own stuff in. I usually pick up some milk / softies when I come back to the hotel and like to put them in the fridge. But if there's gotta be a sensor, yes, have a timer.

I think I've seen one or two of these with signage indicating if you want some room in the fridge for your own stuff call them and they will empty it for you. Still a pain (you may want half and half for example) and I do not like them either.

 

[drewbles]

O/T sorry, but I hate those sensor fridges, timed or not. Don't allow you to put your own stuff in. I usually pick up some milk / softies when I come back to the hotel and like to put them in the fridge. But if there's gotta be a sensor, yes, have a timer.

Totally agree. Most hotels will let you call reception and ask them to empty it for you for your entire stay.

It still limits the size of what you can put in, but they don't mind you then putting things of your own in I find.

 

[Hvr]

O/T sorry, but I hate those sensor fridges, timed or not. Don't allow you to put your own stuff in. I usually pick up some milk / softies when I come back to the hotel and like to put them in the fridge. But if there's gotta be a sensor, yes, have a timer.

I had two stays in the Millennium Hilton New York, checked out on Monday afternoon. They have the sensor fridge and the first time I was there I moved heaps of stuff out so I could use it. The next morning all of my stuff was moved out and a stern letter left next to it telling me that if anything was moved in the fridge or drawer I would be charged for its use.

No offer of a fridge for my own use.

There were charges on the bill for stuff I had not consumed but they were removed without comment when I said I hadn't consumed them.

 

[simongr]

I have walked into the Hilton and found the mini-bar empty and called down immediately to advise and not been charged. Does seem to be a flaw in the system. Advocating it though seems somewhat disgraceful. the late night cancellation is just a bit awful as well. For a start do people often realise at 10Pm that they wont be staying the night when in fact they have a 4PM cut off time?

 

[docjames]

This article basically suggests it's acceptable to steal from the hotel and/or bribe the staff.

I cant see how that's morally acceptable, whatever the "context". :evil:

 

[markis10]

This article basically suggests it's acceptable to steal from the hotel and/or bribe the staff.

I cant see how that's morally acceptable, whatever the "context". :evil:

Actually the whole book seems to be!

Heads in Beds is more than just a memoir. Jake explains the secrets of the industry, offering easy and legal ways to get what you need from your hotel without any hassle—from scoring late check-ins and upgrades to getting that pay-per-view charge knocked off your bill. This book will give you the knowledge you need to get the very best service from any hotel or property, from any business that makes its money from putting heads in beds. Or, at the very least, it will keep the bellhops from taking your luggage into the camera-free back office and stomping the hell out of it.

I think the boundaries of "legal" are well and truly pushed!

 

[coles525]

On regards to my earlier post:

Pictures of the mini bar after housekeeping replaced some missing items.

Top row of the fridge has 4 berry juices.

One other thing i didn't mention is they have free happy hour (6pm - 8pm) @ the checkin area. Beer, wine and softies.

 

[tuapekastar]

On regards to my earlier post:

Pictures of the mini bar after housekeeping replaced some missing items.

Top row of the fridge has 4 berry juices.

One other thing i didn't mention is they have free happy hour (6pm - 8pm) @ the checkin area. Beer, wine and softies.

That's nice. Royal Plaza on Scotts in SIN has 'free' minibar but limited to a few soft drinks, some oreo biscuits (yum), and a couple of Tiger beers a day.

 

[sammm]

Shock, horror......no one else here ever had the chocolate bar and not told them when checking out the next morning.....you know, when the receptionist specifically asks "anything from the mini bar last night or this morning" and thats when you chime in and say "no nothing thanks".

I'm holding my hand up 'guilty as charged'

nope never had.

the only thing i have ever done once aong time ago was use the mini bar and go and replace the item.