Super 8's Discriminatory Practices

I've found that most hotels have various taxes that are in addition to
the quoted rate. Perhaps this explains the different rate.

than prebooking at a motel. I discovered this in the 80's, and I
would be surprised if it isn't still done today. This is one reason I
joined AAA - so that I could find out the names and telephone numbers
of motels, and then call ahead to make a reservation. I have
personally seen (and been charged myself) people pay a higher rate who
walk in off the street, without a reservation.

It would be sad if you were a victim of discrimination, but my guess
is you were a victim of a different kind. I think they saw an
opportunity to make a few extra bucks, and I don't think it mattered
what color your skin is.

Patricia,

I was not there so I can not say with 100% confidence that you were or
were not discriminated against.

What I can say is that you should have booked the rate you were
offered on their site instead of thinking their walk-in rate would be
the same or lower.

Each hotel has to register with the state their Maximum Rate Charged
by Room Type and if they do not exceed that they are practicing
Reveneue Mangement Techniques by qouting the most effective rate they
think the consuming public will accept, pay and meet the rate
objectives of their Business Plan.

Now, if you were standing at the desk, at the same time you were
quoted a walk-in rate another party was quoted a lower rate ( if room
layout, bed configuration, location etc. were all the same ) you might
have a case.

BillR.

I'm not sure that was what was going on here. Walk-in rates are
always higher. I have been in your position, and simply booked online
(from my car) to get the lower rate. I think they often see all of us
who arrive with no reservation as an easy mark to charge that little
extra. If it's discrimination, it's against people that didn't book
in advance.
I think you are going a bit far in saying "they condone
discrimination". Do you know of many corporations that actually
promote it?

It's be terrible if this were discrimination. Of course, who'd charge
you ONLY $10 extra for being a minority? If they didn't like you,
they'd tell you that the room was $200.

Anyway, this letter raises something important: some business are
independently owned/operated. The "chain" only licenses their name
and maybe provided support services (like the web site). While
having a "bad egg" diminished the brand name, you must understand that
this is a local issue and must be resolved with the individual hotel's
management.

Might I ask why you didn't, upon going to your car, make a reservation
for the $59.99 price?

While becoming less and lesson common, walk-in pricing can, in fact,
be higher than what's available online or via phone.