Meet Bill, a experienced traveler from the Sarasota, Florida area, whose globe-trotting stories could fill volumes.
But today’s story is not about exotic destinations or close shaves in foreign airports.
It’s about a reservation gone wrong in the bustling city of Buffalo, New York.
Weeks before his trip, Bill, meticulous as always, had booked a room at a Marriott-brand hotel in neighboring Amherst. He had received all the confirmations: text messages, emails, and even the reassuring green check mark on the Marriott Bonvoy App. Her room was reserved, she checked in on the app and her mind was at ease.
Cell phone application. (Marriott)
Arriving for a 4 night stay.
Fast forward to a cold 58 degree afternoon in Buffalo. The city was alive with the energy of a highly anticipated NFL football game. Fans from near and far had flocked to the city, filling every corner, but Bill wasn’t worried. He had his reservation confirmed, or so he thought.
Arriving at the Marriott-branded Reikart hotel with a smile and his reservation details in hand, Bill was greeted with an apologetic but firm tone: “There is no room at the inn.” Despite his confirmed reservation, made well in advance, there was no record of his reservation. A glitch in Marriott’s technology failed to communicate his reservation for the hotel in neighboring Amherst, leaving him stranded.
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A room at the Marriott. (Marriott)
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When you are rejected with a confirmed hotel reservation
Seeking help from Marriott’s corporate hotline produced nothing but frustration. The Marriott company confirmed that they did indeed have a reservation, but locally, the hotel’s system clearly showed that there was no reservation. On that critical night in Buffalo, they offered no viable solutions to this frequent and loyal guest.
“We were given no housing options… and basically, after about an hour of trying to come to a resolution, we were sent out into the night to fend for ourselves,” Bill said. Bill was marooned, a seasoned traveler without a bed.
Screenshot of Marriott website. (Marriott)
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How to solve travel problems with apps
Optimistic and unflappable, Bill and his travel group looked to the Marriott Bonvoy app for a solution. Unlucky. Exhausted. Then they tried the HotelTonight app, known for its last-minute bookings. There wasn’t a room in sight, but Bill’s travel skills didn’t stop there.
Faced with fewer and fewer options, his companion waiting in the car turned to Airbnb, an unlikely ray of hope for helpless souls, and there it was: an instant reservation available for a charming guesthouse just a mile away.
Phone apps for traveling. (Kurt CyberGuy Knutsson)
Unexpected solution that everyone should know
He got the reservation at lightning speed and messaged the host, who had just received a cancellation. Chance was on Bill’s side. From a traveler without a room to a guest in a cozy house nearby, Bill’s luck had changed.
Bill’s ordeal is more than a story of technological mishaps; It’s a testament to the power of alternative platforms like Airbnb. When traditional systems failed it, Airbnb unexpectedly rose to the occasion, not only as a platform for vacation planning but as a lifeline for stranded travelers with its “Instant Book” feature.
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From Marriott’s failure to Airbnb’s success
We contacted Mariott’s corporate offices, as did Bill, who wrote a detailed letter to its CEO. A Marriott spokesperson offered us this brief statement: “We take customer feedback seriously and work directly with guests to resolve any concerns.”
Shortly after our inquiry, Bill received a response from Marriott acknowledging the technical issue and offering to pay for one of his four nights at the Airbnb he had found to rescue him from Marriott’s looming collapse.
Airbnb Instant Booking Feature. (Airbnb)
So if you ever find yourself in a situation like Bill’s, remember that there could be a lovely guesthouse waiting to welcome you, all thanks to the unsung last-minute hero of modern travel: Airbnb.
Pro tip: Download crucial travel apps like Airbnb and HotelTonight before your trip and pre-fill an account with your credit card in case you need to quickly act like Bill to bail yourself out when others do nothing to deliver on their promise of a roof over your head.
Kurt’s Key Takeaways
Bill’s story is a reminder that even the best-laid plans can go astray, and in those times, the flexibility and reliability of platforms like Airbnb are not only a convenient source of hotel alternatives; They are crucial in a pinch.
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How do you plan your trips and what are some of the essential apps or tools you use to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience? Would you buy one for yourself or your loved ones? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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