Radisson Best Online Rate Guarantee - Beware

Posted by Nick on October 23, 2009

As a frequent traveler I am always checking rates for a hotel on multiple sites trying to scope out the best possible deal. Today I was interested in booking a room at the Radisson Hotel New London in New London, CT. Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz all had the room priced at $127 and the Radisson site has it at $143. When I pulled up the rates on the Radisson site there was a big image and info about their online rate guarantee. I clicked on it and read how they will match any rate.

So, I made my reservation on the Radisson.com website and then went to file my claim for the lower price match. But guess what - I can’t! Instead, I got a disappointing message:

Please note that you will not be able to submit a claim for reservations that are within 48 hours prior to arrival.

Argh. It would have been nice to have known that from the start. I feel as if I was tricked since the best rate guarantee info was on the rate selection page for a date that is less than 48 hours before arrival. If this sort of trickery is the standard operating procedure for the Radisson hotel chain then this will be my last stay with them as they are not worthy of my money, in my opinion.