So what you're saying then, is that you basically don't accept anything
BUT guaranteed reservations. Do you understand that this sounds kind of
like a racket to me? You get guaranteed reservations and HOPE the people
don't show up so you can collect their money without providing anything.
You can also collect double for the room if they don't show up and
somebody else comes along and takes the room. Is this even legal?

Mike, the last thing we want is for someone not to show up for a
reservation. We enjoy having pilots and guests come stay with us -- that
is, after all, why we're here -- and the last thing we want is to ****
anyone off.

That said, we simply can't afford to get stiffed by dishonorable or
disorganized people who reserve suites with little intention of showing up.
With only 27 suites, we're just too small to have that happen without
causing us financial hardship. Thus, we "guarantee" their suite in return
for them "guaranteeing" that they will show up.

This is made clear from the very start of the reservation process -- no one
gets caught by surprise, and they have ample opportunity to back out of the
reservation before we get off the phone. Bottom line: If you think there's
a chance that you MIGHT not be able to make it -- don't make a guaranteed
reservation.

If you absolutely want to know that you have a place to stay, and that we
will turn away anyone and everyone who offers us more for the suite (which,
believe it or not, happens on Iowa football weekends. I've had guys offer
me ANY amount of money to "make a suite happen"...) then guarantee that you
will show up by reserving it with your preauthorized credit card.

We are the only hotel (that I know of) that makes an exception to this rule
for pilots. For them we offer our "IFR Cancellation Policy" which allows
them to cancel right up to 6 PM the night of their arrival -- without
penalty -- if conditions drop below VFR minimums along their route of
flight. This is to protect pilots from that unpredicted crappy weather
along their route of flight -- but they STILL have to call us and let us
know by 6PM, or they will be charged for the suite. Again, this is made
completely clear when they make their reservation.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"