Priceline Hotel: 2* Boston North Shore (Saugus) Red Roof Inn Boston - Logan

[Romelle]

Red Roof Inn Boston - Logan

920 Broadway

Saugus, MA 01906

781-941-1400

Offer Price: $45.00

Rooms: 2

Nights: 2

Room Subtotal: $180.00

Taxes & Fees: $31.52

Total Charged to Card: $211.52

I think this is the first Priceline hotel I've ever received about which I've not been particularly happy. I was carefully bidding only zones and star levels where "Pet Friendly" was NOT a guaranteed amenity. I was also avoiding where the higher star levels so indicated, in case of an upgrade. Of course the opposite is not necessarily true.

This hotel is enthusiastically Pet Friendly. My son and I are traveling with my two 13-year old grandsons. One of them is allergic to cats. Not hugely allergic, but can get "stuffed up" when around them. I haven't contacted the hotel yet, but plan to ask if they do keep any of their rooms sans pets.

Otherwise, the hotel is well-rated and has had a recent renovation.

It is new hotel for the list.

Romelle

[thereuare]

Sorry to hear you're not that happy with this purchase.

If the hotel does not have rooms that are 100% pet free, i'd try calling PRICELINE (and offer a doctors note as proof) letting them know of your son's allergies and see if they will work with you on this one.

Thanks for adding another hotel to the Priceline Hotel List and sharing your PRICELINE win with the board.

Let us know how you make out after contacting the hotel.

[Romelle]

I contacted the hotel first to see if any of their rooms were kept pet-free. They said "100% of our rooms are pet-friendly".......

I then contacted Priceline and presented my case. It did take a while, but they ended up canceling my reservation! No penalty.

This is the first problem I've ever had with a Priceline room (or car), and I've been a steady customer for many years. That may have played a part in their action.

They did suggest I book conventionally to avoid the problem. They offered to switch me to a phone representative. I asked if the phone rep would have access to any information I didn't have on-line and the response was no. So I said I'd prefer doing it on-line.

The email follow-up noted the correct refund amount and said it would be processed immediately, but between PL and the bank it might take 5 to 10 days. Had I purchased travel insurance, that would not have been refunded.

And it noted:

"We would like to remind you that this cancellation has been granted based on the extenuating circumstances related to your reservation. Under normal circumstances, reservations cannot be changed or cancelled."

Whew!

Romelle

[thereuare]

Glad to hear it all worked out ok... now to go find a replacement property. ;)

[Romelle]

I didn't dare try to bid again, since it definitely was possible I'd encounter the same problem. MANY Boston zone/star levels have a "Pet Friendly" guaranteed amenity. And there was no guarantee a few pet-friendly ones might be mixed among those without the guarantee.

I booked conventionally, a Knights Inn - $56/night after I'd gone through the Entertainment Book site. Wyndham property, so there wasn't a BB link.

Romelle

[thereuare]

Glad you found a replacement that works for your family's needs.

Thanks for the follow-up.