B&B .com promotion

[GeorgiaGirl]

I just received an email from b&b.com, http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/specialoffers.aspx?ctx=lnk2 I was just curious who pays the $? I'm sure it's the Inn, but was just curious, since not all inns have the "green book it" button I was thinking this was a opt in promotion?

 

[Morticia]

I don't know about this promo but I am a tad annoyed as I scrolled down that list of 'cheap' rates (the lowest being $35) that these are the types of accommodations being listed. The lowest price ($35) is a hostel.

 

[JunieBJones (JBJ)]

Okay just for clarification a directory pays for nothing IN THIS PROMOTION. It is the INNS themselves. The directory is just the animal to get the information out to the public. Sort of like a co-op.
If you SAVE $50 it is the inn offering you a discount. If you Buy One Night Get One Night Free - the Inn is paying for the second night. All costs involved.
Thank you for bringing this up, as we don't realize how many guests think it is some association or something that is footing the bill.
We pay to be on the directory, we pay annually. We pay for anything and everything. Which is what the stink was about on the other thread with less than appropriate notice given that now if YOU HAND ME a Gift Card with BandB.com printed on it, I will now get $80 on the room instead of what you are paying with it, $100. You pay with a $100 gift card - we get paid $80. We cannot say NO DISCOUNTS to those guests, so if I gave you a $10 off discount or $15 military discount - I am now getting $65.
So from $100 down to $65. Add into that food costs, flowers, electricity, extras like afternoon snacks or drinks, cleaning help (if applicable), time and work involved, and you come out with ...a headache.

 

[Penelope]

Okay just for clarification a directory pays for nothing IN THIS PROMOTION. It is the INNS themselves. The directory is just the animal to get the information out to the public. Sort of like a co-op.
If you SAVE $50 it is the inn offering you a discount. If you Buy One Night Get One Night Free - the Inn is paying for the second night. All costs involved.
Thank you for bringing this up, as we don't realize how many guests think it is some association or something that is footing the bill.
We pay to be on the directory, we pay annually. We pay for anything and everything. Which is what the stink was about on the other thread with less than appropriate notice given that now if YOU HAND ME a Gift Card with BandB.com printed on it, I will now get $80 on the room instead of what you are paying with it, $100. You pay with a $100 gift card - we get paid $80. We cannot say NO DISCOUNTS to those guests, so if I gave you a $10 off discount or $15 military discount - I am now getting $65.
So from $100 down to $65. Add into that food costs, flowers, electricity, extras like afternoon snacks or drinks, cleaning help (if applicable), time and work involved, and you come out with ...a headache..

and you come out with ...a headache.

Sounds like a rough way to try to run a business.

 

[gillumhouse]

Glad they are looking out for us B & Bs.

 

[Penelope]

Oh, boy...here we go again~

 

[scrambled_eggs]

Well I would think it would be the ones that use the online reservations with bedandbreakfast.com that this would apply to. If you do use that feature it is probably better to have your most expensive room on there so you get more of the money. I am thinking that if a customer were to book a room on that system and enter in the promo code to get the discount we would still get our normal amount of pay from the room. I do like the gift cards because the inn doesn't need to keep track of any gift certificates handed out. We no longer offer our own gift certificates. It is a pain to keep those on the books and have them floating out there not knowing if they will redeem them or not. This way I just issue a gift card and forget about it.

 

[Morticia]

Okay just for clarification a directory pays for nothing IN THIS PROMOTION. It is the INNS themselves. The directory is just the animal to get the information out to the public. Sort of like a co-op.
If you SAVE $50 it is the inn offering you a discount. If you Buy One Night Get One Night Free - the Inn is paying for the second night. All costs involved.
Thank you for bringing this up, as we don't realize how many guests think it is some association or something that is footing the bill.
We pay to be on the directory, we pay annually. We pay for anything and everything. Which is what the stink was about on the other thread with less than appropriate notice given that now if YOU HAND ME a Gift Card with BandB.com printed on it, I will now get $80 on the room instead of what you are paying with it, $100. You pay with a $100 gift card - we get paid $80. We cannot say NO DISCOUNTS to those guests, so if I gave you a $10 off discount or $15 military discount - I am now getting $65.
So from $100 down to $65. Add into that food costs, flowers, electricity, extras like afternoon snacks or drinks, cleaning help (if applicable), time and work involved, and you come out with ...a headache..

So, I'm looking at the list and I'm assuming this is a list of places offering the $50 off a 2 night stay. So, I pick the hostel for $70 for 2 nights and they actually only get $20 for my stay? Something isn't right. Either with the list or the promo.

 

[JunieBJones (JBJ)]

Well I would think it would be the ones that use the online reservations with bedandbreakfast.com that this would apply to. If you do use that feature it is probably better to have your most expensive room on there so you get more of the money. I am thinking that if a customer were to book a room on that system and enter in the promo code to get the discount we would still get our normal amount of pay from the room. I do like the gift cards because the inn doesn't need to keep track of any gift certificates handed out. We no longer offer our own gift certificates. It is a pain to keep those on the books and have them floating out there not knowing if they will redeem them or not. This way I just issue a gift card and forget about it..

Well I would think it would be the ones that use the online reservations with bedandbreakfast.com that this would apply to. If you do use that feature it is probably better to have your most expensive room on there so you get more of the money. I am thinking that if a customer were to book a room on that system and enter in the promo code to get the discount we would still get our normal amount of pay from the room. I do like the gift cards because the inn doesn't need to keep track of any gift certificates handed out. We no longer offer our own gift certificates. It is a pain to keep those on the books and have them floating out there not knowing if they will redeem them or not. This way I just issue a gift card and forget about it.

I remember thinking that. Thinking it out, working it out in my mind. Then thought - BUT if someone wants to BOOK the most expensive room, I am out even more $$.
So what did I do? (this is with a BOGO offer I am on) I just put the stipulations for midweek travel only and hop they book more than one night. SO far that has ocurred a couple times with that offer. I let them choose the room.

 

[GeorgiaGirl]

Okay just for clarification a directory pays for nothing IN THIS PROMOTION. It is the INNS themselves. The directory is just the animal to get the information out to the public. Sort of like a co-op.
If you SAVE $50 it is the inn offering you a discount. If you Buy One Night Get One Night Free - the Inn is paying for the second night. All costs involved.
Thank you for bringing this up, as we don't realize how many guests think it is some association or something that is footing the bill.
We pay to be on the directory, we pay annually. We pay for anything and everything. Which is what the stink was about on the other thread with less than appropriate notice given that now if YOU HAND ME a Gift Card with BandB.com printed on it, I will now get $80 on the room instead of what you are paying with it, $100. You pay with a $100 gift card - we get paid $80. We cannot say NO DISCOUNTS to those guests, so if I gave you a $10 off discount or $15 military discount - I am now getting $65.
So from $100 down to $65. Add into that food costs, flowers, electricity, extras like afternoon snacks or drinks, cleaning help (if applicable), time and work involved, and you come out with ...a headache..

Okay just for clarification a directory pays for nothing IN THIS PROMOTION. It is the INNS themselves. The directory is just the animal to get the information out to the public. Sort of like a co-op.
If you SAVE $50 it is the inn offering you a discount. If you Buy One Night Get One Night Free - the Inn is paying for the second night. All costs involved.
Thank you for bringing this up, as we don't realize how many guests think it is some association or something that is footing the bill.
We pay to be on the directory, we pay annually. We pay for anything and everything. Which is what the stink was about on the other thread with less than appropriate notice given that now if YOU HAND ME a Gift Card with BandB.com printed on it, I will now get $80 on the room instead of what you are paying with it, $100. You pay with a $100 gift card - we get paid $80. We cannot say NO DISCOUNTS to those guests, so if I gave you a $10 off discount or $15 military discount - I am now getting $65.
So from $100 down to $65. Add into that food costs, flowers, electricity, extras like afternoon snacks or drinks, cleaning help (if applicable), time and work involved, and you come out with ...a headache.

I really knew the answer before I asked, but since this was the first time that I remember getting an email from them with a discount code attached to it I was curious. What I really want to know is, does B&B.com email/mail and let you know what they are going to do and ask if you want to participate? Or do the Inns that you can automatically book while on B&B.com's website have to participate (the email says the Inns participating are the ones with the green "book" button) What if someone books using that code but they are NOT on business? I'm sure there's no way to really check.

 

[JunieBJones (JBJ)]

Okay just for clarification a directory pays for nothing IN THIS PROMOTION. It is the INNS themselves. The directory is just the animal to get the information out to the public. Sort of like a co-op.
If you SAVE $50 it is the inn offering you a discount. If you Buy One Night Get One Night Free - the Inn is paying for the second night. All costs involved.
Thank you for bringing this up, as we don't realize how many guests think it is some association or something that is footing the bill.
We pay to be on the directory, we pay annually. We pay for anything and everything. Which is what the stink was about on the other thread with less than appropriate notice given that now if YOU HAND ME a Gift Card with BandB.com printed on it, I will now get $80 on the room instead of what you are paying with it, $100. You pay with a $100 gift card - we get paid $80. We cannot say NO DISCOUNTS to those guests, so if I gave you a $10 off discount or $15 military discount - I am now getting $65.
So from $100 down to $65. Add into that food costs, flowers, electricity, extras like afternoon snacks or drinks, cleaning help (if applicable), time and work involved, and you come out with ...a headache..

Okay just for clarification a directory pays for nothing IN THIS PROMOTION. It is the INNS themselves. The directory is just the animal to get the information out to the public. Sort of like a co-op.
If you SAVE $50 it is the inn offering you a discount. If you Buy One Night Get One Night Free - the Inn is paying for the second night. All costs involved.
Thank you for bringing this up, as we don't realize how many guests think it is some association or something that is footing the bill.
We pay to be on the directory, we pay annually. We pay for anything and everything. Which is what the stink was about on the other thread with less than appropriate notice given that now if YOU HAND ME a Gift Card with BandB.com printed on it, I will now get $80 on the room instead of what you are paying with it, $100. You pay with a $100 gift card - we get paid $80. We cannot say NO DISCOUNTS to those guests, so if I gave you a $10 off discount or $15 military discount - I am now getting $65.
So from $100 down to $65. Add into that food costs, flowers, electricity, extras like afternoon snacks or drinks, cleaning help (if applicable), time and work involved, and you come out with ...a headache.

I really knew the answer before I asked, but since this was the first time that I remember getting an email from them with a discount code attached to it I was curious. What I really want to know is, does B&B.com email/mail and let you know what they are going to do and ask if you want to participate? Or do the Inns that you can automatically book while on B&B.com's website have to participate (the email says the Inns participating are the ones with the green "book" button) What if someone books using that code but they are NOT on business? I'm sure there's no way to really check.
.

Okay just for clarification a directory pays for nothing IN THIS PROMOTION. It is the INNS themselves. The directory is just the animal to get the information out to the public. Sort of like a co-op.
If you SAVE $50 it is the inn offering you a discount. If you Buy One Night Get One Night Free - the Inn is paying for the second night. All costs involved.
Thank you for bringing this up, as we don't realize how many guests think it is some association or something that is footing the bill.
We pay to be on the directory, we pay annually. We pay for anything and everything. Which is what the stink was about on the other thread with less than appropriate notice given that now if YOU HAND ME a Gift Card with BandB.com printed on it, I will now get $80 on the room instead of what you are paying with it, $100. You pay with a $100 gift card - we get paid $80. We cannot say NO DISCOUNTS to those guests, so if I gave you a $10 off discount or $15 military discount - I am now getting $65.
So from $100 down to $65. Add into that food costs, flowers, electricity, extras like afternoon snacks or drinks, cleaning help (if applicable), time and work involved, and you come out with ...a headache.

I really knew the answer before I asked, but since this was the first time that I remember getting an email from them with a discount code attached to it I was curious. What I really want to know is, does B&B.com email/mail and let you know what they are going to do and ask if you want to participate? Or do the Inns that you can automatically book while on B&B.com's website have to participate (the email says the Inns participating are the ones with the green "book" button) What if someone books using that code but they are NOT on business? I'm sure there's no way to really check.

Innkeepers can sign up for these promotions. If you are a green inn, then you can sign up for a green promotion, kid friendly inns can sign up for family promotions, etc They do not sneak it on anyone.

 

[YellowSocks]

Okay just for clarification a directory pays for nothing IN THIS PROMOTION. It is the INNS themselves. The directory is just the animal to get the information out to the public. Sort of like a co-op.
If you SAVE $50 it is the inn offering you a discount. If you Buy One Night Get One Night Free - the Inn is paying for the second night. All costs involved.
Thank you for bringing this up, as we don't realize how many guests think it is some association or something that is footing the bill.
We pay to be on the directory, we pay annually. We pay for anything and everything. Which is what the stink was about on the other thread with less than appropriate notice given that now if YOU HAND ME a Gift Card with BandB.com printed on it, I will now get $80 on the room instead of what you are paying with it, $100. You pay with a $100 gift card - we get paid $80. We cannot say NO DISCOUNTS to those guests, so if I gave you a $10 off discount or $15 military discount - I am now getting $65.
So from $100 down to $65. Add into that food costs, flowers, electricity, extras like afternoon snacks or drinks, cleaning help (if applicable), time and work involved, and you come out with ...a headache..

So, I'm looking at the list and I'm assuming this is a list of places offering the $50 off a 2 night stay. So, I pick the hostel for $70 for 2 nights and they actually only get $20 for my stay? Something isn't right. Either with the list or the promo.
.

So, I'm looking at the list and I'm assuming this is a list of places offering the $50 off a 2 night stay. So, I pick the hostel for $70 for 2 nights and they actually only get $20 for my stay? Something isn't right. Either with the list or the promo.

I think the problem is with the promo.
You get $50 off, two night, mid-week... but only for the inns with the green "Book it!" button.
Then it says, "See more inns from $35/night."
But the $35/night inn does not have the green "Book it!" button, therefore is not part of the promotion.
Does that count as deceptive advertising?
=)
Kk.

 

[Morticia]

Okay just for clarification a directory pays for nothing IN THIS PROMOTION. It is the INNS themselves. The directory is just the animal to get the information out to the public. Sort of like a co-op.
If you SAVE $50 it is the inn offering you a discount. If you Buy One Night Get One Night Free - the Inn is paying for the second night. All costs involved.
Thank you for bringing this up, as we don't realize how many guests think it is some association or something that is footing the bill.
We pay to be on the directory, we pay annually. We pay for anything and everything. Which is what the stink was about on the other thread with less than appropriate notice given that now if YOU HAND ME a Gift Card with BandB.com printed on it, I will now get $80 on the room instead of what you are paying with it, $100. You pay with a $100 gift card - we get paid $80. We cannot say NO DISCOUNTS to those guests, so if I gave you a $10 off discount or $15 military discount - I am now getting $65.
So from $100 down to $65. Add into that food costs, flowers, electricity, extras like afternoon snacks or drinks, cleaning help (if applicable), time and work involved, and you come out with ...a headache..

So, I'm looking at the list and I'm assuming this is a list of places offering the $50 off a 2 night stay. So, I pick the hostel for $70 for 2 nights and they actually only get $20 for my stay? Something isn't right. Either with the list or the promo.
.

So, I'm looking at the list and I'm assuming this is a list of places offering the $50 off a 2 night stay. So, I pick the hostel for $70 for 2 nights and they actually only get $20 for my stay? Something isn't right. Either with the list or the promo.

I think the problem is with the promo.
You get $50 off, two night, mid-week... but only for the inns with the green "Book it!" button.
Then it says, "See more inns from $35/night."
But the $35/night inn does not have the green "Book it!" button, therefore is not part of the promotion.
Does that count as deceptive advertising?
=)
Kk.
.

So, I'm looking at the list and I'm assuming this is a list of places offering the $50 off a 2 night stay. So, I pick the hostel for $70 for 2 nights and they actually only get $20 for my stay? Something isn't right. Either with the list or the promo.

I think the problem is with the promo.
You get $50 off, two night, mid-week... but only for the inns with the green "Book it!" button.
Then it says, "See more inns from $35/night."
But the $35/night inn does not have the green "Book it!" button, therefore is not part of the promotion.
Does that count as deceptive advertising?
=)
Kk.

That was the problem. I realized while looking at some of those lower priced places that SEEM to be part of the promo, that they do not have the booking engine attachment. So, me, looking to spend $20 to stay in DC for two nights would be disappointed. Or, $70 for two nights in NO, similar disappointment.

 

[Morticia]

Okay just for clarification a directory pays for nothing IN THIS PROMOTION. It is the INNS themselves. The directory is just the animal to get the information out to the public. Sort of like a co-op.
If you SAVE $50 it is the inn offering you a discount. If you Buy One Night Get One Night Free - the Inn is paying for the second night. All costs involved.
Thank you for bringing this up, as we don't realize how many guests think it is some association or something that is footing the bill.
We pay to be on the directory, we pay annually. We pay for anything and everything. Which is what the stink was about on the other thread with less than appropriate notice given that now if YOU HAND ME a Gift Card with BandB.com printed on it, I will now get $80 on the room instead of what you are paying with it, $100. You pay with a $100 gift card - we get paid $80. We cannot say NO DISCOUNTS to those guests, so if I gave you a $10 off discount or $15 military discount - I am now getting $65.
So from $100 down to $65. Add into that food costs, flowers, electricity, extras like afternoon snacks or drinks, cleaning help (if applicable), time and work involved, and you come out with ...a headache..

So, I'm looking at the list and I'm assuming this is a list of places offering the $50 off a 2 night stay. So, I pick the hostel for $70 for 2 nights and they actually only get $20 for my stay? Something isn't right. Either with the list or the promo.
.

So, I'm looking at the list and I'm assuming this is a list of places offering the $50 off a 2 night stay. So, I pick the hostel for $70 for 2 nights and they actually only get $20 for my stay? Something isn't right. Either with the list or the promo.

I think the problem is with the promo.
You get $50 off, two night, mid-week... but only for the inns with the green "Book it!" button.
Then it says, "See more inns from $35/night."
But the $35/night inn does not have the green "Book it!" button, therefore is not part of the promotion.
Does that count as deceptive advertising?
=)
Kk.
.

Let me also add additional disappointment as I tried several 'book it' B&B's for a variety of dates in the time frame mentioned in the promo and I got the message that no rooms had been allocated for the dates I requested.
It's a great idea, but as with the GC debacle earlier when guests had no idea WHAT B&B's participated in the program, there needs to be some back end programming done here so ONLY B&B's on the their online booking system who have rooms available show at any given time.
B&B fixed that GC problem by having an easy to find list of B&B's that accept the GC. They can fix this, too, before they have grumpy B&B goers saying, 'Great promo, too bad I can't use it anywhere I want to go.'

 

[JBanczak]

Well I would think it would be the ones that use the online reservations with bedandbreakfast.com that this would apply to. If you do use that feature it is probably better to have your most expensive room on there so you get more of the money. I am thinking that if a customer were to book a room on that system and enter in the promo code to get the discount we would still get our normal amount of pay from the room. I do like the gift cards because the inn doesn't need to keep track of any gift certificates handed out. We no longer offer our own gift certificates. It is a pain to keep those on the books and have them floating out there not knowing if they will redeem them or not. This way I just issue a gift card and forget about it..

Well I would think it would be the ones that use the online reservations with bedandbreakfast.com that this would apply to. If you do use that feature it is probably better to have your most expensive room on there so you get more of the money. I am thinking that if a customer were to book a room on that system and enter in the promo code to get the discount we would still get our normal amount of pay from the room. I do like the gift cards because the inn doesn't need to keep track of any gift certificates handed out. We no longer offer our own gift certificates. It is a pain to keep those on the books and have them floating out there not knowing if they will redeem them or not. This way I just issue a gift card and forget about it.

I remember thinking that. Thinking it out, working it out in my mind. Then thought - BUT if someone wants to BOOK the most expensive room, I am out even more $$.
So what did I do? (this is with a BOGO offer I am on) I just put the stipulations for midweek travel only and hop they book more than one night. SO far that has ocurred a couple times with that offer. I let them choose the room.
.

Hi All,
The promotion is indeed for the inns that are in the online reservation program - as some have referred to as "the green button." The promo though comes from BB.com - we take $50 off the final price - we do not ask for additional discounts from the inn. This is the same as our summer gas promo that we ran. We gave the consumer $50 back and did not ask for additional discounts from the inns.
Some inns feature midweek promotions on their own - without being bookable through us. Those would not qualify, and we would link consumers to the inns for that additional pricing.
I know it can be a little confusing to consumers, but with so many different booking engines that people use, some properties in the online reservation program, some not, etc. - it is hard to make it really clean. What we are trying to do though is focus on midweek travel this fall as the consumer leisure market seems to be hurting lately.
Hope that helps to explain it,
JB

 

[Morticia]

Well I would think it would be the ones that use the online reservations with bedandbreakfast.com that this would apply to. If you do use that feature it is probably better to have your most expensive room on there so you get more of the money. I am thinking that if a customer were to book a room on that system and enter in the promo code to get the discount we would still get our normal amount of pay from the room. I do like the gift cards because the inn doesn't need to keep track of any gift certificates handed out. We no longer offer our own gift certificates. It is a pain to keep those on the books and have them floating out there not knowing if they will redeem them or not. This way I just issue a gift card and forget about it..

Well I would think it would be the ones that use the online reservations with bedandbreakfast.com that this would apply to. If you do use that feature it is probably better to have your most expensive room on there so you get more of the money. I am thinking that if a customer were to book a room on that system and enter in the promo code to get the discount we would still get our normal amount of pay from the room. I do like the gift cards because the inn doesn't need to keep track of any gift certificates handed out. We no longer offer our own gift certificates. It is a pain to keep those on the books and have them floating out there not knowing if they will redeem them or not. This way I just issue a gift card and forget about it.

I remember thinking that. Thinking it out, working it out in my mind. Then thought - BUT if someone wants to BOOK the most expensive room, I am out even more $$.
So what did I do? (this is with a BOGO offer I am on) I just put the stipulations for midweek travel only and hop they book more than one night. SO far that has ocurred a couple times with that offer. I let them choose the room.
.

Hi All,
The promotion is indeed for the inns that are in the online reservation program - as some have referred to as "the green button." The promo though comes from BB.com - we take $50 off the final price - we do not ask for additional discounts from the inn. This is the same as our summer gas promo that we ran. We gave the consumer $50 back and did not ask for additional discounts from the inns.
Some inns feature midweek promotions on their own - without being bookable through us. Those would not qualify, and we would link consumers to the inns for that additional pricing.
I know it can be a little confusing to consumers, but with so many different booking engines that people use, some properties in the online reservation program, some not, etc. - it is hard to make it really clean. What we are trying to do though is focus on midweek travel this fall as the consumer leisure market seems to be hurting lately.
Hope that helps to explain it,
JB
.

Sorry, I too misunderstood and thought the inn was out the $50.
You DO have the technology, tho, to only have participating inns show up in that list below the promo. It's bewildering to us, and you know we know your site pretty well. Imagine a guest who sees that list, sees the $50 off up above and then goes searching for an inn in the list below. The majority of them did not have the 'book it' link. (I checked in the DC and NO lists.)

 

[gillumhouse]

Well I would think it would be the ones that use the online reservations with bedandbreakfast.com that this would apply to. If you do use that feature it is probably better to have your most expensive room on there so you get more of the money. I am thinking that if a customer were to book a room on that system and enter in the promo code to get the discount we would still get our normal amount of pay from the room. I do like the gift cards because the inn doesn't need to keep track of any gift certificates handed out. We no longer offer our own gift certificates. It is a pain to keep those on the books and have them floating out there not knowing if they will redeem them or not. This way I just issue a gift card and forget about it..

Well I would think it would be the ones that use the online reservations with bedandbreakfast.com that this would apply to. If you do use that feature it is probably better to have your most expensive room on there so you get more of the money. I am thinking that if a customer were to book a room on that system and enter in the promo code to get the discount we would still get our normal amount of pay from the room. I do like the gift cards because the inn doesn't need to keep track of any gift certificates handed out. We no longer offer our own gift certificates. It is a pain to keep those on the books and have them floating out there not knowing if they will redeem them or not. This way I just issue a gift card and forget about it.

I remember thinking that. Thinking it out, working it out in my mind. Then thought - BUT if someone wants to BOOK the most expensive room, I am out even more $$.
So what did I do? (this is with a BOGO offer I am on) I just put the stipulations for midweek travel only and hop they book more than one night. SO far that has ocurred a couple times with that offer. I let them choose the room.
.

Hi All,
The promotion is indeed for the inns that are in the online reservation program - as some have referred to as "the green button." The promo though comes from BB.com - we take $50 off the final price - we do not ask for additional discounts from the inn. This is the same as our summer gas promo that we ran. We gave the consumer $50 back and did not ask for additional discounts from the inns.
Some inns feature midweek promotions on their own - without being bookable through us. Those would not qualify, and we would link consumers to the inns for that additional pricing.
I know it can be a little confusing to consumers, but with so many different booking engines that people use, some properties in the online reservation program, some not, etc. - it is hard to make it really clean. What we are trying to do though is focus on midweek travel this fall as the consumer leisure market seems to be hurting lately.
Hope that helps to explain it,
JB
.

What we are trying to do though is focus on midweek travel this fall as the consumer leisure market seems to be hurting lately.
I understand what you are trying to do on YOUR end, but remember this = WE are the ones taking these people into our HOMES! From things I have heard from others who took the GCs many of the GC users were NOT B & B people, I want B & B people in my home, not the Motel 6 crowd.
I want people who appreciate an experience enough to pay what we charge to get it. I do not want the people such as the call i had last night from the local motel that was full. They wanted a room for 2 nights - but not at my rates. There are a lot of guests I would rather pass on thank you.
If going to B & B was just about price, I would not have had my best year ever this year. Gas was higher than ever, stock market wobbly, now Wall Street, Freddie, & Fannie are in the tank - and not one of my October reservations has cancelled. There is a Microtel, Super 8, Comfort Inn, no-tell etc in the area some that advertise starting at $29.95 + tax. It is rare that I get a guest simply because everything else is full. They want the B & B experience if first timers (and I get a fair number of those) or they are experienced and want the personal attention they know they will get at a B & B.
So please, do not think that all we are wanting is "heads in beds", we want those heads to be ones that will appreciate what we have and treat it gently. A guest who pays $100 but misuses our home and furnishings in such a way to have to throw away towels, wash cloths, blankets, comforters, and sheets or have to do major repairs that cost us $150 or more is not a good ROI guest. They are out there. We want them at the Motel 6!

 

[JunieBJones (JBJ)]

Motel 6 crowd = beer swilling cigarette smoking adults, kids jumping on bed and running up and down halls.
As I heard in the musical Chicago - "She just ain't got no class."

 

[Samster]

Well I would think it would be the ones that use the online reservations with bedandbreakfast.com that this would apply to. If you do use that feature it is probably better to have your most expensive room on there so you get more of the money. I am thinking that if a customer were to book a room on that system and enter in the promo code to get the discount we would still get our normal amount of pay from the room. I do like the gift cards because the inn doesn't need to keep track of any gift certificates handed out. We no longer offer our own gift certificates. It is a pain to keep those on the books and have them floating out there not knowing if they will redeem them or not. This way I just issue a gift card and forget about it..

Well I would think it would be the ones that use the online reservations with bedandbreakfast.com that this would apply to. If you do use that feature it is probably better to have your most expensive room on there so you get more of the money. I am thinking that if a customer were to book a room on that system and enter in the promo code to get the discount we would still get our normal amount of pay from the room. I do like the gift cards because the inn doesn't need to keep track of any gift certificates handed out. We no longer offer our own gift certificates. It is a pain to keep those on the books and have them floating out there not knowing if they will redeem them or not. This way I just issue a gift card and forget about it.

I remember thinking that. Thinking it out, working it out in my mind. Then thought - BUT if someone wants to BOOK the most expensive room, I am out even more $$.
So what did I do? (this is with a BOGO offer I am on) I just put the stipulations for midweek travel only and hop they book more than one night. SO far that has ocurred a couple times with that offer. I let them choose the room.
.

Hi All,
The promotion is indeed for the inns that are in the online reservation program - as some have referred to as "the green button." The promo though comes from BB.com - we take $50 off the final price - we do not ask for additional discounts from the inn. This is the same as our summer gas promo that we ran. We gave the consumer $50 back and did not ask for additional discounts from the inns.
Some inns feature midweek promotions on their own - without being bookable through us. Those would not qualify, and we would link consumers to the inns for that additional pricing.
I know it can be a little confusing to consumers, but with so many different booking engines that people use, some properties in the online reservation program, some not, etc. - it is hard to make it really clean. What we are trying to do though is focus on midweek travel this fall as the consumer leisure market seems to be hurting lately.
Hope that helps to explain it,
JB
.

Clarify for me: "You" took $50 off the price. This means it came out of the funds that you collected on behalf of the inn/B&B through your reservation system for a stay and was deducted from what the inn ultimately received for that reservation? It's not like this $50 came out of bandb.com's pocket? This is in addtion to the monies paid by the inn for this reservation system.
An innkeeper would have to specify that this promotion was not good with any other discount being offered at the same time as the reservation, I would imagine. People will try & get something for nothing.

 

[JBanczak]

Hi Samster,
The $50 is not actually deducted from what the inn received. The inn receives the same amount the day before the promo started, or the day after it started. The $50 comes out of our pocket. As far as attracting the "wrong" people, we've certainly heard that point before and understand how it is a real issue. We really get it from both sides - a lot of innkeepers ask us what we are doing to get new folks to stay at B&B's, and what we are doing to help stimulate midweek/business demand since that is one area where a lot of B&B's seem to have vacancies.
We don't believe that B&B's are just about price - but price certainly is a factor. Countless B&B's run discounts and specials, and even five-star hotel chains like Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton offer all kinds of special rates. Ideally we'd like to get that midweek Hyatt or Hilton customer to give a B&B a try so that their eyes open up to how great it is to stay at a B&B - then they'll become repeats, tell their friends, and help expand the market. In all of our marketing, we try to use upscale imagery, rich content, etc. to convey the luxury aspect of the stays that our member properties offer.