|
The Academy has been alerted that unauthorized housing companies (called hotel “poachers”) have been contacting registered attendees and exhibitors offering cheaper rates at hotels in the Academy block. This practice, also known as “room pirating”, is a scam that all convention attendees should be aware of in order to avoid passing along personal and financial information.
How hotel poachers book rooms and attempt to get your money:
Most poaching agencies do not have a contract with any hotels for room blocks. They will contact a housing wholesaler, such as Expedia, Priceline, etc.; to see if rooms are available that they can mark up to be resold to unsuspecting guests. Generally, they cannot get a large block of rooms; only one or two at a time, if any at all.
Only Experient, Inc., the Academy’s contracted registration and housing company can book within the Academy room block and they will never contact you to make a hotel reservation. Experient will only contact you upon your request.
Hotel poachers will claim to be an Academy “partner” or the “official housing company” and will sometimes ask that your room be paid in full, up front. A one-night deposit isn’t enough; they want it all and for every room you book, when you book.
If the hotel determines a convention attendee has been solicited or contacted by a legitimate wholesaler (Expedia, Priceline, etc.) those rooms may be canceled or increased in rate to match or exceed the group rate.
What we do, and what you can do, to avoid hotel poachers
Years in advance of each AudiologyNOW!, the Academy negotiates contracts with hotels to include clauses to protect our attendees should the hotel oversell the rooms or any other issues arise with reservations. Rooms reserved outside of the Academy block do not have official contracts with the Academy; therefore, we are unable to help if any issues arise.
- Be aware that Experient, Inc. is the only registration and housing company for the Academy and they will never contact you to make a hotel reservation. Experient will only contact you upon your request.
- Trust your instincts and the old adage: If it sounds too good to be true then it most likely is.
- If you are ever unsure whether or not something is legitimate, contact us first before providing your personal information, company information, or any financial information.
If you receive an un-requested call or email from any company that is not our official housing provider, contact us immediately.
|
