Korean Job Discussion Forums

[GwangjuParents]

Is it considered 'okay' in large int'l chain hotels to have one rate/package that is only available for local citizens (and not available to non-citizens)???

[morrisonhotel]

Simply put, no, it's not okay. Which large chain? I worked for one in the UK for quite some time and our prices were the same for everyone.

[curiousaboutkorea]

I'm not saying it's okay, but I think one or two of the big hotels in Seoul did it on Chuseok

[ilovebdt]

I have experienced this in South America. Although, I agree it is not acceptable.

ilovebdt

[GwangjuParents]

I won't name the hotel, but let's just say it's a major American one in Seoul.

I booked a room for Xmas day a few weeks ago. All is fine.

Get a phone call today saying the 'room package deal' I booked is for Koreans only, and that it was a mistake that I got it.

So I hand the phone to my K-wife and we change the reservation to her name, and they were like "okay, no problem! You can keep the package deal"

Bizarre to say the least.

And this is international American chain... not dippy Kim's Love Motel out in the sticks.

[morrisonhotel]

^ Complain to head office.

[Forever]

It might NOT be a BIG American chain Hotel afterall.

Many Korean hotels just name their hotel after a "famous" name - such as "Hilton" "Ambassador" or "Marriot"

but in fact they have nothing to do with the "Real Hilton or Marriot" hotel chains.

Their is an actual law-suit happening now with the "Hilton company" suing the "Hilton hotel" in Busan - because it has nothing to do with their company.

[cdninkorea]

I was discriminated at the Ritz-Carlton hotel at Chuseok myself. Wrote a letter of complaint to head office and got an apology call from the manager explaining the hotel employee was mistaken and it won't happen to anyone again. I tried searching for it but I couldn't find it and am in a hurry. But search for it!

[victorology]

They do this in Hawaii.

Hawaii residents get a kama'aina rate (space available) at Hawaii hotels.

Believe it or not, sometimes foreigners get deals on hotels. Last year, foreigners didn't have to pay the VAT while Koreans and Korean residents had to. Also, a friend of mine visited last year and got a great deal at a large hotel that was only available for visitors.

I believe Jeju residents get access to cheaper flights and they can stay at Jeju hotels at discounted rates while other Korean citizens can't.

I don't understand what the big deal is.

[GwangjuParents]

It's not a big deal at all, but it's troubling because if it weren't for my K-wife, I probably would have lost the room... right before Xmas.


Does anyone have Amnesty International's mailing address?

[curiousaboutkorea]

Name and shame, please. Why not mention their name?

[GwangjuParents]

Well, I'll lodge a complaint with their HQ before I start painting the manager's license plate number on the street in front of the hotel...

[ChilgokBlackHole]

[hogwonguy1979]

well IT IS a problem if the discriminate against long term foreigners (i.e. us who have arc's) that proves we arent tourists here trying to get a local rate.

its sort of like say Disney World offering discounts for Florida residents (they do when you present a valid Florida drivers license) all the hotels should be asking for is proof of korean residency to get the deal. we all wouldnt have a problem if they said no deal to anybody without a korean id no matter what?

thats where we should be focusing this battle on