LoyaltyLobby
  • News
  • Hotel Promos
    • Accor
    • Best Western
    • Radisson Rewards
    • Choice
    • Fairmont
    • Hilton
    • World of Hyatt
    • IHG Rewards
    • Marriott
    • Ritz-Carlton
    • Starwood
    • Wyndham Rewards
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us
  • Blog View
  •  
LoyaltyLobby
  • News
  • Hotel Promos
    • Accor
    • Best Western
    • Radisson Rewards
    • Choice
    • Fairmont
    • Hilton
    • World of Hyatt
    • IHG Rewards
    • Marriott
    • Ritz-Carlton
    • Starwood
    • Wyndham Rewards
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us
  • Blog View
  •  
LoyaltyLobby
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT

Whine Wednesdays: Hotels Scamming TripAdvisor Reviews Case W Bogota

by John Ollila
February 24, 2021
Reading Time: 4 mins read
15

Some people rely on TripAdvisor reviews when choosing hotels that is problematic because the platform is plagued with fake reviews (paid positive), while hotels try to suppress critical ones.

Whine Wednesdays this week revisits W Bogota that was featured on our recent currency scam piece that they used to inflate hotel rates by 10%+.

Here’s what transpired at the hotel:

Hotels Scamming With Room Rates – Hilton & Marriott Hotels In Colombia

ADVERTISEMENT

Here’s an email that I received from TripAdvisor:

Someone at the hotel (social media manager/associate) had probably flagged the review, and TripAdvisor would then remove it if I don’t take any action.

I emailed the hotel’s General Manager EDUARDO F. YOSHIMOTO that I found this practice distasteful and didn’t receive a reply.

Here video review of the suite I had at the W Bogota:

Here’s our previous piece about hotels scamming their Tripadvisor Reviews:

TripAdvisor

Hotels “Managing” (Scamming) Their TripAdvisor Reviews

Australian court fines hotel $3M for “managing” their reviews:

Meriton Fine

Australian Court Fines Hotelier $3 Million For “Managing” TripAdvisor Reviews

Another case from Doha:

Hotels Gaming TripAdvisor Rankings Case W Doha U

Hotel Managing TripAdvisor Reviews Case: W Doha (Read Getting Critical Deleted)

A reader had trouble publishing critical reviews on TripAdvisor:

TripAdvisor

Reader Question: TripAdvisor Censoring Critical Reviews?

Sheraton management was hostile to readers comment:

Sheraton Dubrovnik

Reader Comment: Management Hostile To TripAdvisor Reviews Case Sheraton Dubrovnik

There is even a scientific study done from hotel reviews:

Mirage ResortThe Economist: Hotel Reviews On Travel Websites Are Largely Unrealistic!

Conclusion

The hotel solicits reviews by putting the card with a reminder of TripAdvisor inside the envelope with your folio.

They then don’t automatically post the stay so that you don’t get the Marriott’s post-stay survey (smart action if they know that you were unhappy), of which results are often tied to GMs bonuses.

They then try to get critical reviews removed that expose the scam that the hotel is running, warning other guests to pay attention to the charges.

Unfortunately, Mr. Eduardo Yashimoto feels that this otherwise good to great hotel needs to take these actions, which I consider unethical and possibly illegal (the currency scam).

These hotels will eventually all fail. The guests should have a realistic view of what they can expect at the property rather than only ravingly positive ones.

TripAdvisor also has an issue. They collect most of their revenue from the fees they charge from hotels (you are the product). It is not in their best interest to have critical reviews of their partners that could suppress bookings on the platform.

Previous Post

Airfare of the Day [Business Class] AVIANCA New York to Sao Paulo from $816

Next Post

LAST CALL: United Airlines Buy MileagePlus Miles 100% Bonus Sale Until February 25, 2021

Related Articles

Suite Saturdays: Lake Front Junior Suite @ The Ritz Carlton – Hotel de la Paix, Geneva

Suite Saturdays: Lake Front Junior Suite @ The Ritz Carlton – Hotel de la Paix, Geneva

Freddo Zabaleta
August 13, 2022

Welcome to our weekly video review on hotel suites and rooms around the world! This week’s edition features the Lake...

American Express Design Of New Marriott Bonvoy Premium Card “BEVY” Leaked

American Express Design Of New Marriott Bonvoy Premium Card “BEVY” Leaked

Sebastian Powell
August 13, 2022
3

A few months ago, Marriott registered several new trademarks pertaining to their credit card portfolio and this week, there was...

Ritz-Carlton Cancun Drops Its Flag Effective August 31, 2022

Kempinski Taking Over Ritz-Carlton Cancun On September 1, 2022

John Ollila
August 12, 2022
2

The European hotelier, Kempinski, announced on Wednesday that it would take over the current Ritz-Carlton Cancun on September 1, 2022....

Upgrade Your Travel IQ

Make the most of your travel with our free and daily newsletter with the latest hotel and airline news and promotions.

We do not sell or share email addresses.

ADVERTISEMENT

Trending

Japan (1): How I Ended Up Spending Six Months In Japan
Travel News

Japan Opens eVISA Applications For Citizens Of The US & Canada On August 18, 2022

August 10, 2022
Hilton Go Employee And Friends & Family Rate Plans
Hilton Honors

Hilton Go Employee And Friends & Family Rate Plans

July 25, 2021
Thailand Is Considering To Bring Back The 45-Day Visa Exemption Stamp
Thailand

Thailand Is Considering To Bring Back The 45-Day Visa Exemption Stamp

August 12, 2022
American Express Design Of New Marriott Bonvoy Premium Card “BEVY” Leaked
Marriott Bonvoy

American Express Design Of New Marriott Bonvoy Premium Card “BEVY” Leaked

August 13, 2022
IHG Confirmable Suite Upgrade Experience Case: InterContinental Paris Le Grand
IHG Rewards Club

IHG Confirmable Suite Upgrade Experience Case: InterContinental Paris Le Grand

August 12, 2022

Top Categories

  • IHG Rewards Club
  • Marriott Bonvoy
  • Hilton Honors
  • Accor ALL
  • Airfare Of The Day
  • Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG)
  • Hyatt – World of Hyatt
  • American Airlines – AAdvantage
  • Travel News
  • United Airlines – Mileage Plus
ADVERTISEMENT

All Categories

In Case You Missed It

It’s Back: Air France-KLM Flying Blue Buy Miles 100% Bonus Sale Through August 18, 2022

It’s Back: Air France-KLM Flying Blue Buy Miles 100% Bonus Sale Through August 18, 2022

August 7, 2022
Radisson Rewards for Business Double Points In Asia-Pacific January 1 – May 31, 2021

Radisson Rewards Up To 5,000 Bonus Points Through September 30, 2022 (Book By August 31)

August 9, 2022
American Express Design Of New Marriott Bonvoy Premium Card “BEVY” Leaked

American Express Design Of New Marriott Bonvoy Premium Card “BEVY” Leaked

August 13, 2022
Radisson Rewards 2,000 Bonus Points For Stays At New Hotels Through June 30, 2024

Radisson Rewards 2,000 Bonus Points For Stays At New Hotels Through June 30, 2024

August 10, 2022
Shangri-La Golden Circle Points To Miles 30% Conversion Bonus Through August 31, 2022

Shangri-La Golden Circle Points To Miles 30% Conversion Bonus Through August 31, 2022

August 12, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT

Since 2011, we have been helping millions of visitors like you untangle travel loyalty programs for free upgrades, flights and hotel nights.

Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram

Site Navigation

  • About LoyaltyLobby
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Airfares
  • Contact Us

Hotel Promotions

  • Accor
  • Hilton
  • IHG Rewards
  • Marriott
  • World of Hyatt

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Our free daily newsletter sends you the latest information on hotel and airline programs.

We do not share or sell email addresses.

Site & Contents ©2011-2022 LoyaltyLobby.com
Terms of Use & Privacy Policy

  • News
  • Hotel Promotions
    • Accor
    • Best Western
    • Choice
    • Fairmont
    • Hilton
    • IHG Rewards
    • Marriott
    • Radisson Rewards
    • Ritz-Carlton
    • Starwood
    • World of Hyatt
    • Wyndham Rewards
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us
  • Blog View
No Result
View All Result

© 2011–2021 LoyaltyLobby.com - Site & Contents