Ground Floor Theatre
Hotel's Outrageous Formula One Rates
RECEIVED Tue., July 31, 2012
Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my disappointment, almost outrage, at the rates I find that Austin area property and hotel owners are seeing fit to charge during the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix weekend in November.
On average, I find the markup to be 400%! I understand a full, nondiscounted or even a premium rate being charged, but an increase of four times the normal rate is just unreasonable.
I spent almost $700 on tickets for the race. And I could certainly afford to pay the inflated lodging rates in Austin. But I will take my money and spend it elsewhere - not just on lodging, but meals, gas, other entertainment, and anything else I purchase – even as far as San Antonio, which is only an hour away. I'd much rather stay in, and contribute to the economy of, Austin - but I don't want to feel cheated or taken advantage of. I intend to encourage, via social media, others traveling to the race to look for alternatives to Austin – to stay elsewhere and to be in Austin just for the race events themselves.
I don't mind paying a premium, but I don't want to feel raped.
I am writing to express my disappointment, almost outrage, at the rates I find that Austin area property and hotel owners are seeing fit to charge during the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix weekend in November.
On average, I find the markup to be 400%! I understand a full, nondiscounted or even a premium rate being charged, but an increase of four times the normal rate is just unreasonable.
I spent almost $700 on tickets for the race. And I could certainly afford to pay the inflated lodging rates in Austin. But I will take my money and spend it elsewhere - not just on lodging, but meals, gas, other entertainment, and anything else I purchase – even as far as San Antonio, which is only an hour away. I'd much rather stay in, and contribute to the economy of, Austin - but I don't want to feel cheated or taken advantage of. I intend to encourage, via social media, others traveling to the race to look for alternatives to Austin – to stay elsewhere and to be in Austin just for the race events themselves.
I don't mind paying a premium, but I don't want to feel raped.
Respectfully,
Romy Kapoor
Atlanta
Romy Kapoor
Atlanta