John Burke <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

<...snip...>

>As an aside, perhaps someone out there in the ether knows how these
>reservation systems work and can explain how even though both
conference
>hotels told me (their web sites AND 800-number reservation centers)
that
>they had no rooms available 8/10-8/15 at any price, I was able to book
a
>room through expedia.com at the headquarters hotel for less than the
>conference rate.
>
> John Burke

Having programmed one of these systems for the HP3000 for European
customers, generally it works:
30% of rooms available to Internet
30% of rooms available to 800# reservation systems
30% of rooms available to brokers (expedia, etc.)
10% of rooms reserved to front desk

That's why the first three can all say no rooms available, but the
front desk clerk can get you a room in a "fully booked" hotel.

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