Is It Ethical?

[@Yehuda]

It's obvious that per the T&C's you can't resell. Invited guests mean you can bring your wife, kids and friends along with you.

In terms of what they can limit, they are a private company offering you a service and can limit whatever they want (as long as they are not discriminating).
There is a spectrum of 'speculative.' I assume they are trying to exclude you from making a booking you don't plan on using at all. The rest of the spectrum is hard to quantify.

I hear the points you made. My next Q is why do they "allow" selling? Why don't hotels make the reservation holder check in? Why do they allow this 'second guest' shtick?

[mb1]

I hear the points you made. My next Q is why do they "allow" selling? Why don't hotels make the reservation holder check in? Why do they allow this 'second guest' shtick?

My guess is that they try to make the terms as "fair and reasonable" as possible in order to have an enforceable contract.

[Ergel]

They "allow" you to sell as not to inconvenience legitimate guests. Let's say you have a reservation under your name but your wife actually will arrive at the hotel first. How annoying would it be for you to have to go with her to check in

[@Yehuda]

They "allow" you to sell as not to inconvenience legitimate guests. Let's say you have a reservation under your name but your wife actually will arrive at the hotel first. How annoying would it be for you to have to go with her to check in

Then they should make a note to check that at some point you showed up at the hotel also.

[Ergel]

And how would they check? Knock on your door?

[@Yehuda]

And how would they check? Knock on your door?

Perhaps tell the person checking in originally, that the main ressy holder will have to stop by the desk when they arrive, or at checkout, or sometime before checkout, etc. If that doesn't happen, you will be subject to X fees.

[Ergel]

Perhaps tell the person checking in originally, that the main ressy holder will have to stop by the desk when they arrive, or at checkout, or sometime before checkout, etc. If that doesn't happen, you will be subject to X fees.

They "allow" you to sell as not to inconvenience legitimate guests.

[Hirshthg]

First of all, in a contract one is allowed to put in whatever they want, as long as the action isn't restricted by some law. Secondly, I would find reserving a room you don't actually plan to stay in as improper to the degree that one could reasonable object to it.

[@Yehuda]

Here's a fun one:

Clicking, "I have read and accept the Terms & Conditions."

[CS91]

Here's a fun one:

Clicking, "I have read and accept the Terms & Conditions."

Whole discussion in contract law if those are always enforceable because sometimes the companies cannot reasonably expect people to read them...

[Achas Veachas]

Here's a fun one:

Clicking, "I have read and accept the Terms & Conditions."

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/03/reading-the-privacy-policies-you-encounter-in-a-year-would-take-76-work-days/253851/

[yitrap]

Here's a fun one:

Clicking, "I have read and accept the Terms & Conditions."

[@Yehuda]

But it's still a lie to click and in effect "say" that you read to the T&C.

[Achas Veachas]

But it's still a lie to click and in effect "say" that you read to the T&C.

Not if you [mentally] add quotation marks and say you read "the terms and conditions"...

[@Yehuda]

Not if you [mentally] add quotation marks and say you read "the terms and conditions"...

alol

[@Yehuda]

A person booked an award reservation at a hotel that is not yet open (but was open for bookings) and then cancelled it shortly thereafter. The hotel calls and says there will be a delay in the hotel's opening, and they offer points compensation for having to cancel the stay. For whatever reason, the system doesn't see that the reservation was already cancelled. Is it ethical... to take the compensation points?

Man these situations play games with my mind.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

A person booked an award reservation at a hotel that is not yet open (but was open for bookings) and then cancelled it shortly thereafter. The hotel calls and says there will be a delay in the hotel's opening, and they offer points compensation for having to cancel the stay. For whatever reason, the system doesn't see that the reservation was already cancelled. Is it ethical... to take the compensation points?

Man these situations play games with my mind.

That's a tough one but I will say unethical. How about this one that did happen. Booked a hotel hoping it would not open on time so you get compensated. If it did open on time you just cancel.

[@Yehuda]

That's a tough one but I will say unethical. How about this one that did happen. Booked a hotel hoping it would not open on time so you get compensated. If it did open on time you just cancel.

Well, what happened? Did it open on time or not?

[ChaimMoskowitz]

Well, what happened? Did it open on time or not?

Nope and received three nights to use later. It wasn't me. 

[@Yehuda]

Nope and received three nights to use later. It wasn't me. 

Why is your scenario different than my scenario? I mean yes, technically, one person had intention to earn compensation and the other didn't but is getting compensation for something he doesn't deserve, but the concept is generally the same.

(PS In the situation I proposed, they also offered that if the guest chooses to reschedule the trip, they will pay for up to $300 in airfare changes. He did not yet book airfare, but could possibly try to get another $300 out of them depending on how much proof they ask for in regards to airfare receipts.)