Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors” • Hacker News Board

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#521

Post by ericmay » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 2:48 AM UTC

gmokki wrote: post #494

ericmay wrote: post #418

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think maybe what happens is they tap your cards fully possible authorization limit and if you end up trying to get gas multiple times in a short time period (24/48 hours) you can't use your card because they can't hit it for the full limit.

The gas station is supposed to release the authorization after the real payment clears when you stop the pump. So they should not pile up even if you do many visits in short period of time. In Finland the has pump firsts ask you to choose how big an authorization you want to do when you enter your card to the slot. It will not allow you to pump more than that and the authorization is then replaced by real charge befo…

I think that's what the problem was in France specifically, the authorizations don't clear as you expect and then your credit card authorization limit gets hit and when you go somewhere else to get gas and use the same kind, it gets mysteriously declined.

I've only had this specific problem in France. Funny enough my American Express cards worked better than my Visa or Mastercard did.

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#522

Post by LoveMortuus » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 4:46 AM UTC

disgruntledphd2 wrote: post #470

maccard wrote: post #394

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Europe, UK and Ireland it’s not an actual credit card - a debit card is perfectly acceptable and normal.

Although it's better to use a credit card if possible as they put a rather large hold on it, which can wipe out your balance.

I had that happen in Portugal when I was refueling my scooter, the Galp gas station tired to take 100€, which I didn't have to it took everything it could, but then said that I don't have enough money to pay, even though it was less than 10€... I had to pay with cash and I didn't see the money that was taken on my debit card for almost a month...

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#523

Post by goopypoop » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 7:53 AM UTC

spauldo wrote: post #520

goopypoop wrote: post #519

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually I was hoping to make you uncomfortable by pointing out that you know you don't even really want to smoke

That's quite some projection you have going on there. I quite enjoy smoking, for your information. It's inconvenient at times, but so is everything I enjoy. The "all smokers secretly want to quit" routine is another tale for the gullible.

What do you enjoy about smoking?

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#524

Post by spauldo » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 8:35 AM UTC

goopypoop wrote: post #523

spauldo wrote: post #520

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's quite some projection you have going on there. I quite enjoy smoking, for your information. It's inconvenient at times, but so is everything I enjoy. The "all smokers secretly want to quit" routine is another tale for the gullible.

What do you enjoy about smoking?

Why not ask someone who actually likes you? I'm not the only smoker who enjoys it.

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#525

Post by goopypoop » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 9:39 AM UTC

spauldo wrote: post #524

goopypoop wrote: post #523

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What do you enjoy about smoking?

Why not ask someone who actually likes you? I'm not the only smoker who enjoys it.

Because you're special

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#526

Post by ornornor » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 12:39 PM UTC

oatmeal1 wrote: post #449

scoofy wrote: post #390

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This kind of thing is so penny smart, pound foolish. If I ever see that sign, it's immediately going on my Instagram, telling everyone I know to never stay at such a place. I'm still never staying at AirBnB's when it actually matters because they completely screwed over my gf when she booked a bachelorette party and the owner literally sold the property without cancelling the reservation and the new owner rebooked th…

Airbnb and Hertz are two companies in an ever-lasting battle to prove who hates their customer more.

Yep, never renting another Hertz car and avoiding Airbnb like the plague when I travel due to consistently poor customer service and abysmal experiences with them. If you hate me, book me an airbnb and a hertz car to get to it.

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#527

Post by make3 » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 4:10 PM UTC

lxgr wrote: post #132

There has got to be a way to penalize companies for attempting this kind of thing. Even just removing the charge without discussion isn't enough, as some people will be traveling on a corporate card they don't necessarily monitor closely, will confuse the charge for something else etc. Otherwise, I'd love to be able to preemptively and without any prior communication charge (way in excess of the room rate, of course!…

Well, if you had kept Lina Khan at the head of the FTC and not elected Trump, the country could work on continuing to improve consumer protections.

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#528

Post by jwr » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 11:20 PM UTC

danpalmer wrote: post #447

jwr wrote: post #397

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am amazed that hotels are still stuck in this old mindset of charging exorbitant amounts to some customers (unpleasant to customers) rather than providing a good service to all customers (good for customers). If I knew that a hotel chain will have my room fridge stocked with beer at reasonable prices (small markup or even no markup, because this does not need to be a revenue stream!), I would pick that hotel every…

The problem is that renting rooms is pretty low margin. Hotels typically need to pull up the average margin with addons like this to make the business worthwhile.

Well why not just post higher prices with the assurance of "we will not try to screw you over at every step"?

I would be perfectly OK with that.

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#529

Post by xkq4hiupload » Wed, Jul 23, 2025, 7:20 PM UTC

lxgr wrote: post #132

There has got to be a way to penalize companies for attempting this kind of thing. Even just removing the charge without discussion isn't enough, as some people will be traveling on a corporate card they don't necessarily monitor closely, will confuse the charge for something else etc. Otherwise, I'd love to be able to preemptively and without any prior communication charge (way in excess of the room rate, of course!…

This is what the federal consumer protection board was created and designed for, but now all of that has gone when this administration fired them and closed it.

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#530

Post by account42 » Thu, Jul 24, 2025, 3:55 PM UTC

blibble wrote: post #354

hansvm wrote: post #148

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The big problem is the power imbalance. There's a reason they start your stay by putting a hold on a credit card. And even if you could charge them, they can afford a legal battle better than you.

what power imbalance? obviously if you give them cash deposit there's not much you can do, but with a credit card you can easily dispute the transaction I always pay my bills in full and on time, but if a merchant tries giving me the run around I will simply dispute the transaction and then the pain moves entirely to them with a credit card the power imbalance is entirely in the consumer's favour

This is the theory but in practice vendors can an often do retaliate by refusing to do business with you until you pay up - and since competition is barely existing in many instances that's going to be much more pain for the consumer than a credit card dispute is for the vendor.