Just a question for everyone: My daughter has a tournament next month in which we are supposed to book a hotel through the tournament website. The hotel through this website is overpriced and so we booked the same hotel through Expedia at a much cheaper price. Now we're getting emails from the tournament saying our kid might not play because we haven't booked through their website. Is this real? Or just some stupid threat to get more money out of us?
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Tournament organizers work with travel companies to put rooms aside for the player participating in the tournaments. This ensures the teams won't have too far to travel and ensure the games run smoothly on time. When the teams sign up for the tournaments, they agree by the Organizer's rules to attend; one of which is that they will use their designated travel agency.Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
So, I suppose it's plausible they will keep the player from playing. I doubt it will really happen, but the Club could be fined or shamed, I suppose. -
Been doing this for 15 years (3 kids) never was a huge issueOriginally posted by Unregistered View Post
Hotels were good and usually close to the fields, pricing was always reasonable and the teams got to stay together which was fun for them and the parents
As long as your team uses the hotel room block they won’t know if your particular kid isn’t thereComment
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your kid must be young. Welcome to the youth soccer travel con. It is terrible. So called travel professionals arrange group travel rates that are MORE then are available to the general public rather then less. Go figure. My player could do better. it is a scam.Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
rebook your reasonable rate in a name different form your player. Tell the tournament that you are staying with relatives and enjoy.Comment
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In the last 10 years of being a team manager we have only been called out once for not using the event hotel. USYSA Regionals in Rhode Island rebooked us and did not make the correct notes. Mid-way through the event I got a call that we were going to be released from the event for not using the authorized hotel. It was cleared up quickly, but no other event has actually gone that far.
We have done Surf Cup, Jeff Cup, Potomac, Manhattan, etc.
One word of caution, never try to book your own for a Disney event, they are real bad!Comment
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Was, is and always will be a scam. 99.9 percent of these book through us events only require up to say 10 rooms if its the entire organization or multiple teams are going.
Most only do 2 double beds. That is it.
If you call the travel company directly they will tell you this and will have a list of other hotels for the tournament in the area.
Your kid will always play.Comment
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When I managed teams and had to deal with this issue I was told that most tournaments want to see you've booked 10 or so rooms through their partner. I've never heard of a team being denied games because of it. Since most times there's enough for that minimum number - because they do tend to get the closer hotels locked in - then a few stragglers won't matter. We've done both - partner hotel or did our own thing - depending on locations, family in the area etc.
the other consideration is it's way more fun for the team to stay together in the same place. Team bonding is important, it's good for the parents to get to know each other and you can always get your kid a ride to a game if need be. If you're managing two kids at the same event it can be a life saver.
And bend over if you're planning on a long soccer run with your kids. $$$$ Only gets worse.Comment
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No chance, you are DEAD WRONG (must be a club or tournament admin) .... Organizers work with travel companies to assure you stay in their accommodations so they get additional money per room per night. They could care less about you, your family, your accommodations, the location, or the cost. We have stayed more than an hour away from tournament sites in dumpy, overpriced hotels .... but they made an extra $20 per night from our 3 night stay .... even though we could have paid $50 less per night and stayed within 20 minutes of the fields.Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
That said, sometimes, they are nuts about this rule. Had a family travel to FL for the Sanford event and their kid did not play in the games because the coach benched her .... she had invited numerous college coaches coming to see her. Thank Mick, you doosh!Comment
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Nope, neither...just my experience and discussions.Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
Personally, never had an issue with a hotel. I don't use Expedia, but always found them cheaper (slightly) than going to the hotel site itself and always found them to be close by.
Sorry if I don't jump onboard with the overwhelmingly negative commentary that is so prevalent on the site.Comment
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If that is your experience then you must be new ... your kid U10 or U11?Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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U15. Played in tournaments in FL, NC, OH, KS, VA, NJ, CO, CA, OR, AZ, IN.Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
Key is to have someone with their crap together who can get in when the first release them and get your pick.Comment
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As a team manager I have been harangued by tournament organizers (who usually harangue the club first) about the rooms. Most times it was just that families were slow to book but eventually did. My guess is once we hit the 10 room figure (which a travel agency once told me also) it was no longer an issue. I've "heard" of teams getting kicked out but who knows if it an urban legend or not. My main concern is that the hotel works for the families in terms of location (near fields, restaurant options etc), isn't too pricey (there's usually plenty of options) and hopefully has free breakfast (way easier on everyone).Comment
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Well said. Plus, these are kids and most would like to be with their teammates vs. stuck in the room 30 miles away with mom & dad. Makes it easier for the coach as well that he isn't waiting for kids from all over, far from home, to arrive so he can start warmups.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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I would just like to know if tournaments really do disqualify clubs/teams that do not book through specific tournament-approved hotels. I know the threat is definitely stated in the small print, but do they actually go through with it?Comment
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