Anyone notice Instant Upgrade glitches after last maintenance?

[keno999]

If there aren't accessible units involved, they work. Were there any in your scenario?
I've also selected an accessible unit (that the instant upgrade didn't work on) and selected to upgrade if something came available, and it upgraded overnight.

No accessible units.

 

[HitchHiker71]

Sure.... I just picked somewhere I felt pretty comfortable there would be a slew of upgrades available (as this could change any time)....

Star Island, June 10-12, was a good guess (I'll also add, in this scenario upgrading to a 3 Bedroom Mobility doesn't make sense, either - the path in my earlier screenshots was possibly a valid path):

View attachment 91883

There are 13 rooms available, here's the top of the list of what is available:
View attachment 91884

Select to book the 1 Bedroom Deluxe - Mobility (and I'm offered an instant upgrade to a 2 BR Lockoff or a 3 BR Deluxe - Mobility
View attachment 91885

I'm not able to book either selection:
View attachment 91886

View attachment 91887

And yet... the rooms are available if you book directly (not trying to instant upgrade):
View attachment 91888


View attachment 91889
A VC wasn't able to do it for me either (the other day when I called). I'm not sure they really understood the issue, but they said they'd report it.

AND...I don't know why one or these is step 3 and one step 4 (to complete booking), I was going to try to figure it out. But as I often do when backing out of a booking, I get this (usually I can if I use the back arrow, but not always). This time is a not always
View attachment 91890

Hope this helps. The upgrade issue is preventing upgrades when accessible units are involved. Maybe not that many people try to? It does prevent VIPS from getting full benefits they should be getting. I appreciate your help, @HitchHiker71, let me know if you need anything further.

Thanks!!

Thanks for posting the details - issue reported to Wyndham IT just now - I'll follow up within this thread with any updates I receive.

 

[HitchHiker71]

I notices some strange upgrade options, but I didn't try to book then. Thanks for giving me a heads up they are not working, but i need some to work in the next 2 weeks. Think it might get fixed by then? Likely NOT.

Typically there are only 1-2 release sprints per month - unless they do an out of band update. I highly doubt it'll be fixed within the next two weeks unless this issue has already been reported and a fix has already been coded and is scheduled for release in the next bug sprint.

 

[Sandy VDH]

If there aren't accessible units involved, they work. Were there any in your scenario?
I've also selected an accessible unit (that the instant upgrade didn't work on) and selected to upgrade if something came available, and it upgraded overnight.

I agree with this Sandi, adding accessible to the search breaks the auto upgrade process. Stinks, if the unit you want is accessible.

 

[HitchHiker71]

Thanks for posting the details - issue reported to Wyndham IT just now - I'll follow up within this thread with any updates I receive.

Wyndham IT was able to repro the reported issue and identify a fix. The intended fix should release the fix in mid-May sprint - subject to change of course.

 

[chapjim]

Any chance they'll ever activate the "Do not challenge" check box?

 

[HitchHiker71]

Any chance they'll ever activate the "Do not challenge" check box?

It already works - there are issues with the third party service being used mostly surrounding certain Apple devices.

 

[chapjim]

It already works - there are issues with the third party service being used mostly surrounding certain Apple devices.

Knowing that, I added Wyndham's URL to the list of Sites allowed to use third-party cookies. That did it!

Thanks!

​

 

[HitchHiker71]

Knowing that, I added Wyndham's URL to the list of Sites allowed to use third-party cookies. That did it!

Thanks!

​

Yeah last time I checked at least - they use OKTA for their identity/authentication services for the website.

 

[WyndhamBarter]

Knowing that, I added Wyndham's URL to the list of Sites allowed to use third-party cookies. That did it!

Thanks!

​

This worked for me just now on iPadOS/Chrome!! Can’t wait to get home and
try it on my MacBook!

What’s it been I’ve been waiting since MFA was foisted on us? Five years??

Thanks *very* much Jim and @HitchHiker71 !!

(btw I had to allow all “Cross-Website Tracking” - iPadOS/Chrome doesn’t seem
to have fine control per website.)

(pps edit - the “do not challenge…again” checkbox doesn’t even appear for me under
Safari; so this fix is sadly not even applicable there.)

 

[paxsarah]

(btw I had to allow all “Cross-Website Tracking” - iPadOS/Chrome doesn’t seem
to have fine control per website.)

omg omg this totally worked! Such a minor but persistent annoyance, gone!

 

[WyndhamBarter]

I’ve been using the Microsoft Edge browser on my Macbook for
a few years now because it doesn’t trigger this annoyance by default.
Wyndham is the only thing I normally use Edge for on the Mac.

 

[Pink_Warrior]

@HitchHiker71

I'm not sure if this is new or not, but I started having an issue yesterday. I was trying to book something for tomorrow. I got the warning that I already had a reservation within 14 days in the owner's name (mine) but it would not allow me to change to a different owner. It just stayed grayed out. However I could physically log in under a different owner's name and make the reservation that way. Of course then there was NO LONGER AVAILABLE which has now turned into the norm.

But it would be great if they would fix it when you go to upgrade and you get the "Sorry" warning. Unless you actually book the smaller unit anyway, you get locked into the "multiple transaction" pergatory.

 

[paxsarah]

@HitchHiker71

I'm not sure if this is new or not, but I started having an issue yesterday. I was trying to book something for tomorrow. I got the warning that I already had a reservation within 14 days in the owner's name (mine) but it would not allow me to change to a different owner. It just stayed grayed out. However I could physically log in under a different owner's name and make the reservation that way. Of course then there was NO LONGER AVAILABLE which has now turned into the norm.

But it would be great if they would fix it when you go to upgrade and you get the "Sorry" warning. Unless you actually book the smaller unit anyway, you get locked into the "multiple transaction" pergatory.

This sounds related to something I heard from an owner in a Facebook group a couple of days ago - that they were unable to change the name on an existing reservation to another owner (not a guest) in the last 48 hours before check-in. (And it was actually more than 48 hours, because she tried it 2 days ahead in the morning.) She tried it online first, and when she called she was told that the phone agents were also unable to do it, and the 48(+) hour limitation. That was the first I'd heard of any sort of limitation of changing a reservation name in that window for owners.

While it's not the exact scenario you're reporting, why should it matter that you've got another reservation booked within 14 days? And the part that lines up is that the new reservation you were trying to book was less than 48 hours from check-in, and you couldn't change to a different owner.

As I reacted to the FB post, I do understand that Wyndham has been trying to thwart renters who had been using last-minute guest certificates to try to workaround the owner priority dates - but I don't see any purpose for making it difficult to change a reservation between existing owners on an account. Just a month ago, I changed the name on a reservation to my husband the day before checking in because I realized that my plan was going to be to drop off him and one kid with the luggage, then park my car offsite two blocks away and walk back with the other kid. It would have been super silly if I couldn't have made that change (and it sounds like I couldn't have if it happened today).

 

[RENTER]

This sounds related to something I heard from an owner in a Facebook group a couple of days ago - that they were unable to change the name on an existing reservation to another owner (not a guest) in the last 48 hours before check-in. (And it was actually more than 48 hours, because she tried it 2 days ahead in the morning.) She tried it online first, and when she called she was told that the phone agents were also unable to do it, and the 48(+) hour limitation. That was the first I'd heard of any sort of limitation of changing a reservation name in that window for owners.

While it's not the exact scenario you're reporting, why should it matter that you've got another reservation booked within 14 days? And the part that lines up is that the new reservation you were trying to book was less than 48 hours from check-in, and you couldn't change to a different owner.
as
As I reacted to the FB post, I do understand that Wyndham has been trying to thwart renters who had been using last-minute guest certificates to try to workaround the owner priority dates - but I don't see any purpose for making it difficult to change a reservation between existing owners on an account. Just a month ago, I changed the name on a reservation to my husband the day before checking in because I realized that my plan was going to be to drop off him and one kid with the luggage, then park my car offsite two blocks away and walk back with the other kid. It would have been super silly if I couldn't have made that change (and it sounds like I couldn't have if it happened today).

I do not understand how last minute guest certificates can get you around the owner priority period. Is there a glitch in their system that people discovered that if you use a guest pass at the last minute their computer system does not pick it up as being in the owner priority period?

Also does this 48-hour period affect all reservations or just those in the owner priority period. I do last minute guest passes all the time but none during the owner priority period. I do them just before they come in case an emergency develops.

I just did one because a mother came down ill as they were driving to the resort and was admitted to the hospital. The reservation was in her name. I switched it to her sister who brought both of their children to the resort for a competition being held there.

If there is a glitch in their system that allows people to take advantage of last-minute guest passes that is unfair to those owners who have legit reasons to change the name at the last minute such as the original name on the reservation was delayed by the airline.

 

[Zeke_62]

We had a reservation start tonight at Grand Desert with arrival after 9pm (12 Eastern). Prior to 9pm, I was able to change the owner name. @Pink_Warrior I believe you could have changed the owner name on your existing reservation, then booked a new one all while logged in. Yes, it still would have taken some time, and possible lost the unit.

AFTER 9pm (12am Eastern), the reservation was blocked from all changes. Could not change the owner, could not add a guest. @RENTER If you have a unit rented, and the guest named on the guest certificate is delayed and you don't learn of it until after 12am Eastern, your guests are stuck. They would not be able to check in.

Many of the changes Wyndham has made to "stop" renting make zero sense. Jan mentioned that they are suspending all guest cert use on accounts when no one checks into a unit. Locking out changes to the traveler at 12am Eastern, which is 9pm on the west coast. Not allowing owner name change while booking within 48hours. etc. I'm sure we could come up with a dozen more things they have tried, thinking they are "disciplining" those that rent when I'm guessing they are mostly causing frustration, anger, angst, to traveling owners.

 

[Happy Hopian]

Congrats @HitchHiker71 that would be a massive fix that has been corrupted for years if they get in in the stream. Great work from someone who books lots of accessible units for disabled family member!
I have another request. Emerald Grande in Destin CONSTANTLY shows inventory that is not available. This is every year in peak times. I called over the years and I been able to get information from their in house Wyndham team that there IS inventory there but they don't know why it can't be booked as they know nothing about the retail booking system. This also use to happen at Bonnet Creek a lot but seems to have gotten fixed.

FWIW- my opinion and that of the local staff is that they are blocking 1 br and 2br (of which there are only two 2br units) to prevent an upgrade path. It doesn't otherwise make sense. More imporantly - if they want to block a unit one would think they could book it out to a ghost renter like "Wyndham Ghost" instead of leaving it in inventory, and marking it as not rentable which clearly throws off the whole inventory tracking and renting available system.

See below for images. You can see the 1br units are full in inventory. In the next image I have selected a random date spread in the available inventory. No matter what dates I click or try to book I always get the 'something unexpected happened' message. All the way to August where the inventory is so large it is green...and yet 'something unexpected happened' again there too as you can see in the timeline pictures from five minutes ago.

In my years as a Wyndham VIP owner and a owner at this particular property - this always appears when there is inventory being blocked but still in inventory. Also - I am a fan of the 1br when its just me and the wife going down but I have upgraded in that path as well. Either way inventory shouldn't be taken off line regardless of how they do it and I would hope they are not doing such. As I said above, it would be great if they just booked it out to a phantom guest to keep the rest of us from wasting time trying to figure out what's real and what isn't its just a mess....having just said that though - none of the inventory should be taken off line. It isn't their inventory, its ours. They just manage it...yes I know, tell the tiger he is subservient to man that works well

From one HH to another, thank you for considering this request AND in your willing, uncompensated, service to us (and more importantly to Wyndham) !!!

 

[RENTER]

We had a reservation start tonight at Grand Desert with arrival after 9pm (12 Eastern). Prior to 9pm, I was able to change the owner name. @Pink_Warrior I believe you could have changed the owner name on your existing reservation, then booked a new one all while logged in. Yes, it still would have taken some time, and possible lost the unit.

AFTER 9pm (12am Eastern), the reservation was blocked from all changes. Could not change the owner, could not add a guest. @RENTER If you have a unit rented, and the guest named on the guest certificate is delayed and you don't learn of it until after 12am Eastern, your guests are stuck. They would not be able to check in.

Many of the changes Wyndham has made to "stop" renting make zero sense. Jan mentioned that they are suspending all guest cert use on accounts when no one checks into a unit. Locking out changes to the traveler at 12am Eastern, which is 9pm on the west coast. Not allowing owner name change while booking within 48hours. etc. I'm sure we could come up with a dozen more things they have tried, thinking they are "disciplining" those that rent when I'm guessing they are mostly causing frustration, anger, angst, to traveling owners.

I do not get it. Is that 12 AM eastern the day of the check in or 12 AM when it turns to the next day and the person checking in is late? But your story is different than what was posted when they talked about you could not change it within 48 hours before check in. Another example of no one knowing the rules including Wyndham employees.

But I still do not get it? Because I always change the reservation hours before they check in and have done it this week with no problem,

I was curious and I checked the Grand Desert It is not in the owner priority period so that theory is out. I wonder if they are doing it at the resorts where they are overbooking. My theory being that since they cancel owner reservations last, they want to know which reservations are owners or guests as soon as possible so they can cancel that guest reservation.

Whatever the reason, this company continues to damage its reputation and make people think twice about wanting to buy in. it is their good fortune that many non-owners do not know about sites like this and do not learn until they are in.

If this is a rule change to prevent renting it should make the rent haters happy. But it is another rule change that hurts all owners.

 

[chapjim]

[Deleted]

 

[Sandi Bo]

I don't think are they intentionally trying to stop people from changing names (owners or guests). I think it's bad programming - that ultimately gets blamed on other things. I can't remember the details. I've had trouble in the past and been able to do things a different way. I'm thinking maybe I was on my cell phone and had to use my desktop - or not be on a VPN or stuff like that.

My best guess is it's the programming to not allow duplicate names that is flawed (and then all this other stuff gets mixed in/made up/etc - kind of like going to a timeshare presentation where a fact or two mixed with a few lies have people believing the untruths...

I'm pretty sure I've had a reservation in my name, close to checkin, and tried to book another one and could not because it said I was overlapping too close to checkin. Being logged in as me, the reservation was defaulting to me and getting an error that made no sense. Pretty sure I was on my cell phone.

The misinformation and misconceptions just go on - employees that don't know what the rules are, VC's that don't, yada yada. Such a shame that the system itself is so fraught with so many issues - I can only imagine what the code must look like.

 

[Sandi Bo]

I just duplicated the issue... (And I am on my desktop, fwiw).

Booked a room for tomorrow in my name.

Try to book another one... I get this:

However, I can't change the name to another owner. That's bad programming.... Period!!!

It is defaulting the new (2nd) reservation to my name (as I am logged in) and it won't let me change it (after giving me the above message) - not to another owner.

It looks like I could add a guest confirmation (I took it far enough I could have selected confirm to add a guest).

I don't have that option picking another owner (the continue button is disabled).

I was able to go into the reservation and change the owner name to another owner and then I could book a new reservation in my name. I believe this workaround has already been suggested.

I think the owner priority stuff is working pretty well (dare I say that). This is just bad programming and doesn't have anything to do with owner priority. This is to prevent having multiple reservations under the same name - something they don't want us to do. If they have more time before checkin - they cancel one of the reservations if there are duplicates (again, nothing to do with owner priority). In this scenario, they can't because the reservation is too close so they don't want the 2nd reservation booked under the same name. Just unfortunately poorly coded.

@Zeke_62 your scenario is a totally different one, IMO. If checkin is today, and it's past midnight, you can't make any changes to the reservation. I understand that. To me -- looks again like bad coding - they are freezing the reservation based on Eastern Time and yet you are in Pacific Time. Then again... that is how we book reservations - using Eastern Time. I'm in Central Time and follow Eastern Time zone protocol. A good lesson for all of us -- if you are checking in late - be sure to have the name (guest or owner) changed by midnight EASTERN time. OTOH - I would have expected the resort to help you out (but now you're talking customer service versus system issues).

 

[Happy Hopian]

And the hits just keep on coming

Can't cancel reservations @HitchHiker71 . Tried several times today unfortunately I haven't been home or near phone during call center hours. Any ideas why I can't cancel and get the magical 'something unexpected happened' after pressing button to cancel

 

[Pink_Warrior]

And the hits just keep on coming

Can't cancel reservations @HitchHiker71 . Tried several times today unfortunately I haven't been home or near phone during call center hours. Any ideas why I can't cancel and get the magical 'something unexpected happened' after pressing button to cancelView attachment 92250

I have one of those as well. They opened a ticket and said to expect it to take about two months (which is well after my reservation.) They will refund the points after the reservation. However, if I am running out, they can refund the points sooner.

 

[HitchHiker71]

Knowing that, I added Wyndham's URL to the list of Sites allowed to use third-party cookies. That did it!

Thanks!

​

Can you please provide the explicit steps you took to do this? It would help many other TUGGERs who may not know how to do what you're describing here.

 

[HitchHiker71]

This worked for me just now on iPadOS/Chrome!! Can’t wait to get home and
try it on my MacBook!

What’s it been I’ve been waiting since MFA was foisted on us? Five years??

Thanks *very* much Jim and @HitchHiker71 !!

(btw I had to allow all “Cross-Website Tracking” - iPadOS/Chrome doesn’t seem
to have fine control per website.)

(pps edit - the “do not challenge…again” checkbox doesn’t even appear for me under
Safari; so this fix is sadly not even applicable there.)

Yes - iOS Chrome browser doesn't have granular settings for this item - so you'll have to change this in your Chrome Settings area.