Kenneth_R_Jongsma@cup.portal.com (01/28/89)
Had an interesting experience with a hotel phone the other day on
a trip to Colorado Springs.
Needed to make a few phone calls on my company credit card. Didn't
have the numbers, so I was going to dial directory assistance on
the card. Phone instructions say to dial 8+0+ for long distance
(collect or credit card) calls. No problem thinks I, so I dial
8+0+616+555+1212. Get recording (lousy computer voice) saying number
invalid. Try again after verifying that calls were authorized from
room. (Many hotels disable calls when room is empty). Still get
recording, so I dial 8+1+616+555+1212 and get through. Figure call
will be billed to room.
Now try to make call (8+0+616+xxx+xxxx) but notice that credit card tone
was not AT&T tone. Wait for a few seconds and get recording "For Cheapest
Rates, have your Mastercard or VISA number ready!" Thinking that I wasn't
going to fall for this, I wait some more. Person comes on line and says
"Long Distance Operator, May I Help You?" I said I wanted an AT&T operator
and she put me through.
Next call, same routine, except that AOS operator asks what hotel I am staying
at. I tell her and she says to dial 8+00+. I tried this and was able to dial
AT&T calls, including my card number with no intervention or problem.
Interestingly, this technique was not posted anywhere in the room. I didn't
bother asking what the AOS rate would have been, since I know it would have
been a rip off.
By the way, the AT&T operator volunteered that I would get the direct dial
rate if I mentioned what I did to get through to AT&T. No surcharge...
Moral: Ask for AT&T or hang up.
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