<p>Age Discrimination Suit Filed Against Holiday Inn Express
Hotels in Michigan for Turning Away People Who are
Older than 18 but Under 21
By Ben Schmitt, Detroit Free Press
Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News</p>
<p>Oct. 21, 2004 - Thomas Zinn can go off to Iraq and fight a war, but he couldn’t rent a room at two area Holiday Inn Express hotels.</p>
<p>For that reason, Zinn, 20, and his 18-year-old girlfriend, Theresa Taylor, both of Zeeland in western Michigan, enlisted the American Civil Liberties Union to file an age discrimination lawsuit Wednesday against companies that own the Holiday Inn Express in downtown Detroit and the former Holiday Inn Express in Birmingham. </p>
<p>Cruise ships have regulations on people under 25, rental car agencies also sometimes use 25 as a cut off age…because hotels and cruise ships and rental car agencies have backgound that shows their exposure is greater when they provide sevices to younger aged clients, they may have the right to refuse service. I am a former hotel manager, when we rented a room to anyone under 21 it was at the managers discretion and we often would pre authorize the credit card presented for a higher than usual amount in the event of damage to the room. Because historically younger guests were more likely to trash the room. You can refuse 'service to anyone…and they can file an discrimination suit. Whether they will win the suit is another matter.
The whole “I can go to war” argument doesn’t hold water for me. It’s the same argument used regarding changing the drinking age to 18.</p>
<p>I changed jobs and mover to California before Son graduated from HS last year. He drove cross-country (NYC to Cali) to join me in summer. We held our breath since so many chains say that they do not accomodate 18 year olds. He had to make reservations in the morning or just do walk-ins since he couldn’t count on making specific distances per day. (We agreed he would not drive if he was tired.) He was not turned down anywhere he stopped, and he stayed at the moderatechains–Holiday Inn Express and such. I can’t explain his luck–height? credit card with his own name on it? travelling alone? (I know many places are nervous about a room packed with wild kids–I suffered through that phenomena myself.)</p>
<p>BTW, I would be much more nervous about a daughter traveling alone. I’d probably rather have her in the airport waiting area than in an unknown motel in an unknown town. Am I overreacting?</p>
<p>I’m with you sewnsew (cute screen name). I’d much rather have a teen stay at the airport past security than take a shuttle or taxi to a motel/hotel.</p>
<p>That cruise ship requirement just threw me for a loop this week - thinking about taking S and a friend (both 18) on a cruise for spring break and couldn’t do it unless there was a 21 yo registered for EACH room, therefore unless I was sharing a room with both of them we couldn’t go (needless to say we aren’t). I understand the rationale by the cruise lines but what about all of those single parents out there traveling with more than one child under 21?</p>
<p>Maybe it’s better NOT to ask. My daughter needed a hotel and I made and paid for the reservation online. She just presented the print out at the front desk and they checked her it. No questions. Reservation was in her name, credit card in my name. It was a Choice Hotel.
I have been surprised over the years how many hotels will just take the reservation print out and never even ask for ID, although I think they are required to.</p>
<p>At age 18 my daughter and friend were able to book and stay at a resort hotel in OC, MD. I was quite suprised - they said they were never asked for their age.</p>
<p>When my 19-year-old D and her roommate were returning to college and denied rooms at multiple hotels in Oklahoma, the clerk took one look at them and asked for ID. When the person saw they were under 21, they refused to rent them a room. My D has a credit card with her name on it. I spoke with the clerk while my D and her friend were there, and they still refused to rent them a room. I called hotels within a 20 mile radius and they all refused to rent them a room if under 21.</p>
<p>Terrible situation; they were too tired to drive, I didn’t think they should sleep on the side of the road, but aside from going to the police station (which they refused to do) there was no solution.</p>
<p>Luckily they were only half an hour from the Texas border, and had no trouble finding a room there. I called ahead and their room was waiting for them. We now know that Oklahoma is a problem so they will time their return trip accordingly.</p>
<p>So glad your daughter got out and didn’t have to deal with this. I suppose this is as good a time as any for me to check hotels at any places where DS might be laid over to see which/if any would accommodate an 18-yr. old. Never thought about it until it happened to niece.</p>
<p>From Last three years, we faced similar dilemma in NY City. In last three years, daughter was interviewed at some of the most famous Wall Street firms. She could not get hotels in her name as she was only 18 yaers old then. I tried to call in and told them I will be responsible for any damages, but the hotel will not accept it. She has a credit card in her name but it was no go also. Finally, aftera long discussion and involving other people she was allowed to stay.</p>
<p>It is stupid that she was trusted to make decsions about a lot of money but she was initially not allowed to stay, as she was under 21. </p>
<p>Now she stays in the same hotel whenever she travels on the business trip to NY city.</p>