Letter: Mandalay Bay gouges fans

Friday, Sept. 10, 1999 | 10:38 a.m.

I am an avid boxing fan from New Jersey. Knowing that tickets to De La Hoya-Trinidad and a room at Mandalay Bay would be in great demand, I booked with my travel agent when this fight was but a whisper.

From there, I phoned Mandalay Bay every day to ask when these tickets were going on sale. Finally, the hotel informed me that the only way that I could purchase these tickets was with a three-night minimum stay. This didn't appear to be a problem, as I am booked to stay for four nights.

But Mandalay Bay told me that I would not be allowed to purchase tickets because I booked through my travel agent.

I've spoken to four supervisors, written to the Mandalay Resort Group and nothing has been done for me. The resort group sent a half-hearted letter of apology that contains a bald-faced lie. They said they were sold out of the packages in one week. I was told, one month after the packages became available, that 10 were left.

To clarify, for the privilege of paying $900 per seat for two tickets, they wanted me to cancel my travel arrangements (roundtrip air for two and four nights at Mandalay Bay for $1300) to book through them at a cost of $439 per night, three night minimum plus air.

I am a first-time guest at this hotel. It will also be my last visit.

If, like last year, I have the opportunity to meet Mr. De La Hoya, I'll tell him that if this hotel is sponsoring his next fight, I'll not be back.

JANET TEDDER