History of Rack Rates

Regarding “A Mini-Lexicon of Hotel Keepers’ Confusing Lingo” (Travel Insider, July 16): Having spent more than 40 years in the hospitality industry, I needed to write to outline my understanding of the origin of the term “rack rates” and my belief that it did not come from the retail trade.

Years ago, hotels maintained their room control systems using “stock tickets.” Each ticket represented a room, with its number, type of bedding and the “regular” rate. Tickets were placed in a slotted rack along with a slip of paper that showed the name of the guest and the rate that guest was paying.

Many times desk clerks would pocket tickets of their favorite rooms to hold them for their special friends and regular guests, since no rooms could be assigned without a stock ticket. At the end of each day, all stock tickets had to be accounted for in the night clerk’s audit. The clerk often included a report for the hotel manager outlining any differences between the regular, or “rack,” rate and the rate being paid.

ARTHUR GIMSON

Redondo Beach