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A Charlotte hotel denied a U.S. Army Corporal a room for the night, after he’d reserved and paid for the room.

Pamela LaPrell contacted FOX 46 after she found out her son, U.S. Army Corporal Hayden Harrington had a hard time finding a place to sleep when his flight was canceled.

Cpl. Harrington got to see his family in New Hampshire for a few days when he went on leave. He had a layover in Charlotte on his way back to his post in Oklahoma. His flight got canceled on Memorial Day due to bad weather, and Harrington needed a hotel in Charlotte for the night.

LaPrell said her son reserved and paid for a room at the Baymont Inn & Suites next to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Once the hotel shuttle brought him to the Baymont Inn, a hotel employee turned him away because he’s 20-years-old, telling him it’s company policy that a person be at least 21 to book a room.

“Anyone who is old enough to fight for our country should be able to stay in a hotel and not be turned away on the street,” LaPrell said.
A manager at the Baymont Inn & Suites Charlotte-Airport Coliseum told FOX 46 the desk attendant didn’t know active military personnel can book a room, despite being younger than 21.

LaPrell said the SpringHill Suites hotel nearby made an exception to their policy, and allowed him to book a room for the night in its hotel.

The Wyndham Hotel Group, owner of Baymont Inn & Suites released a statement on the matter:

“Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Please know that the situation described does not reflect our brand core values. While the brand does not enforce an age policy, the hotel, which is independently owned and operated under a franchise agreement, may have established such a rule as a precautionary measure or be following local jurisdiction. Please know that we are looking into this matter.”

A representative for the Wyndham Hotel Group also says 30,000 reward points will be provided to Harrington for the hassle. LaPrell says while the reward points are nice, she just wants to policy to be changed so no military member has to experience what Harrington went through.

Source: FOX