Hotel SCAM

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

I booked a hotel room this past summer for a weekend stay, to attend a three day CAS match.  I found a better deal and canceled that booking.  NOPE!!  I cancelled the booking on line with the same booking agent (Third Party).  Turns out the third party never canceled the reservation, which was billed at the same time I booked (Pre Paid, I didn't see that).  I have now received a "receipt" for my "stay" where I NEVER checked in.  I may be out over 400 bucks.

 

The moral:  If you plan to stay at Best Western, or any Hotel, DO NOT book "on line."  Talk to the Front Desk personally.  I'm now in a fight to get my money refunded.  What a GROAN

[Cypress Sun]

If you paid with a credit card, talk to the CC issuer.

 

I learned my lesson years ago. It worked out BUT I thought that I was talking to the front desk and the 3rd party saleswoman fraudulently acted like I was talking to the front desk.

[Tex Jones, SASS 2263]

If you paid with a credit card, dispute the charge.

[Blackwater 53393]

I learned this lesson long ago! If I book a reservation, I stipulate that I will pay upon arrival!

 

If they won’t accept that arrangement, I hang up and go elsewhere.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

The only problem I see now, is my Credit Card company may cancel this CC number and re-issue new cards.  Then I'd have go thru ALL the automatic monthly payment and other places I do business with.  This is going to be a hassle no matter what.  When I called the Third Party to fix this, I got a heavily accented lady (obviously Off Shore) who fraudulently claimed "they" were unable to reach the Front Desk.  Strictly a Rip Off.  I will call the CC company tomorrow.  Fingers Crossed.

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

I used to use booking.com when making travel plans for my Ohio trips and always got decent deals, and never a problem when changing reservations. And they were always "Pay upon arrival". 

That's no help this time but might be of some to somebody down the road.

[Smokin Gator SASS #29736]

Most of the time when I book a room it clearly states the cancelation policy whatever it may be. I used to see more offers that would state "non refundable" but they were cheaper. You were taking a chance to save some money. Today most of them say free cancelation up to something like 24hrs before check in or similar.

[Tex Jones, SASS 2263]

2 hours ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

 

The only problem I see now, is my Credit Card company may cancel this CC number and re-issue new cards.  Then I'd have go thru ALL the automatic monthly payment and other places I do business with.  This is going to be a hassle no matter what.  When I called the Third Party to fix this, I got a heavily accented lady (obviously Off Shore) who fraudulently claimed "they" were unable to reach the Front Desk.  Strictly a Rip Off.  I will call the CC company tomorrow.  Fingers Crossed.

No reason for them to cancel your card.  You're disputing the charge.  Depending on the bank, they will probably ask for a statement from you detailing why you're disputing the charge.  They should give you a conditional credit while they investigate.  Last time I did that it took about a month to get a final decision, which was in my favor.

[Subdeacon Joe]

I don't see where it's a "SCAM."

And certainly not by the hotel.

 

I think that it's SOP to get the card on file so that they can bill for a NoShow so that they can charge for rooms that they otherwise could have sold.

 

Do you have an email confirmation that you canceled through the 3rd party?  If so, you can probably get a charge back from your issuing bank.

 

 

[Sedalia Dave]

Don't rely on an internet search for the actual hotel's front desk.  Go to that hotel chain's website and then search for the hotel you want.

 

Google search has led me to a third party  phone # more times than I can count.

[Rye Miles #13621]

I always call the hotel phone number. You can find it on their website. 

[Texas Maverick]

A little confused on what type of reservation you had. When I traveled a LOT for work I know if for some reason I did not make it to the hotel and reservations weren't cancelled they would charge a 1 night fee unless it was a non-refundable reservation and then the whole reservation was charged. This did happen a few times like being in an airplane that was late or never arriving at our destination because of weather or something beyond the pilots control. 

 

TM

[Pat Riot]

@Colorado Coffinmaker I know exactly what you’re going through. I had the same experience years ago. 
I booked a room for a 3 night stay. It was work related, but we paid for our trips and were reimbursed. So, I booked my room through an online service then found a better deal at the same hotel by booking direct. 
Anyway, I cancelled the original booking, or so I thought. 
When I arrived at the hotel the clerk actually joked about which room I would like better, but never said “Mr. Riot, you have two rooms booked. Would you like to cancel one?”

I was tired from traveling all day so it didn’t click that his lame attempt at humor might have been a clue something was wrong. 
Without boring you with a blow by blow I used my credit card company to correct the charges. 
I called and spoke with someone in the Fraud Dept. 

That was the key. Don’t talk to your credit card’s customer service. Call customer service and request a Fraud representative. 
 

 

[Cyrus Cassidy #45437]

Pard, I'm a frequent traveler. Unfortunately, booking online is NOT the problem; it's using a third party. There is never a good reason to use a third party for booking.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Thanks everybody.  Yep.  I've learned a lesson.  A potentially expensive season, but a lesson learned.  😬

 

Cyrus.  Absolutely.  I'll never do it again.  Live and learn  🙄