Screwed by a Discount Travel Website?
Jul 17th, 2007, 03:44 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Screwed by a Discount Travel Website?
Fellow travelers,
My fiancee and I recently had a very negative experience with one of the major discount travel websites. Who shares our pain?
We want to hear your story.
Did Expedia book your flight to the wrong country? Did Orbitz forget to mention that extra insurance rider that would have ensured your rained-out trip was covered? Was the vacation you booked semi-blindly through Priceline not worth the price?
Tell us your woes, dear friends. And perhaps we can achieve justice together.
My fiancee and I recently had a very negative experience with one of the major discount travel websites. Who shares our pain?
We want to hear your story.
Did Expedia book your flight to the wrong country? Did Orbitz forget to mention that extra insurance rider that would have ensured your rained-out trip was covered? Was the vacation you booked semi-blindly through Priceline not worth the price?
Tell us your woes, dear friends. And perhaps we can achieve justice together.
Jul 17th, 2007, 03:59 PM
#5
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not that these sites are perfect - they are by no means.
But, very frequently the people who come here complaining about them either want to get a refund for something non-refundable, didn;t read the small print and now want to change the contract, or bid 27cents for a hotel and are then surprised it's a dump. (These sites can get you deals esp Priceline - sometimes - but by using them you must understand you assume a risk - and NO - the 27 cent hotel will not be 5*).
But, very frequently the people who come here complaining about them either want to get a refund for something non-refundable, didn;t read the small print and now want to change the contract, or bid 27cents for a hotel and are then surprised it's a dump. (These sites can get you deals esp Priceline - sometimes - but by using them you must understand you assume a risk - and NO - the 27 cent hotel will not be 5*).
Jul 17th, 2007, 04:34 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fair responses, all.
I am indeed back and am happy to share my story, though I was hoping to wait to do so for the same reasons some of you have already expressed: I was indeed wronged by a travel site. But I did not want my personal story to color the tone of this thread any further than the topic has already elicited.
Truthfully, this is an investigation. I was hoping to start here, among the the trusted name of Fodor's and those who I assumed would be seasoned travelers, in order to gauge whether mine was a personal experience gone awry or whether this problem was shared by others.
If the latter is true, the "justice" I hoped to pursue would come in the form of real, official letters to organizations such as the Better Business Bureau and perhaps journalistic articles submitted to publications (online and otherwise) to alert fellow travelers to common but relatively unknown dangers.
My problem is very simple: the travel site I booked my honeymoon through charged me the same amount twice.
I don't believe that anyone here can argue with the fact that when a consumer and a provider of goods or services enter into an explicit and legal agreement that the agreement should be held in the terms outlined.
Legal-ese mumbo-jumbo aside, I'm not sure anyone here would argue with me for simply complaining that I have been charged incorrectly by a vendor.
But I wanted to make this a larger discussion before stating my case to see what other gripes come to mind.
I did not intend to be elusive or dodgy, fellow travelers. And if I ever pursue any form of "justice" I certainly would not use anyone's story other than my own...unless they chose to be a part of the process.
I am indeed back and am happy to share my story, though I was hoping to wait to do so for the same reasons some of you have already expressed: I was indeed wronged by a travel site. But I did not want my personal story to color the tone of this thread any further than the topic has already elicited.
Truthfully, this is an investigation. I was hoping to start here, among the the trusted name of Fodor's and those who I assumed would be seasoned travelers, in order to gauge whether mine was a personal experience gone awry or whether this problem was shared by others.
If the latter is true, the "justice" I hoped to pursue would come in the form of real, official letters to organizations such as the Better Business Bureau and perhaps journalistic articles submitted to publications (online and otherwise) to alert fellow travelers to common but relatively unknown dangers.
My problem is very simple: the travel site I booked my honeymoon through charged me the same amount twice.
I don't believe that anyone here can argue with the fact that when a consumer and a provider of goods or services enter into an explicit and legal agreement that the agreement should be held in the terms outlined.
Legal-ese mumbo-jumbo aside, I'm not sure anyone here would argue with me for simply complaining that I have been charged incorrectly by a vendor.
But I wanted to make this a larger discussion before stating my case to see what other gripes come to mind.
I did not intend to be elusive or dodgy, fellow travelers. And if I ever pursue any form of "justice" I certainly would not use anyone's story other than my own...unless they chose to be a part of the process.
Jul 17th, 2007, 04:52 PM
#7
Let me get this straight as in my work I must be exact.
You purchased a package of some sort for two people. Correct?
You were charged once for the package. Correct?
Then, at a later time (a day, a week, etc) you were then charged a second time for the same package. Correct?
Both times the charge was for a package for two people. Correct?
You contacted the travel site and explained the double charge to them. Correct?
They then refused to make any kind of adjustment. Correct?
Before I or others start to express our opinions (or slam you), I'd like to get the exact events and timelines straight.
Anything else required to complete the chain of events?
You purchased a package of some sort for two people. Correct?
You were charged once for the package. Correct?
Then, at a later time (a day, a week, etc) you were then charged a second time for the same package. Correct?
Both times the charge was for a package for two people. Correct?
You contacted the travel site and explained the double charge to them. Correct?
They then refused to make any kind of adjustment. Correct?
Before I or others start to express our opinions (or slam you), I'd like to get the exact events and timelines straight.
Anything else required to complete the chain of events?
Jul 17th, 2007, 05:26 PM
#8
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rather than seeking justice, I'd recommend you seek your money back. If you were really charged for the same thing twice, collect your documentation and write 1) to your credit card company so the charge doesn't draw interest and 2) to the company asking for a refund on one of the charges. If this doesn't work, there are several travel ombudsmen who might be able to help you, but you really need to take reasonable efforts first. USAToday has a reasonably good ombudsmen, and Chris Eliott of www.tripso.com is another possibility if you can't get what you want. But if your credit card company investigates and declines to help you, that's never a good sign.
Jul 17th, 2007, 05:44 PM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 23,138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is it possible that the site itself did not charge you twice but that the site charged you once and the hotel charged you as well. This happened to me once and it was simple to fix with an email to bank, website and hotel.
I am also a little confused other than the charge what it is that you want justice for. It rained and no one sold you insurance to cover that? You took the inherent gamble on Priceline (good price, blind and non-refundable purchase as trade-offs) and were not happy with results of gamble? You actually went to the wrong country -or your fiance went to one country and you went to another?
While everyone must have a first post at Fodors, those of us who have been around here a while get suspicious when first posts are looking to get even, sell something, slam a particular merchant, etc.
PS - we can't be "dear friends" until you have joined us in the fun on "Lounge" section of this board.
I am also a little confused other than the charge what it is that you want justice for. It rained and no one sold you insurance to cover that? You took the inherent gamble on Priceline (good price, blind and non-refundable purchase as trade-offs) and were not happy with results of gamble? You actually went to the wrong country -or your fiance went to one country and you went to another?
While everyone must have a first post at Fodors, those of us who have been around here a while get suspicious when first posts are looking to get even, sell something, slam a particular merchant, etc.
PS - we can't be "dear friends" until you have joined us in the fun on "Lounge" section of this board.
Jul 17th, 2007, 05:48 PM
#11
If the facts are anything like you explained - this isn't "injustice" - it is more likely a double billing which happens all the time. Either you clicked twice on the site or the site "clicked twice" for you or something like that. if the two amounts are exactly the same 1) ask for a refund from the travel site - and if that doesn't work 2) challenge the second billing w/ your credit card company.
If the amounts are the same it should be veryy easy to convince the cc company it was a double billing.
Not a tremendously big deal and probably not any sort of fraud . . . .
If the amounts are the same it should be veryy easy to convince the cc company it was a double billing.
Not a tremendously big deal and probably not any sort of fraud . . . .
Jul 17th, 2007, 08:20 PM
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, you are definitely being illusive.
Expedia booked your flight to the wrong country? Did you double, triple, check everything before clicking on "continue", then "purchase"? Did you carefully print and review your confirmation, then your e-mail confirmation?
I've never seen an insurance rider that covers a "rained-out trip".
I've booked some vacations on Priceline at ridiculously low rates, but all required hours and hours of research and shopping.
If the travel site did charge you twice, contact your credit card company.
I can't imagine the point of any discussion. No one else's experiences will assist in your alleged quest for justice.
Expedia booked your flight to the wrong country? Did you double, triple, check everything before clicking on "continue", then "purchase"? Did you carefully print and review your confirmation, then your e-mail confirmation?
I've never seen an insurance rider that covers a "rained-out trip".
I've booked some vacations on Priceline at ridiculously low rates, but all required hours and hours of research and shopping.
If the travel site did charge you twice, contact your credit card company.
I can't imagine the point of any discussion. No one else's experiences will assist in your alleged quest for justice.
Jul 17th, 2007, 11:27 PM
#16
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You say "one of the major discount travel websites", then go on to mention Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline.
Why would you go ahead and book a "semi-blind" Priceline package not worth the price? Whenever I've purchased a Priceline package, the hotel is shown, as well as the flights and the airline, with the ability to select alternate flight schedules, so you can compare prices for your dates directly and compare before booking with Priceline.
I, for one, am seriously wondering if "semi-blindly" is how you went about booking your entire trip?
Why would you go ahead and book a "semi-blind" Priceline package not worth the price? Whenever I've purchased a Priceline package, the hotel is shown, as well as the flights and the airline, with the ability to select alternate flight schedules, so you can compare prices for your dates directly and compare before booking with Priceline.
I, for one, am seriously wondering if "semi-blindly" is how you went about booking your entire trip?
Jul 18th, 2007, 07:45 AM
#17
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,419
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If I see wrong charges on my credit card statement, I call the merchant, and if not satisfied with the results, dispute the charges with my credit card issuer.
Yes, there are instances when Better Business Bureau should be notified, I do that too if I feel it's needed.
I tried really hard to understand the reason behind your first post. Then the second post left me even more confused. All generalizations, no facts.
How can Expedia book me to the wrong country if I see everything on the computer screen: dates, times, airport codes... why would I OK the purchase if an aiport code look suspicious?
Is this just your way to "share your pain" and you need a shoulder to cry on, is this the reason of your posts?
I am trying to understand, but unless you tell your story, there is no "us". There is "you" and there is "I".
Yes, there are instances when Better Business Bureau should be notified, I do that too if I feel it's needed.
I tried really hard to understand the reason behind your first post. Then the second post left me even more confused. All generalizations, no facts.
How can Expedia book me to the wrong country if I see everything on the computer screen: dates, times, airport codes... why would I OK the purchase if an aiport code look suspicious?
Is this just your way to "share your pain" and you need a shoulder to cry on, is this the reason of your posts?
I am trying to understand, but unless you tell your story, there is no "us". There is "you" and there is "I".
Jul 18th, 2007, 09:45 AM
#19
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This doesn't sound like being "screwed" - just a simple clerical error.
What attempts have you made to have this error fixed? Did you explain it to them - and they refused to fix it?
Di dyou know about it before the trip? Or was your card charged again afterward?
Did you speak to a supervisor?
Was one from the web site and one from the hotel?
Have you talked to your credit card company (which should give you a refund for somethng like this automatically.)
It seems that you've left out most of the details - so it's really impossible for any of us to know what happened.
What attempts have you made to have this error fixed? Did you explain it to them - and they refused to fix it?
Di dyou know about it before the trip? Or was your card charged again afterward?
Did you speak to a supervisor?
Was one from the web site and one from the hotel?
Have you talked to your credit card company (which should give you a refund for somethng like this automatically.)
It seems that you've left out most of the details - so it's really impossible for any of us to know what happened.
