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Marriott Hotels ripoff, fradulent charges, dishonest, rude, inconsiderate Olathe Kansas
I booked a room for my Daughter and I to take our first mother/daughter shopping trip in Kansas City. First let me tell you, DO NOT BOOK WITH MARRIOTT, EVER!!! Upon check in I paid with 2 $75 Marriott gift checks and $52.06 in cash, at this point the room was 100% paid for. We were sent to our room, which was missing a TV. When we called down to the desk we were told "oh I forgot about that", I will put you in another room (which was not what we had reserved). After 3 hours of driving I didn't care, just wanted to relax.
Then the front desk called up and said your credit card is not working so I had to come back down (3 flights of stairs). Although I had paid up front for the room, Marriott was trying to hit my debit card for an additional $250 deposit, BECAUSE I PAID UP FRONT FOR MY STAY!!! Since I had all of my cash on me, they were refusing me a room, but if I left the hotel I would be charged a $101 cancellation fee. I had to call in a Manager who by the way was NOT ON SITE! Was told if they could just inspect our room before we left, to ensure we did not have a party, all would be fine.
The room we were finally placed in was dirty, desk chair was ratty and torn, we had to go out and buy disinfectant wipes to clean it ourselves. I get back home and have found that Marriott has pre authorized $150 to my account and will not be released until sometime next week (great way to spend the 3-day weekend huh?) I called the hotel today and talked with the Manager Cindy Kaunley. Cindy hung up on me twice and kept changing the 'hotel policy'.
Cindy Kaunley is the General Manager at this facility and it is no wonder why it is in such disarray. Cindy claims that Marriott has NOT charged my credit card anything although it is clear by my balance that they have, she told me to call the bank ON LABOR DAY!!! Cindy asked "well what did you expect we would do with the credit card that you provided us?" Well, Cindy, I certainly didn't expect that you would charge it for something that was already paid for! Avoid this hotel at ALL COSTS! There are plenty of hotels in the area that HAVE to have better customer service than this one and WON'T RIP YOU OFF!
Carri
Omaha, Nebraska
U.S.A.
10 Updates & Rebuttals
Karl
Clovis,New Mexico,
U.S.A.
Get a Credit Card and Don't Use Your Debit Card
#11Consumer Suggestion
Fri, August 07, 2009
All hotels and motels charge more than the room rate on cards just to cover themselves in the event of stolen items or damage. The additional amount is deducted after the person checks out and there is no damage however it takes time for the amount to come off. If you have a debit card and keep an account balance that is close to the amount of the advertised room rent then you will be overdrawn or declined. It is wiser to have a credit card that you use specifically for hotel rooms, rental cars, and flights and not use a debit card. Some of the Fairfields that I've used actually have a notice on the check in desk that explains this and says that use of a debit card is not wise.
Ronnie
Raceland,Louisiana,
U.S.A.
Its Ironic!!!!
#11UPDATE Employee
Sat, April 18, 2009
Sorry but it's just too funny! I work for a major Hotel Chain not the chain in question. But you were put into a room without a t.v. Thats the prime example of why we hold the secerity deposit on credit cards and/or debit cards. More than likely the last person took the t.v. (LOL) The money is not taken from your account, after departure we release the hold. Credit cards are released instantly. But the debit cards are released by YOUR bank 24-72 hours. Its not the Hotel that is holding your funds, its your bank. You can be a VIP guest and Hotel will still preautorized your card, and if you pay cash. That is a MUST to preauthorize cards. Credit or Debit cards either way!
Ronnie
Raceland,Louisiana,
U.S.A.
Its Ironic!!!!
#11UPDATE Employee
Sat, April 18, 2009
Sorry but it's just too funny! I work for a major Hotel Chain not the chain in question. But you were put into a room without a t.v. Thats the prime example of why we hold the secerity deposit on credit cards and/or debit cards. More than likely the last person took the t.v. (LOL) The money is not taken from your account, after departure we release the hold. Credit cards are released instantly. But the debit cards are released by YOUR bank 24-72 hours. Its not the Hotel that is holding your funds, its your bank. You can be a VIP guest and Hotel will still preautorized your card, and if you pay cash. That is a MUST to preauthorize cards. Credit or Debit cards either way!
Ronnie
Raceland,Louisiana,
U.S.A.
Its Ironic!!!!
#11UPDATE Employee
Sat, April 18, 2009
Sorry but it's just too funny! I work for a major Hotel Chain not the chain in question. But you were put into a room without a t.v. Thats the prime example of why we hold the secerity deposit on credit cards and/or debit cards. More than likely the last person took the t.v. (LOL) The money is not taken from your account, after departure we release the hold. Credit cards are released instantly. But the debit cards are released by YOUR bank 24-72 hours. Its not the Hotel that is holding your funds, its your bank. You can be a VIP guest and Hotel will still preautorized your card, and if you pay cash. That is a MUST to preauthorize cards. Credit or Debit cards either way!
Ronnie
Raceland,Louisiana,
U.S.A.
Its Ironic!!!!
#11UPDATE Employee
Sat, April 18, 2009
Sorry but it's just too funny! I work for a major Hotel Chain not the chain in question. But you were put into a room without a t.v. Thats the prime example of why we hold the secerity deposit on credit cards and/or debit cards. More than likely the last person took the t.v. (LOL) The money is not taken from your account, after departure we release the hold. Credit cards are released instantly. But the debit cards are released by YOUR bank 24-72 hours. Its not the Hotel that is holding your funds, its your bank. You can be a VIP guest and Hotel will still preautorized your card, and if you pay cash. That is a MUST to preauthorize cards. Credit or Debit cards either way!
Devilsadvocate4education*just My Opinions*
Las Vegas,Nevada,
U.S.A.
I don't work at any hotel and never have
#11Consumer Comment
Wed, April 15, 2009
But I do stay at them. It IS standard practice. There is always an additional amount added to cover any additional expenses aside from the actual room and taxes (movies or damages or whatever) and anything that isn't used is returned to the card later. It makes sense for them to do that if you think about it. Didn't you sign anything when you checked in? It's usually on there.
Michelle
PORTSMOUTH,New Hampshire,
U.S.A.
Common Travelling Practice
#11UPDATE Employee
Wed, April 15, 2009
I currently work for Marriott, although not the one reported here. Whether it is Marriott, Holiday Inn, Best Western etc. ANY hotel is going to authorize your credit OR debit card for an additional amount above and beyond the room and tax price. This is a pending charge for incidentals. It protects the hotel from the miscreants that have checked into a room, given a debit card with the exact amount due on it, trash the room and sneak out the side door in the morning, leaving the hotel little recourse for resitution.
I understand that if you haven't travelled a lot that you perhaps would not know this, however, it appears that you were warned relatively quickly since they called you in the room right after check in.
Bottom line, this is a common procedure practiced at every hotel regardless of brand.
Misanthropy
Olathe,Kansas,
U.S.A.
I know for a fact that Linsay is in fact correct
#11Consumer Suggestion
Fri, September 12, 2008
Her statements are absolutely true and make perfect sense. No hotel I've worked at will allow one to pay cash without preauth for security. This is usually told to you on the registration card and generally is posted at the check in counter. If you walk out with the TV, someone needs to be held accountable.
Get mad all you want, every area hotel Ive worked at does the exact same thing. Most people are aware that this is how it works in my experience.
D
Naples,Florida,
U.S.A.
Lindsey,.....I'm confused
#11Consumer Comment
Thu, October 20, 2005
Your rebuttal here says that you "used" to work in hotels, but your other rebuttal about "Ampco Valet Parking", dated this same day, says that you "Do work for Marriott", Clearification please. Anyway, if you re-read Carri's report, in the second paragraph, she says that Marriott was trying to charge her DEBIT CARD, NOT Credit card. Which meens that when a business does this the customer does NOT have access to those funds till the said business does that charge, which will meen that the money is gone, OR removes the hold, which could be a couple of days. So lets say that if Carri had $500.00 to spend on her shopping spree with her daughter, and the motel is trying to hold $250.00 of it that can put a serious damper on any enjoyment that was going to be had in Kansas City. Good luck in the future Carri. And one other thing Lindsey, where is BEACH, Florida?
Lindsey
Beach,Florida,
U.S.A.
I used to work in hotels
#11Consumer Comment
Thu, October 20, 2005
I have worked for many hotels in my time, and it is obvious you haven't.
It is perfectly normal for any hotel to take authorization on your credit card... YES EVEN WHEN YOU PAY CASH! When you pay cash is actually the most important time to make sure you have authorization on a credit card for security on the room. Even though you are an honest person and may not destroy the room, bad people ruin it for everyone.
I think it is definitely a personal problem that you didn't get to relax on your shopping trip. You shouldn't let small problems such as a $150 hold on your credit card ruin a trip with your daughter... I'm sure she is much more valuable.
As for the tv not being in the room, well yes, that's definitely uncalled for.