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Travelocity.com ripoff New York
I made an online hotel booking on November 16 2004, prepaying for Feb 4-7 2004 (4 nights) at $1622 incl "taxes and fees".
On Jan 6 2005 I found that I had move the dates, and called Travelocity to check the conditions. After an hour of being on hold from South America, I was told that as long as it was MORE than 72 hours prior to checkin, I would ONLY be charged $25.
Jan 16 (3 weeks before checkin date) I called to make the change (to Feb 3-6). After spending another hour on hold,I was told they could not change the booking. They would have to cancel the booking and make a new reservation and I would be charged $25. I explained that I didn't want to cancel, just change the dates. The call centre operator cancelled the original and told me "the system" would not accept a new reservation. So now I have no reservation. Then she tells me "the system" has charged me $405.51 (1 night room rate) plus $25 cancellation fee.
Travelocity refunded $1191 to my Visa card.
THEIR conditions as emailed to me stated:
Any changes to or cancellation of a GoodBuy reservation will result in cancellation or change fees ranging from a minimum of USD 25.00 to the total amount of your stay.
All cancellations or changes will incur a USD 25.00 fee.
Cancellations or changes occurring within 72 hours of 12:01 am (Central Time) on the day of check-in are subject to a 1 night Room + Tax charge in addition to the USD 25.00 fee.
Cancellations or changes made after check-in are subject to a 100% charge.
No other conditions were sent to me.
When I queried this I was told to refer to the first point, with the inference that this gives Travelocity the right to charge up to 100% under any circumstances. They have also lied by alleging (a) this is hotel chain policy, not theirs and (b)the hotel charged the penalty. Both claims are hotly denied by Sheraton's holding company. Then Travelocity retracted the claim that the hotel charged the fee. I am still trying to get a refund (not easy especially if you don't live in the USA).
Draw your own conclusions. The conditions are clearly stated. The first is not intended to be a coverall and to create loopholes in what is simple English. Or is it ? BEWARE!
Dave
Camps Bay
South Africa
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Travelocity.com
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Jodi
Dubuque,Iowa,
U.S.A.
BOY WAS I WRONG !!! Add American Airlines to my complaint.
#6Consumer Comment
Tue, August 30, 2005
They certainly are going to stick us with a cancellation fee. They are now unsympathetic with the situation and refuse to change their cancellation fee policy even though New Orleans is 80% underwater, 20 feet in places, no electricity and certainly no place anybody would want to spend vacation. I do understand a policy is a policy, but in a catastrophic situation, they could be a little more accommodating and not penalize us financially for something that is totally out of our control. I feel I am being ripped off to the tune of $582 to not go where the news is telling people that live there, DON'T COME BACK for a least a week. That puts us there when the residents and store owners will be just beginning cleaning up. I will NEVER use Travelocity again and all my coworkers that have been asking me every day what is happening with my vacation. I will tell them TRAVELOCITY along with American Airlines stuck us good.
Jodi
Dubuque,Iowa,
U.S.A.
BOY WAS I WRONG !!! Add American Airlines to my complaint.
#6Consumer Comment
Tue, August 30, 2005
They certainly are going to stick us with a cancellation fee. They are now unsympathetic with the situation and refuse to change their cancellation fee policy even though New Orleans is 80% underwater, 20 feet in places, no electricity and certainly no place anybody would want to spend vacation. I do understand a policy is a policy, but in a catastrophic situation, they could be a little more accommodating and not penalize us financially for something that is totally out of our control. I feel I am being ripped off to the tune of $582 to not go where the news is telling people that live there, DON'T COME BACK for a least a week. That puts us there when the residents and store owners will be just beginning cleaning up. I will NEVER use Travelocity again and all my coworkers that have been asking me every day what is happening with my vacation. I will tell them TRAVELOCITY along with American Airlines stuck us good.
Jodi
Dubuque,Iowa,
U.S.A.
BOY WAS I WRONG !!! Add American Airlines to my complaint.
#6Consumer Comment
Tue, August 30, 2005
They certainly are going to stick us with a cancellation fee. They are now unsympathetic with the situation and refuse to change their cancellation fee policy even though New Orleans is 80% underwater, 20 feet in places, no electricity and certainly no place anybody would want to spend vacation. I do understand a policy is a policy, but in a catastrophic situation, they could be a little more accommodating and not penalize us financially for something that is totally out of our control. I feel I am being ripped off to the tune of $582 to not go where the news is telling people that live there, DON'T COME BACK for a least a week. That puts us there when the residents and store owners will be just beginning cleaning up. I will NEVER use Travelocity again and all my coworkers that have been asking me every day what is happening with my vacation. I will tell them TRAVELOCITY along with American Airlines stuck us good.
Jodi
Dubuque,Iowa,
U.S.A.
Travelocity is a STAND UP SERVICE !!
#6Consumer Comment
Sun, August 28, 2005
I just called Travelocity regarding my upcoming vacation package for New Orleans scheduled Sept 8-12. Who wants to spend vacation in a hurricane ravaged area? At first they threw out all kinds of cancellation and/or change fees, but after a brief rebuttal and assessment of the situation and communication with the airlines, change fees were not an issue. I just wish all New Orleans folks God Speed and good luck in going through Katrina. Travelocity, you have hats off from me and please help others in this same situation.
Dave
Camps Bay,Africa,
South Africa
Refund received
#6Author of original report
Fri, August 05, 2005
I have now received a full refund from Travelocity for the cancellation mess. I believe it was the fact that I went public that forced their hand. However, an apparent communication canyon between them and the Sheraton group added to the mess. I have learned one thing - when you feel ripped off, make a noise and never ever give up !