Hotel Bookings Rip Off.

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onemore

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Not being 100 percent sure if the flight I was onto Manila was going ahead, or not because of the volclano activity, I decided to book my hotel in Manila while I was in the lounge in Sydney, good plan that worked.

Imagine my surprise when I booked the hotel using "Points and Pay" that there was an additional charge for "Tax recovery and Service Fees" amounting to $33.60, which of course I am thinking goes to Expedia.com, being the hotel website that is linked to the Qantas hotels website, I stand corrected if I am wrong there, no problems.

Whilst I was looking for a hotel in Melbourne a few weeks back I googled my favourite hotel to make a booking and bang up it come, so made the booking, once again it was a last minute thing so I was happy to get it for a good price, or so I thought. When the reservation was confirmed there was also this "Tax recovery and Service Fees" charge once again to the tune of $33.60, although through a different website operating out of the United States, but bearing the name of the said hotel. Now having a gutful of being ripped off I did a search and found the details of the booking site, together with their phone number, so onto Skype I went and gave them a call, I won't go into the details of how the conversation went and the reason I put forward for the booking made in error, being mindful how to put my case across without any profanity or abuse, but I did get the booking cancelled and a new booking made minus the "Tax recovery and Service Fees".

When I raised my concerns with the hotel management in Melbourne, they simples said "Nothing to do with us, next time give us a call direct".

So there ya go folks, with the current Trivago thing going on, and now my experience with the Qantas hotel site, say goodbye to online hotel bookings.

The End++
 
Ta for this.
Expedia also does hotel bookings for other FF programs.
Thought I would start earning in Anz Air points dollars hotels, but Expedia does them too.
Pity.
 
Well I just book on Qantas Hotels and it was either the same or slightly cheaper than the other hotel booking sites. No message regarding other fees but I did book a non-refundable and had to pay now.
 
I just re-checked my booking and sure enough there it is "Tax recovery and service fees $33.60".
 
AFAIK, this is an Expedia thing. Pretty sure Expedia are just pocketing this.
 
Sounds like this is
Imagine my surprise when I booked the hotel using "Points and Pay" that there was an additional charge for "Tax recovery and Service Fees" amounting to $33.60,
this would seem to be a charge for the Points program you are using.
 
For sure, I was thinking of giving Qantas a call and see what they think of this, but then again my life is too short.
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

Sounds like this is

this would seem to be a charge for the Points program you are using.
No way, from an earlier post where I mentioned that I was duped on booking a hotel in Melbourne, the name of the hotel came up but somehow it was "Book a room" masquerading as the hotel I had searched for, and had nothing to do with any points program. There are different ways of doing the con.
 
and had nothing to do with any points program. There are different ways of doing the con.
well I am confused :) because you said you booked with Points plus Pay, and havent named the points program, the hotels, nor the websites you used to book.
I am not sure whats to look out for yet, i havent seen this before.
 
My apologies for confusing you, it went like this:-
2 seperate bookings, one where I googled the hotel in Melbourne and the name of the hotel came up and so I made the booking, which is where I noticed the con and called said hotel booking website and got refunded, once again I won't go into the excuse I gave to get my money refunded, but the refund I did get.

The second booking I made at the last minute when I was just to board a flight in Sydney and booked via the Qantas website, not being sure whether the flight was going to be cancelled, or not due to the volcano activity in Manila, so I made the booking because I had stayed at that hotel many times before.

I haven't seen that con before either, or scam whatever you like to call it, maybe theft would be a better word, let me reiterate that I don't reckon having a whinge to Qantas about it because they would most likely say they are not responsible for what third parties charge.
So the best thing is to broadcast it here, save someone else some grief.

Cheers
 
well I am confused :) because you said you booked with Points plus Pay, and havent named the points program, the hotels, nor the websites you used to book.
I am not sure whats to look out for yet, i havent seen this before.
Having been caught similarly in the UK,make sure that you take a screen shot when you get the supposed final cost. I found that once I hit the go button, the fees appeared after the process was completed. Though they claim it was shown before the event, I am certain that it wasn't. Talking to an organisation that big was an endless charade which I eventually gave up on.
 
Having been caught similarly in the UK,make sure that you take a screen shot when you get the supposed final cost. I found that once I hit the go button, the fees appeared after the process was completed. Though they claim it was shown before the event, I am certain that it wasn't. Talking to an organisation that big was an endless charade which I eventually gave up on.
Yes, exactly put it down to experience, something learnt everyday, try and stay one step ahead of the coughs.
 
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