Orbitz Free Cancellation Horrors

[shmuelg]

Most Hotel bookings on Orbitz are advertised as free cancellation.
I booked one recently, and after canceling was charged a $75 booking fee, which was non-refundable.
It turned out, (after more than 4 hours on the phone with orbits reps and supervisors), that the hotel had this policy, and it was misrepresented and falsely advertised by Orbitz.
See attached, the mistake is still there.
Hotel won't help, and I agree with them. The problem is that Orbitz won't help me either, and it's clearly their fault.

[ckmk47]

Dispute it with the credit card.

[Yammer]

Dispute it with the credit card.

+1 it's an easy dispute

[shmuelg]

Thanks for the advise.
I'm not sure I will win, as the charge was made by the hotel, not orbitz. It was only made on the orbitz website, but the payment went directly to the hotel.
Orbitz actually finally (4 hours later) gave in and gave me $100 to orbitz.
I just can't believe the lack of responsibility they take for their own clear mistakes. I had to be put through to the manager, and the line gets cut off, and they don't call back.
Terrible customer service.
I doubt I'll be using it anytime soon, but I guess I can try to sell it on another thread.

[cholent]

Thanks for the advise.
I'm not sure I will win, as the charge was made by the hotel, not orbitz. It was only made on the orbitz website, but the payment went directly to the hotel.
Orbitz actually finally (4 hours later) gave in and gave me $100 to orbitz.
I just can't believe the lack of responsibility they take for their own clear mistakes. I had to be put through to the manager, and the line gets cut off, and they don't call back.
Terrible customer service.
I doubt I'll be using it anytime soon, but I guess I can try to sell it on another thread.

I wouldn't be satisfied with that. Try to dispute it anyway, regardless of who made the charge

[MosheD]

+1 on the dispute.
I'd dispute anyways.


For future folk; these types of reservations can be held on a GC.
(Anyone worth their salt here has a couple of those lying around)

[ckmk47]

For future folk; these types of reservations can be held on a GC.
(Anyone worth their salt here has a couple of those lying around)

Do you mean and empty GC? That has nothing to charge if they try?

[MosheD]

Do you mean and empty GC? That has nothing to charge if they try?

Obviously a couple bucks is better but empty has worked for me in the past

[David Smith]

+1 on the dispute.
I'd dispute anyways.


For future folk; these types of reservations can be held on a GC.
(Anyone worth their salt here has a couple of those lying around)

Yup. If that doesn't work (for some sites it doesn't) Citi virtual is nice too.

[sammy n]

Obviously a couple bucks is better

Why is that? I've used empty ones dozens of times without any issues at all.

[username]

I dont think it is a mistake., With refundables, you need to really read the fine print.

[MosheD]

Why is that? I've used empty ones dozens of times without any issues at all.

Usually, but I've had at least one cancel on me when they couldn't charge.
Rare. but does happen

[shmuelg]

I dont think it is a mistake., With refundables, you need to really read the fine print.

Find me the fine print please.
https://www.orbitz.com/Sunshine-Coast-Hotels-La-Mer-Sunshine.h5347416.Hotel-Information?chkin=08/15/2016&chkout=08/19/2016&rm1=a1&hwrqCacheKey=65c675b3-d44f-4fb5-b823-ac19b9489abeHWRQ1468252284053&c=63d9d540-1c86-491e-9bfb-4b2861bf0a1b&&exp_dp=144.5&exp_ts=1468252283311
The mistake is still apparent.

[MosheD]

Find me the fine print please.
https://www.orbitz.com/Sunshine-Coast-Hotels-La-Mer-Sunshine.h5347416.Hotel-Information?chkin=08/15/2016&chkout=08/19/2016&rm1=a1&hwrqCacheKey=65c675b3-d44f-4fb5-b823-ac19b9489abeHWRQ1468252284053&c=63d9d540-1c86-491e-9bfb-4b2861bf0a1b&&exp_dp=144.5&exp_ts=1468252283311
The mistake is still apparent.

On mobile I dont see anything. The screenshot you originally posted says it clearly though

[username]

Please clarify.
The screenshot you had above showing the $75 fee is from Orbitz's site, or from the Hotel's site.

If its on the Hotel's site, you are 100% correct, and should dispute the charge.

[shmuelg]

Please clarify.
The screenshot you had above showing the $75 fee is from Orbitz's site, or from the Hotel's site.

If its on the Hotel's site, you are 100% correct, and should dispute the charge.

Yes, only on hotels site.
While we are at it, I ended up getting 2 $100 orbitz coupons as compensation.
One says "itinerary required", the other "no itinerary".
It seems they can both be used on hotels flights etc.
Anyone have an idea what the difference is?