Awful Orbitz Situation - advice?

[yehuda S]

I booked two of those $400 tickets to Buenos Aires in November that Dan had listed on the main site.

I know you can cancel them for 46 hours if booked after midnight. I cancelled them online the next day at 11:45 and waited for the refund but it never came.

Now I've been informed that since I booked them at 12 eastern time it was still the previous day central time and I cancelled them 45 minutes after the refundable period. There was no notification that I can recall informing me I would not be receiving a refund and they are totally non refundable. The entire ticket price is charged. I feel sick.

Anyone have any advice/ experience with this?

[mochada]

Look carefully at the T&C for orbitz and if you used a reputable CC, try to have the CC dispute it on your behalf.

[sky121]

I booked two of those $400 tickets to Buenos Aires in November that Dan had listed on the main site.

I know you can cancel them for 46 hours if booked after midnight. I cancelled them online the next day at 11:45 and waited for the refund but it never came.

Now I've been informed that since I booked them at 12 eastern time it was still the previous day central time and I cancelled them 45 minutes after the refundable period. There was no notification that I can recall informing me I would not be receiving a refund and they are totally non refundable. The entire ticket price is charged. I feel sick.

Anyone have any advice/ experience with this?

Are the tickets cancelled and they charged you anyways? Or are they just not cancelled?

[yehuda S]

They're cancelled.

[sky121]

They're cancelled.

Yeah, I'd call orbitz again and fight it on the credit card.

[yehuda S]

Chase freedom.

Fight it on what basis?

[Dan]

Chase freedom.

Fight it on what basis?

That their policy is vague w/r/t time zones:
https://faq.orbitz.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/12628/~/what-is-a-courtesy-cancellation%3F

You can also file a DOT, BBB, and AG complaint.

[yehuda S]

That their policy is vague w/r/t time zones:
https://faq.orbitz.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/12628/~/what-is-a-courtesy-cancellation%3F

I'm going to try. Do you think I have a fighting chance?

[sky121]

I'm going to try. Do you think I have a fighting chance?

Yes.

[yehuda S]

Ok I basically worked it out to my satisfaction.

[Dan]

Ok I basically worked it out to my satisfaction.

Huh?

[yehuda S]

They agreed to refund 75% of the tickets.

[Dan]

They agreed to refund 75% of the tickets.

I would not accept that. They should make that page more clear.

[yehuda S]

I would not accept that. They should make that page more clear.

I agree it is really unclear. I looked at it before booking the tickets and it definitely seemed like I'd be ok. And I had an inner debate before accepting her offer. But I spent 3 hours dealing with them and its not worth doing that again for another $130.

I guess I should have realized the whole central time zone thing.

I just went from a surprise $772 charge to a $135 charge. If I have some time maybe I'll consider HUCA.

Thanks guys for all your help! Really appreciate it.

Dan maybe make a note of this on the main site the next time you post a deal from Orbitz. Just mention that for the 46 hour refund you need to book at 1:00 AM Eastern time.

[Dan]

That's why I said 1am and not midnight.
EG:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/27171

[yehuda S]

Yes you said it there. But you didn't say it here http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/26166 and that's the one I bought.

[Dan]

Yes you said it there. But you didn't say it here http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/26166 and that's the one I bought.

Well then why did you assume it was 46 hours??

[Deal Guy]

That's why I said 1am and not midnight.
EG:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/27171

When i saw you write 1am, i thought you were just giving an example how much time you have to think things over after you book. Perhaps it would be helpful next time to stress that 1am is davka, and that booking it at 1230am is terrible.

[Ergel]

I booked two of those $400 tickets to Buenos Aires in November that Dan had listed on the main site.

I know you can cancel them for 46 hours if booked after midnight. I cancelled them online the next day at 11:45 and waited for the refund but it never came.

Now I've been informed that since I booked them at 12 eastern time it was still the previous day central time and I cancelled them 45 minutes after the refundable period. There was no notification that I can recall informing me I would not be receiving a refund and they are totally non refundable. The entire ticket price is charged. I feel sick.

Anyone have any advice/ experience with this?

Isn't that a bit extreme?
Are you at least feeling better now?

[Dan]

When i saw you write 1am, i thought you were just giving an example how much time you have to think things over after you book. Perhaps it would be helpful next time to stress that 1am is davka, and that booking it at 1230am is terrible.

So you thought based on that if you booked at 11pm you'd have until 9pm because there was 46 hours in my example?

Yes, now that we know the central time zone I can clarify it next time.