Have I been a donut or are Expedia in the wrong!?

I-Owe-You

Hello fellow MSE-ers!

I knew it was too good to be true! I found cheap-ish deal on Expedia for me & my partner to go NYC on Friday for 6 nights costing just over £1,400 including the hotel and flights with AA.

I've just received my "final itinerary" email from them which now states that there will be a 14.2% charge on our hotel room cost per night... are they allowed to do this?

I've painstakingly sieved through the small print, but can't find anything relevant, so I've come here for advice. Surely if I've paid in full the amount they've advertised, they can't start sticking additional charges on top once the holiday's been confirmed?

I've never booked with Expedia before so perhaps this is the norm and their ludicrously cheap prices are a lure for numptys like me who think we're getting a bargain. Perhaps a frequent traveller to the US can help me a little? Is this the "rule" for budget hotels in the US to charge an additional percentage, or have I just been done like a good'un by Expedia?

I apologise for my naivety. I sensibly tried to do my homework as Ive never flown trans-atlantic before...so I am really annoyed. I'm going on a budget and these charges are going to take a chunk out of the little spending money I have.

Thanks in advance for any advice. x

whatmichaelsays

Depends what the charge is for.

If it is a local tax, it will be levied by the hotel on arrival - that's probably out of Expedia's hands.

MrsBartolozzi

I have no experience with expedia, but just done a dummy run of a trip to New York next week and the price they quote includes all services, taxes. The only thing I can see where the cost may go up is on the flights - if you book extra luggage etc then you pay the extra.
Why don't you give them a phone call and see what they say. I'd certainly not be happy with the extra charge - and what exactly is the charge for and how much will it be?14.2% of what??

apt

There is a sales tax of almost 9% in New York city and a hotel room tax of over 5%. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/business/business_tax_hotel.shtml

photome

apt wrote: »

There is a sales tax of almost 9% in New York city and a hotel room tax of over 5%. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/business/business_tax_hotel.shtml

Which should be included if the OP paid all services and taxes up front

I have been to the states a few times admittedly I normally book direct with the hotel, but I have always known the full nightly amount before i have paid even if it is only a first night deposit

I have just priced a 7 night deal to NYC (there are lots under £1400) which hotel are you staying in? The final price I was quoted def said includes all hotel taxes, service charge etc.

I dont see why your price should increase by 14%, have you asked them why

Murphy_The_Cat

Just on the off chance, was it booked on Expedia.com, or Expedia.co.uk ?

I've just done a couple of dummy bookings and .co.uk included taxes and .com added taxes.

Pinklepurr

I've used Expedia a couple of times for city breaks in NYC and have always found them excellent and their pricing has always been clear. I have another trip to NYC shortly, again booked with Expedia, and have just taken a look at my paperwork. There is no mention anywhere of additional surcharges or taxes - as far as I am aware, these are included in my total holiday cost. On my previous trips I have never been asked for pay any additional surcharges direct to the hotel (except for telepone calls/mini bar etc). I would call Expedia to clarify.

pinkstarsx

Call the hotel & ask if you have anything to pay on arrival just to clarify?
If their provider they have used hasn't included the taxes in their cost then it should have advised you at the time of booking, however i'm sure there will be something in their terms & conditions small print that advises you any costs incurred by hotel won't be covered by them or something.
I went to New York last December and booked through a travel agent, had nothing to pay on arrival. Each company is different though.
Good luck with Expedia, maybe email them screen shots showing the price breakdown advises you all taxes & charges are included therefore you want to be reimbursed if they're going to make you pay on arrival.
Have a fantastic time!