Travelodge incident charge dispute

Pemberton01

Travelodge took £150 out of my bank account a week after a stay. I didn't know about this for nearly 4 weeks, when my monthly bank statement arrived. It was marked as an 'incident charge'. I have found out it is for cigarette ash being found in the room, despite myself and wife, the occupants, being non smokers. That is the obvious first issue. The second is Travelodge simply dipping into my bank account - under their own rules, section 5.4, they will contact a customer within 5-10 working days in writing to advise of a problem necessating them taking money. No communication whatsoever. No-one has a right to simply take your money and not tell you. The stay was the end of October, the money was taken first week in November, I saw it on my bank statement at the start of December, then contacted Travelodge who have refused to properly answers my questions regarding an incident I'm not responsible for and taking money without notification, in breach of their own rules. They certainly seem to have a 'not interested' approach to Customer Service. I don't really want to go down the Small Claims court route because of time and cost, though I obviously feel they should refund the £150. Is there such a thing as a Hotel Ombudsman or does anyone have any other suggestions?

McKneff

I have often looked at the notice in Travelodge about smoking in the rooms.

I thought it was just £50

And the notice actually says 'we will 'fine' you. Now this is completely wrong, whether thi swill help at all I dont know
but Travelodge have no authority to fine anyone, only the courts and police have this authority so their wording is completly wrong.
Good luck.

MatB

Call your bank and dispute the charge.

Had it been a credit card charge it is quite likely that would have been the end of the matter. Being a bank charge (presumably debit card) I'm not so sure.

frog_bounce

I am having the same problem at the moment.

Just recieved a letter from travelodge stating they want £150 within 10 days.

My problem is that I booked 3 rooms, 2 for friends and I have two bills.
One in my name and one in their name

I am a non smoker, so wasnt smoking in my room.
I have no idea what happend in my friends rooms as i didnt stay in there.

anyone know what i can do for the £150 fine in my room?

George_Michael

I have no idea what happend in my friends rooms as i didnt stay in there.

But you paid for them, and you were responsible for them.
You should have a word with all of your friends who were in the other rooms and see if any of them will admit to smoking whilst they were in the rooms.

frog_bounce

and for my room? there was no smoking in my room but still got a letter demanding £150