Experia hotel booking disaster!

s0ph1esdad

Hi Everone,
Has anyone had a similar eperience to mine?
In Feb I booked two nights at the Shelbourne Hotel Dublin, for our 20th wedding anniversary, which was in May, online through Expedia.
When I told my wife, in March, she informed me that the dates chosen conflicted with our daughter's GCSE exams, I rang Expedia's helpline and was given an option to cancel the booking or "itinerary" by pressing "3" on my phone keyboard, which I promptly did. I did not receive an email cknowledgement so I re-dialled the number intending to try again to cancel.

However when I entered my "itinerary" number for the booking I was told that no such booking existed. I therefore assumed that my previous attempt was successful.
To my surprise, I recently had the cost of my non-stay at the hotel deducted from my Visa account. When I rang Expedia(in India I think) I was told to furnish them with the "bill" that I received from the hotel, but not given an address, e-mail or otherwise, to send this to. The hotel told me that they didn't issue a bill for a "no show" as they called it and referred me to Experia!

Caz3121

Was it a refundable rate that you had booked?

jpsartre

The couple times I've cancelled an Expedia hotel booking I've just done it online through their website. Got an email confirmation straight away.

s0ph1esdad

Hi Caz3121,
I don't understand what a "refundable" booking is, but I understood that I was making an ordinary booking. The problem was that I phoned their helpline expecting to speak to someone, and instead was given an choice to cancel by pressing the "3" button.
Thanks Ian S.

Caz3121

When booking on Expedia there is often a choice of rooms rates. Each will say next to them either "non-refundable" or "Free cancellation before x date"

jpsartre

s0ph1esdad wrote: »

Hi Caz3121,
I don't understand what a "refundable" booking is

A booking where you get a full refund of money paid (or due) if you cancel. Check the terms of your booking. If the rate was refundable you should try to find out if the booking was ever actually cancelled.

s0ph1esdad

Yes it said "Free cancellation before x date" and I cancelled it well before the due date. If I had a direct email address for someone "human" at Experia, then I could converse with them, but it takes a long time to get an answer from their telephone line(India) and then they just didn't want to know!

R_P_W

Experia won't really be able to help you

s0ph1esdad

Why not? They took the booking and failed to pass on my cancellation.

photome

Did you speak to anyone after you pressed 3? If so you may be able to get a recording of the call.

If you didnt and Expedia (experia ?) dont have a record of your cancellation you may well be stuck, unless the hotel didnt bill Expedia

photome

s0ph1esdad wrote: »

Why not? They took the booking and failed to pass on my cancellation.

I am guessing he means Experia cant help you, as you booked with Expedia