Hotel taken money for package holiday

IvanOpinion

Without going into the story in detail some work colleagues and I once got billed for damage to a room (let just say it involved a bit too much alcohol and losing the SuperBowl). Like yourself, when we checked out, we got a bill saying we owed nothing and about 6 weeks later we got a bill for a few hundred dollars.

When we queried this we were told that on checkout, reception only looks for expenses added to the room - there were none - but when the cleaning crew went in, later that day, they found some damage and we therefore got invoiced separately for that. That would explain why you got 2 bills.

I would expect a full breakdown of any additional costs. Does the $500 give any additional information? If not get onto the hotel and ask for a detailed breakdown. Also, was it one room or multiple rooms that you were providing security for? If multiple did one of your mates maybe do some damage, and hoped they had got away with it?

Westin

IvanOpinion said:

Without going into the story in detail some work colleagues and I once got billed for damage to a room (let just say it involved a bit too much alcohol and losing the SuperBowl). Like yourself, when we checked out, we got a bill saying we owed nothing and about 6 weeks later we got a bill for a few hundred dollars.

When we queried this we were told that on checkout, reception only looks for expenses added to the room - there were none - but when the cleaning crew went in, later that day, they found some damage and we therefore got invoiced separately for that. That would explain why you got 2 bills.

I would expect a full breakdown of any additional costs. Does the $500 give any additional information? If not get onto the hotel and ask for a detailed breakdown. Also, was it one room or multiple rooms that you were providing security for? If multiple did one of your mates maybe do some damage, and hoped they had got away with it?

This is something that had crossed my mind.   Even the smell of smoke in the room can sometimes mean a charge levied for a deep clean. 

Sandtree

Voyager2002 said:

Your bank are wrong. Present them with the email confirming that you had nothing to pay on departure and tell them that the charge now is unauthorised (possibly fraudulent).

Unfortunately not correct, if it were you wouldn't be able to checkout without having to do a tour of your bedroom to show nothing damage/stolen, nothing taken from the minibar and then of each of the restaurants and bars to ensure there aren't any outstanding bills that haven't been processed yet. Checkout would take an hour per room.

Card details and authorisation is taken precisely so that if after checking out they discover you stole the TV or broke the desk or didn't close your morning drinks tab that they can charge you after you've gone. 

MetalJack21

Westin said:

“ Now 2 months later my card has been charged over £500! I spent a hefty amount on phone bills calling the hotel chain inwhich they emailed me a new invoice which I had never seen before billing me for the room. Me being the only one of a group of 7.”

How much in USD$ and what exactly does the hotel invoice state the charge is for?

It's about 624 usd

The initial invoice presented upon departure showed 0 to pay as I had not used any extra services.

When I contacted them enquiring why the money was taken they emailed a new invoice showing room rates an taxes

bagand96

What have the hotel said when you inform them the room rate was pre - paid via Virgin Holidays? 

Westin

MetalJack21 said:

Westin said:

“ Now 2 months later my card has been charged over £500! I spent a hefty amount on phone bills calling the hotel chain inwhich they emailed me a new invoice which I had never seen before billing me for the room. Me being the only one of a group of 7.”

How much in USD$ and what exactly does the hotel invoice state the charge is for?

It's about 624 usd

The initial invoice presented upon departure showed 0 to pay as I had not used any extra services.

When I contacted them enquiring why the money was taken they emailed a new invoice showing room rates an taxes

If this the case then sounds more like a simple mix up with you being billed for the room rather than them billing Virgin Holidays.

Feel sure Virgin Atlantic Holidays will step in and investigate once you contact them.

IvanOpinion

Can we ask how many rooms were involved?  Was it just the one or multiple rooms?  If multiple is it possible that it is just the accumulation of taxes?  If not then I agree with Westin, go through Virgin and find out why you are receiving such a bill.

TELLIT01

Could it be the 'Resort Fee' that many hotels in the USA are now using to separate people from their money?  That is paid locally, not as part of the package holiday payment.

jon81uk

TELLIT01 said:

Could it be the 'Resort Fee' that many hotels in the USA are now using to separate people from their money?  That is paid locally, not as part of the package holiday payment.

resort fee is more like $20 a day at most hotels, don't think that would add up to $624

MetalJack21

7 us stayed across 5 rooms. No one else has been billed for any of the rooms. The new invoice they have sent me shows a break down and its for 1 room across 4 nights.

I have contacted virgin via email but who knows when they will get back to me