Booking.com - Hotel changing the rate AFTER booking?

tightauldgit

So I booked a hotel stay on booking.com for an upcoming holiday and then a second stay at the same place a few weeks later. 

On the second booking I got a confirmation from the hotel that said 'please note the rate quoted is subject to tax at 19% and additional service charges of X amount per day per guest' - which is completely contrary to what booking.com says on the confirmation which clearly shows the rate inclusive of taxes and service charges. 

I've tried querying this and the hotel are really unclear (not sure if it's language barrier or they are being evasive) and booking.com are pretty useless as they have done is email the hotel who haven't responded to them. Booking.com are also now insisting that the hotel can change the rate if they want to because booking.com are just an intermediary and not responsible for anything as the relationship is between me and the hotel.

Nothing has been paid yet (it was confirmed with CC but payment is at the hotel) so what do people reckon is the best way forward? Cancel it and find somewhere else? Or see what happens at the hotel and try to challenge it if I'm charged more? 

If I pay on a CC would i have any comeback to the CC company if I am charged more than i was quoted on booking.com?

bigfer

I would cancel, unless you still fancy the hotel. I had a similar experience with them on an apartment. Owner said the rate was incorrect. Didn't bother arguing the toss, plenty of others to pick.

tightauldgit

bigfer said:

I would cancel, unless you still fancy the hotel. I had a similar experience with them on an apartment. Owner said the rate was incorrect. Didn't bother arguing the toss, plenty of others to pick.

Yeah, I've booked something else now. It all came to a head last night as I think raising it to booking.com set the cat amongst the pigeons and the hotel contacted me to say there was an error in my booking and they can't accept my reservation - I tried asking what the correct rate is and they didn't answer, I complained about them cancelling my booking at short notice and they told me it wasn't cancelled. I asked them what the hell was going on and they repeated the first message that there was a mistake in my booking and that they couldn't accept my reservation. 

So I'm none the wiser as to what reservation I actually have or don't have - so given that I am just cancelling. 

It seems incredibly weird that neither the hotel or booking.com are responsible for the rates quoted on the system but that seems to be the way it is. Probably good that it came to light now rather than when I tried to checkin! 

StuieUK34

whats the hotel ?
So we know what to expect if they try to play foul.
Name & shame is the best way to stop other tourists getting done over.