Traveler Faces Hotel Booking Turmoil After Securing Expedia Deal
A traveler’s quest for an affordable getaway took an unexpected turn after securing a special deal on Expedia, only to be met with resistance from the very hotel she booked. The woman, who shared her experience on the popular online forum r/travel, described a scenario where the hotel requested she cancel her reservation due to the low rate she had secured.
The traveler recounted the sequence of events, stating that she had booked the room through Expedia, attracted by the enticing deal. After receiving confirmation of her purchase, she was surprised to receive a message from the hotel via the Expedia messaging system. The message contained an unusual request: the hotel wanted her to cancel the booking because, in their view, the rate was too low.
"Basically made [a] booking of special deal on Expedia and got confirmation. Few days later I got a message from the hotel via Expedia messaging asking me to cancel because the rate is low for them!!" she wrote in her Reddit post, expressing her disbelief and frustration.
Seeking clarification and support, the traveler contacted Expedia to report the hotel’s request. The Expedia agent she spoke with assured her that the booking was confirmed and that the hotel should honor it, as long as she didn’t initiate the cancellation. Emboldened by Expedia’s response, the woman reached out to the hotel again, informing them of Expedia’s position.
However, instead of resolving the issue, her communication with the hotel escalated the situation. According to the traveler, the hotel staff became agitated and even threatened to deny her accommodation if she refused to cancel the booking. "I contacted the hotel updating them with Expedia response but they got mad and threatened me if I don’t cancel then they will not accommodate me," she wrote.
The traveler’s post quickly garnered attention from other Reddit users, who offered advice and shared similar experiences. Many commenters urged her not to cancel the booking, warning that doing so could absolve the hotel of any liability and potentially subject her to penalties from Expedia. They pointed out that if the hotel initiated the cancellation, they would be responsible for any associated penalties.
Given that the hotel was located in the Middle East, several users expressed concern about the potential risks of traveling to a foreign country only to be denied check-in upon arrival. "Don’t want to turn up at a hotel in a foreign country and find that they don’t have a room. Being in the right doesn’t help in those circumstances," one person cautioned.
Other users offered more pragmatic advice, suggesting that the traveler cut her losses and rebook at a different hotel. "This hotel has been very explicit that they do not want you staying. That’s the end of the relationship. Focusing on whether they SHOULD honor the agreement is irrelevant. You have no practical recourse to force this agreement, so you should take your money and rebook somewhere else," one user advised.
One Reddit user shared a similar personal experience with a different travel agency, where the hotel owners attempted to cancel a deeply discounted booking made well in advance due to a lack of prepayment. Despite providing proof of payment, the user encountered hostility upon arrival. The hotel owner demanded an additional payment of 200% over the original price to allow them to stay, resulting in a heated argument and a compromised experience.
The story highlights the potential pitfalls of booking travel deals and the importance of understanding one’s rights as a consumer. While hotels are generally expected to honor confirmed bookings, there are instances where they may attempt to circumvent these obligations, leaving travelers in a precarious situation.
Expedia has acknowledged the situation and stated that they have been in contact with the Reddit user. An Expedia spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "We want our travelers to have a positive experience when they book with us and do our best to support them through unexpected issues. Hotels are expected to honor bookings unless force majeure occurs, in which case our Relocation team will assist."
The spokesperson further clarified that if a hotel asks a traveler to cancel due to the booking rate, they should contact Expedia support. The company investigates and addresses instances where a partner consistently provides a poor traveler experience. However, in this particular situation, Expedia stated that they lacked the necessary hotel information to conduct their usual follow-up.
This incident serves as a reminder for travelers to carefully review booking confirmations, understand cancellation policies, and be prepared to advocate for their rights when encountering unexpected issues with hotels or travel agencies. It also underscores the importance of travel agencies like Expedia to hold their partner hotels accountable for honoring confirmed bookings and providing a positive customer experience.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Reddit user for comment, seeking further insights into the situation and the outcome of her interactions with Expedia and the hotel. The incident raises broader questions about pricing integrity and the ethical responsibilities of hotels and travel agencies in honoring the agreements they make with consumers.
