Contrary to the excellent service I received from expedia with respect to a hotel reservation in New York, I had much the opposite experience in Panama.I made a reservation with Hotel Roma in Panama City for a one night stay in February. I also followed the instructions on Hotel Roma's website for their free airport pickup.
When I arrived in Panama City I couldn't find anyone waiting to take me to the hotel. Copa Air was nice enough to call the hotel for me. I learned that the "free" pickup from the airport advertised on their website was going to cost me $27!
I think the trick is that the procedure outlined on their website is one that can never actually be completed so you will never be picked up -- or only if they feel like it.
I made the decision that I would use a different hotel and at worst would have a one night charge to dispute.
Sure enough late in February a charge for $60.55 appeared on my credit card which I disputed. To my surprise another charge for $60.55 appeared on my credit card in late March.
I disputed that as an unauthorized transaction. My credit card company replied that it was a "subscription" and I needed to cancel it with the merchant. An completely absurd request since I never made any subscription with any merchant!
I guess Hotel Roma finds it suitable to charge you $60.55 a month (for ever) in addition to leaving your stranded at the airport!
Now, since I provided my credit card number to Expedia for the reservation, I went back to them. Expedia claims they never entered me into any subscription, and they absolutely refuse to resolve the issue unless I "telephone" them.
Now, I entered into the transaction online, and that is where the customer service should take place.
Additionally, upon notification that one of the companies they are giving credit card numbers to is abusing the information they need to very promptly get on top of the matter!
I am happy to argue about whether I am responsible for paying for the 1 night reservation that I "missed" (becuase they left me stranded in the airport). There is no arguement about the "subscription". That is down right fraud and shame on my credit card company for not jumping the merchant and shame on Expedia for shrugging it off as well.
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