Expedia Scam

[Nitt1300]

We were coming back from a trip yesterday and were outside of New Haven heading north when the sky opened up, so we decided to cut the drive home short and get a hotel room. trivago showed what looked like a good deal on Expedia for an excellent rated (8.5) Hampton Inn on our route, so I booked it- "non refundable". Got to the hotel and the staff there claimed that Expedia was screwing up and actually were booking people into a nearby "Wingate by Windam"- that rating was a "fair- 7.3" which I wasn't even willing to drive past. I'm not sure who was running the scam, Expedia or the local hotel staff, and I don't really care, But I'm sure as hell not paying for it.

Long story short, the Expedia site seems designed to avoid providing any help or answers, and Trivago is no better, so I'll just dispute the charge with my bank and let them deal with it.

I'll book through AAA from now on.

Anybody else ever run into something like this?

(We drove home, btw)

 

[DaytonRickster]

We were coming back from a trip yesterday and were outside of New Haven heading north when the sky opened up, so we decided to cut the drive home short and get a hotel room. trivago showed what looked like a good deal on Expedia for an excellent rated (8.5) Hampton Inn on our route, so I booked it- "non refundable". Got to the hotel and the staff there claimed that Expedia was screwing up and actually were booking people into a nearby "Wingate by Windam"- that rating was a "fair- 7.3" which I wasn't even willing to drive past. I'm not sure who was running the scam, Expedia or the local hotel staff, and I don't really care, But I'm sure as hell not paying for it.

Long story short, the Expedia site seems designed to avoid providing any help or answers, and Trivago is no better, so I'll just dispute the charge with my bank and let them deal with it.

I'll book through AAA from now on.

Anybody else ever run into something like this?

(We drove home, btw)

I'm Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite and always book through them. I stopped using Expedia and Trivago years ago.

 

[LionJim]

I always book directly with the hotel.

 

[BUFFALO LION]

We were coming back from a trip yesterday and were outside of New Haven heading north when the sky opened up, so we decided to cut the drive home short and get a hotel room. trivago showed what looked like a good deal on Expedia for an excellent rated (8.5) Hampton Inn on our route, so I booked it- "non refundable". Got to the hotel and the staff there claimed that Expedia was screwing up and actually were booking people into a nearby "Wingate by Windam"- that rating was a "fair- 7.3" which I wasn't even willing to drive past. I'm not sure who was running the scam, Expedia or the local hotel staff, and I don't really care, But I'm sure as hell not paying for it.

Long story short, the Expedia site seems designed to avoid providing any help or answers, and Trivago is no better, so I'll just dispute the charge with my bank and let them deal with it.

I'll book through AAA from now on.

Anybody else ever run into something like this?

(We drove home, btw)

If you sign up for a free membership at Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, Wyndham Rewards, and Choice Privileges, you can pretty much hit all the Hotel Chains that serve State College on a football weekend. Reserve and search directly through their sites and earn points.

I haven’t had to pay actual money for a room on a Penn State football weekend in years!!

 

[retsio]

I'm Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite and always book through them. I stopped using Expedia and Trivago years ago.

Same Marriott status for business and personal travel (45 US states), never used the TV commercial scams. FYI - recent meeting with Director of Marriott says they must keep 'inclusion' in policy statement or they will never be able to have 'others cleaning or otherwise working' for Marriott. His opinion, so take that for what it might be worth.

 

[razpsu]

Yes sometimes check those sites but while driving call them and usually they hook you up with a good rate.

 

[TheBigUglies]

We were coming back from a trip yesterday and were outside of New Haven heading north when the sky opened up, so we decided to cut the drive home short and get a hotel room. trivago showed what looked like a good deal on Expedia for an excellent rated (8.5) Hampton Inn on our route, so I booked it- "non refundable". Got to the hotel and the staff there claimed that Expedia was screwing up and actually were booking people into a nearby "Wingate by Windam"- that rating was a "fair- 7.3" which I wasn't even willing to drive past. I'm not sure who was running the scam, Expedia or the local hotel staff, and I don't really care, But I'm sure as hell not paying for it.

Long story short, the Expedia site seems designed to avoid providing any help or answers, and Trivago is no better, so I'll just dispute the charge with my bank and let them deal with it.

I'll book through AAA from now on.

Anybody else ever run into something like this?

(We drove home, btw)

I have always booked directly with the hotel. I have been at check-in many times at hotels and have observed people using the Expedia type site experiencing nothing but problems. Always have Hilton and Marriott apps on my phone as they have come in handy in a pinch like you experienced.

 

[Nitt1300]

I have always booked directly with the hotel. I have been at check-in many times at hotels and have observed people using the Expedia type site experiencing nothing but problems. Always have Hilton and Marriott apps on my phone as they have come in handy in a pinch like you experienced.

Maybe I've just been lucky for years, but this was the first time (and it will be the last) that I've had any problem.

 

[BobPSU92]

I always book directly with the hotel.

Same. Jurgen Klopp shills for Trivago, but I still won’t bother with them.

 

[PSU Mike]

Same Marriott status for business and personal travel (45 US states), never used the TV commercial scams. FYI - recent meeting with Director of Marriott says they must keep 'inclusion' in policy statement or they will never be able to have 'others cleaning or otherwise working' for Marriott. His opinion, so take that for what it might be worth.

Not following what you’re trying to convey …

Maybe don’t want to?

 

[PSU Mike]

Thinking it’s a failure of their platform (assuming what the hotel said was verified) more than a scam. If they don’t make you whole, there’s less of a distinction for sure. I’ve had one breakdown with their app where the booking didn’t go thru according to the hotel until after I tried to check in. Then I booked another room only to have both reservations appear.

 

[1995PSUGrad]

I use Expedia all the time. Haven't had any problems.

 

[retsio]

Not following what you’re trying to convey …

Maybe don’t want to?

Mike - I have used Marriott for years with good results. This Director wanted to convey Marriott keeps DEI or Affirmative Action in their policy statement, even though AA has been ruled unconstitutional by SCOTUS, therefore he wished to say it in a different way.

BTW - Penn State Pres keeps the same mindset operational, DEI committee and sub-committee have been renamed. BOT Pres and VP have said she continues to express similar wording.

 

[ChandlerPearce58]

I usually book with Airstream when traveling and always feel at home.....oh yeah, I am at home in my Airstream!

 

[PSU Mike]

Mike - I have used Marriott for years with good results. This Director wanted to convey Marriott keeps DEI or Affirmative Action in their policy statement, even though AA has been ruled unconstitutional by SCOTUS, therefore he wished to say it in a different way.

BTW - Penn State Pres keeps the same mindset operational, DEI committee and sub-committee have been renamed. BOT Pres and VP have said she continues to express similar wording.

That’s a bit clearer, but I got lost on the others cleaning or otherwise working part, both on its own and in the context of booking reliability.

 

[dougt24]

I always book directly with the hotel.

I do too, same with airlines. I always find prices cheaper by booking directly. I do use Expedia for research.

 

[LionJim]

I do too, same with airlines. I always find prices cheaper by booking directly. I do use Expedia for research.

Yes, same with airlines. I travel often enough to notice that direct booking never hurts, often pays off.

 

[PSUSignore]

Never book on an aggregator website. Use them to search, find the best prices, then book directly with the airline or hotel. They will usually have the same price and if not, will price match. Support for those aggregator sites will leave you high and dry should anything go wrong with your travel arrangements.

 

[PSUJam]

Maybe I've just been lucky for years, but this was the first time (and it will be the last) that I've had any problem.

It's gotten really bad over the past couple of years. Do what the above post suggests.