HotelsOne: misrepresents their room prices in USD vs. other currency. I'd learned since the advent of "screenshot" technology when booking is to take snaps of your transactions. This site misrepresents their prices. For example: The Hotel Imperial in Fort William, Scotland. Which, by the way was lovely, the breakfast was "meh", but not really an issue.
The actual hotel site showed only a twin room left, so I searched all of the 3rd party hotel sites. HotelsOne, a site new to me, offered a lovely double bed with view and nice bath, 2 days with breakfasts at $459 USD, total, incl. all taxes and fees. That was almost $100 cheaper than other sites. I screenshotted the listing page, then immediately booked it. I promptly checked the emailed booking confirmation, but the total was confirmed in as 459 GBP, not including breakfast. At the exchange rate, that was $162 USD higher. I promptly re-looked at HotelsOne's site at that room, but they were still offering it at $459, USD. I called the booking site's CS number, explained the situation politely, and also mentioned that I had screenshot proof of the entire $ misrepresentation. The agent denied that the site had "made a mistake or misrepresented" the price, then hung up on me. I immediately called back, demanded to speak with a supervisor, then unloaded. After presenting proof to the supervisor, I forced them to keep the reservation but at the USD with a refund of the $162 difference to my CC. He tried to be slippery and vague about "trust me, it'll happen". But I forced him to send the emailed confirmation while I waited on the phone until I received the email with reference number and concise $ amount. Lesson: snap and keep photo proof of what rate and room you book. Not infrequently, the "total incl. all taxes and fees", is not the real story. In this case, it was just plain fraud.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
17069 posts
I accidentally got on the HotelsOne website when I thought I was booking on the official Accor website for the Ibis Styles in Edinburgh last year. I knew I’d booked refundable but saw a few days later I was billed for the full stay immediately plus a “fee” of 400£. I emailed the hotel to see what the fee was and they said “it’s your travel agent”. WTH? I then realized I’d gotten on the HotelsOne site. I canceled immediately, got a complete refund, then booked on the Accor app so there could be no mistake.
TBH, I wouldn’t have pushed it with them but it sounds like you have already completed your stay?
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL
2268 posts
Many of the search sites like Google have blended official sites with non-official sites. Be careful which one you click. This is a new trick by non-official sites for many types of businesses and not just travel.
Posted by
Atlanta
5696 posts
Another reason we always book directly with the hotel by email and / or phone. Perhaps it's not the most "modern" way to do things, but we've never had a problem dealing directly. Just our experience.
Posted by
AZ 🌵
3606 posts
msprior01, good for you for fighting back for “truth in advertising” to get your refund. I never thought to screen print the room info. Thanks for the lesson.
One booking and purchasing hint I learned is never book through “sponsored” websites. Scrolling down through Google’s list will be the company’s website. I also only book in the business’ home currency.