Hotel Cancels Booking Request to Traveler Over Low Rate Confirmed by Expedia

Hotel Cancels Booking Request to Traveler Over Low Rate Confirmed by Expedia

A traveler found herself in an unexpected situation after booking a hotel room through Expedia. After confirming her reservation, she received a message from the hotel asking her to cancel due to their low rate for her stay.

On the Reddit thread r/travel, the woman recounted her experience. After securing a special deal on the travel platform, she was surprised by the hotel’s request.

She wrote, “I made a booking of a special deal on Expedia and got confirmation. A few days later, I received a message from the hotel via Expedia messaging, asking me to cancel because the rate is low for them!”

Expedia’s Response to the Situation

The traveler promptly contacted Expedia for clarification. An agent assured her that her booking was confirmed and emphasized that the hotel should honor the reservation unless she chose to cancel it herself.

She later decided to reach out to the hotel to inform them about Expedia’s response. Unfortunately, this communication did not go smoothly. She shared on Reddit, “I contacted the hotel updating them with Expedia’s response, but they got mad and threatened me. They said if I don’t cancel, they will not accommodate me.”

Expedia Aims to Support Travelers

According to comments in the Reddit thread, Expedia has taken note of the user’s situation. An Expedia spokesperson stated, “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 a force majeure event occurs, in which case our Relocation team assists travelers. If a hotel requests a cancellation due to the booking rate, they should contact our 24/7 Virtual Agent for support.”

The representative further explained that if a partner consistently fails to provide satisfactory experiences, the company will investigate and address the matter directly. However, they noted that in this particular case, they did not have sufficient hotel details for typical follow-up.

Advice from Fellow Travelers

Amid her predicament, the traveler sought advice from fellow Reddit users. One user warned against canceling, stating, “If you cancel, the hotel isn’t liable for anything, and you could face penalties from Expedia. If they cancel, you’re not liable for penalties; they are.” This insight provided her with some clarity.

Many commenters advised her to reconsider taking the long trip, especially considering where the hotel was located. There was a consensus that arriving at a hotel abroad only to discover that they have no room reserved would pose a significant risk.

As one user pointed out, “Being in the right doesn’t help if you turn up at a hotel in a foreign country and find they do not have a room for you.” Such circumstances can lead to significant inconvenience and stress for travelers.

Understanding Hotel-Customer Relationships

In response to the situation, one user noted, “This hotel has been very explicit that they do not want you staying. That’s the end of the relationship. Worrying about whether they SHOULD honor the agreement is irrelevant. You should take your money and rebook somewhere else.” This advice resonates with the need for customers to navigate their travel experiences proactively.

Yet, not all travelers have had similar experiences. Another Reddit user shared a story involving a different travel agency, detailing a situation where hotel proprietors attempted to cancel a budget booking. They had paid ahead of time but faced resistance when they arrived, leading to a significant dispute.

The individual said, “Arriving at the hotel, there were only frowns and a bad atmosphere. Eventually, the owner demanded extra payment to allow us to stay, charging 200% over what we had already paid. There was a lot of arguing and calling friends to speak the local language before we could stay, and unfortunately, breakfast, which was supposed to be included, was not provided.” Such stories underline the complexities of traveling and dealing with accommodation issues.

Engaging with Customer Experiences

Fox News Digital reached out to the Reddit user to gain further insight into her story. The experiences shared by travelers about hotel reservations reflect the challenges of the modern travel industry. As more individuals turn to online booking platforms for convenience, issues like unexpected cancellation requests can disrupt plans significantly.

This recent incident illustrates the importance of effective communication between travelers, hotels, and booking platforms. It highlights the need for travelers to be prepared and informed of their rights when engaging with hotel management.

Ultimately, while online travel bookings offer numerous advantages, they also come with potential pitfalls that travelers should navigate carefully. Engaging with historical experiences shared by others can provide valuable lessons for future trips, ensuring that travelers feel secure and informed before embarking on their journeys.