That’s some cleaning charge
Bart Everson’s bill at an Alabama resort includes a big surprise: a $166 “cleaning fee.” No, Everson didn’t trash the room; in fact, the charge hits his credit card before he even checks in. The fine print in his reservation does mention a cleaning fee, but doesn’t say how much he’ll be charged. Does he still have to pay?
One year later, where’s my refund?
Cameron Etezadi and his girlfriend are on their way from Seattle to Casablanca, Morocco, when their flight is delayed in London by weather. British Airways agrees to refund the couple’s money, but one year later, there’s no sign of a check. Is the airline pocketing their fare, or is something else going on?
Not so comfortable at the Comfort Inn
A recent stay at a Comfort Inn in Vancouver does not impress Richard Simms. His room is filthy, the shower runs lukewarm, and the coffee maker is busted. But when he tries to invoke the hotel chain’s “100 Percent Satisfaction Guarantee,” Simms is offered nothing more than an apology. Is he out of luck?
Remember my Alamo rate!
When Alamo runs out of the kind of car Steve Chan has reserved in Ireland, it offers to set him up with a car from another company. Chan is led to believe that he’ll pay the same rate, but when his credit card bill arrives, he discovers he’s been billed more than twice the price he was first quoted. Now Alamo won’t refund the difference. Does Chan have a case? Christopher Elliott looks into the problem.
AirTran, where is my refund?
When AirTran cancels Daniel Richards’ flight from Savannah, Ga., to Atlanta, a supervisor offers him two options: either rebook on a flight the next day or rent a car at the airline’s expense. Richards accepts the second offer, but now AirTran isn’t processing the reimbursement as promised. What can he do? Christopher Elliott gives some advice.
No refunds for the dead
Robert Maddocks and his wife plan a 50th-anniversary trip to Europe. But they have to postpone the vacation and then, shortly after Maddocks rebooks the tickets, his wife dies unexpectedly. Now United has sent him two certificates for the trip — vouchers he’ll never be able to use. Don’t the circumstances warrant a refund? Christopher Elliott investigates.