Travel Agency Didn't Pay...Hotel Stuck Me with the Bill
Mar 3, 2015, 9:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Celebration, FL
Programs: Delta PM, DL Plat AMEX, HHonors Gold, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 48
Travel Agency Didn't Pay...Hotel Stuck Me with the Bill
My wife along with her family booked a Groupon stay for a trip to Copenhagen.
Everything was moving along okay, however after returning from the stay I noticed there was a charge on my AMEX for the hotel stay....which should have been paid for by the travel agent.
I reached out to the hotel for clarification, and they stated the Travel Agency had not paid for any of their rooms, so the guests were charged.
Received a copy of the folio via email, and forwarded it along to the Travel Agency (Based in Colorado) for clarification.
No response after repeated emails, so I tried via the phone, still no response or return call.
After 2 weeks, I did receive an email stating they were aware of the issue, however didn't know how they were going to correct it. They continue to be non-responsive.
I also emailed Groupon...no response.
So now I am stuck with double paying for the hotel stay. Since the Groupon was purchased some time ago, and I can no longer dispute the charge with the credit card company.
I am thinking of taking small claims action, however don't know the process as I am in Florida, it was bought on Groupon, the Travel Agency is in Colorado, and the trip was in Denmark.
Any tips or ideas would be appreciated.
Everything was moving along okay, however after returning from the stay I noticed there was a charge on my AMEX for the hotel stay....which should have been paid for by the travel agent.
I reached out to the hotel for clarification, and they stated the Travel Agency had not paid for any of their rooms, so the guests were charged.
Received a copy of the folio via email, and forwarded it along to the Travel Agency (Based in Colorado) for clarification.
No response after repeated emails, so I tried via the phone, still no response or return call.
After 2 weeks, I did receive an email stating they were aware of the issue, however didn't know how they were going to correct it. They continue to be non-responsive.
I also emailed Groupon...no response.
So now I am stuck with double paying for the hotel stay. Since the Groupon was purchased some time ago, and I can no longer dispute the charge with the credit card company.
I am thinking of taking small claims action, however don't know the process as I am in Florida, it was bought on Groupon, the Travel Agency is in Colorado, and the trip was in Denmark.
Any tips or ideas would be appreciated.
Mar 4, 2015, 7:57 am
#2
Flyertalk Evangelist and Moderator: Coupon Connection and Travel Products
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Milton, GA USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, Radisson Elite
Posts: 19,040
I would reach out to Groupon again. I have never had problems getting Groupon to respond to my email messages.
Mar 9, 2015, 4:37 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
Even if it's too late to dispute the charge from Groupon, you can certainly dispute the charge from the hotel. To preserve your rights under the law, make sure that you file the dispute in writing within 60 days. This prevents you from having to pay again while you pursue a resolution from both parties.
Mar 10, 2015, 12:54 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,830
+1 to this. You say you emailed Groupon. Call them instead. I have always found Groupon's customer service to be stellar when something goes wrong. Give them the chance to make it right before you go the court route. I've always called rather than emailed and never had a problem getting issues resolved.