I booked online with 'instant reservation' at a USD 150 rate 02 27/10/06 (about 2 weeks prior). Prices during APEC went as high as 500 USD a night for hotels usually around 120 USD, and my short notice travel meant I really needed confirmed accommodation. Over this period in Hanoi there was outrageous price gouging by all hotels....
Precisions reservations is 1 of the trading companies Agoda uses.
Booking and billing email read:
Dear Mr. Thai-Kiwi,
With reference to your confirmed booking at the XXXX Hotel in Hanoi from November 16, 2006 to November 18, 2006, we have now charged your Credit Card the amount of USD 192.00 as shown on your Confirmation email. (See details below)
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Booking Details
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Member ID : xxxxx
Booking ID : 1620855
City : Hanoi
Country : Vietnam
Hotel : XXXX Hotel
Address : XXXXX
Room type : Superior Room
Arrival : November 16, 2006
Departure : November 18, 2006
Number of Nights : 2
Number of Rooms : 1
Number of Adults : 1
Non-smoking room : Yes (on request)
Special Notes :
All special requests are subject to availability upon arrival.
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Booking Charges:
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Room Charge : USD 162.00
Tax/Service Charges : USD 30.00
Booking Value : USD 192.00
Rewards Savings : USD 0.00 (Redeemed Points: 0)
Total Due/Charge to Credit Card : USD 192.00 (Accrued Points: 4,800)
* Reward points accrued will be available on your account 30 days after departure date
A week late the bad news:
Dear Mr. Thai-Kiwi,
With regard to your booking ID 1620855 for XXXX Hotel
on NOVEMBER 16, 2006 to NOVEMBER 18, 2006, we regret to inform you that the hotel can not confirm the booking at the price we offered you due to APEC Event. We do apologize for this inconvenient, however, we are still checking with the hotel for the availability and found that there are some rooms available at higher rate.
We can quote you this at the following rate: USD 397 per room per night inclusive of service charge and tax but NO BREAKFAST.
Please advise as soon as possible if you wish us to go ahead with this reservation for you as rooms for that period are filling up quickly.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.Thank you for your understanding.
Should you need further assistance, please feel free to contact us at:
This seemed a clear breach of contract - the problem was between them and the Hotel as far as I was concerned. They had confirmed and then billed my credit card, and a contract existed I believed. However, nothing could be done other than vent (politely) at over the phone Agoda (they are BKK based)....
The refund was processed quickly, which was the only good thing.