I feel like I have "SUCKER" painted across my forehead right now.

Last week...before leaving for Puerto Vallarta, I logged onto the Marriott site to check my reservation. We were scheduled for a long weekend in Mexico. There was a link on my reservation page for a car transfer service from the airport. I clicked it. I haven't been to Mexico before, and I figured it was easier than haggling with any cab driver, etc.

Marriott deals with a company called iSeatz that is the middleman for this. The transfer was arranged, and I printed the confirmation (with a picture of a white Suburban on it!). At the very least, I expected a private car transfer in Mexico.

Well...upon arrival, what happens is that some guy from Grey Line meets you...walks you to the curb...then dumps you in a regular taxi...pays the driver something like 40 pesos...and you're on your way...only to have the driver ask for a freakin gratuity on the way.

Needless to say, I'm complaining to Marriott and iSeatz about this. Maybe I'm crazy, but I was expecting a bit of a more premium experience. It sounds like Marriott and this other company that they're affiliated with have no control over their suppliers.

iSeatz's first response back to me was to offer a discount. Then I went directly to Marriott for a refund. It's still in process. But I'm sure that it will work out (because I wish them good luck if I dispute it with AMEX).

Bottom line: I would be wary of booking transportation via a Marriott link with iSeatz.