Originally Posted by
eigenvector
If I book a prepaid hotel reservation with a travel agent for hotel X, and the TA in fact reserves me hotel Y without my knowledge until I arrive, you can bet your bottom dollar I am going to charge back that CC transaction. Why not? The merchant blatantly misrepresented what was being sold.
I am not a fan of using CC chargebacks to mediate service disputes but swapping hotels is beyond the pale. It's no different than buying a T shirt online and receiving a pair of pants.
I agree 100% with trying to charge back. However, the question is, have you ever done it successfully on a large purchase like this? The victim is obliged to substantiate his claim and it is difficult to get it done. There is always fine print in the sales contract that gives the tour operator wiggle room to switch hotels. I've noticed in FT there is a lot of should've, could've advice, but when mere mortals like me go and make an effort, CC companies don't co-operate.