Chance of canceling Adv Purchase
May 10, 2010, 6:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2
Chance of canceling Adv Purchase
Hi All,
Got bit dilemma here, I've book my hotel for my next holiday in July for Tokyo and Osaka. Both place using adv purchase rate.
The problem is, i've been denied a visa to enter Japan for stupid reason (they said I don't have enough savings to stay in japan for 14 days, yet i shown them i have $2500 in my deposit and i keep adding it every week) and I can't apply again in next 6 months. I'm indonesian who live in Australia, that's why i still need visa to enter Japan.
So yea, what is the chance to cancel my reservation and get the money back?
I know the rules are rules
Anyone had similar experience with this?
Thanks
Got bit dilemma here, I've book my hotel for my next holiday in July for Tokyo and Osaka. Both place using adv purchase rate.
The problem is, i've been denied a visa to enter Japan for stupid reason (they said I don't have enough savings to stay in japan for 14 days, yet i shown them i have $2500 in my deposit and i keep adding it every week) and I can't apply again in next 6 months. I'm indonesian who live in Australia, that's why i still need visa to enter Japan.
So yea, what is the chance to cancel my reservation and get the money back?
I know the rules are rules
Anyone had similar experience with this?
Thanks
May 10, 2010, 7:22 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: ua mm, aa plat, starriott LTPP, ihg plat, hh gold.
Posts: 13,017
odds are, you're stuck. you can try calling the hotel directly and they might take pity on you, but you're probably not going get them to agree to cancel.
sorry i don't have better news. this is why i stopped booking pre-paid rates also.
sorry i don't have better news. this is why i stopped booking pre-paid rates also.
May 10, 2010, 7:24 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
Let this be a lesson. If you must ensure having a room somewhere book it first as a flex, then closer to the date and when you are 100 percent certain rebook as an advance purchase.
May 10, 2010, 8:45 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2
well... lets this be my lesson, i'm 100% certain i will get the visa again, since i had japan visa previously (been visiting japan 3x) and it's all in my passport 3 visas.. but now they decide to decline my application.
I've paid quite good sum of money here, i'm going to give them a call if I can change the date
I've paid quite good sum of money here, i'm going to give them a call if I can change the date
May 10, 2010, 8:48 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Surf City, USA
Programs: DL-Dirt AA-Plat 0.1MM AMTK-Select IHG-Gold
Posts: 333
try calling the property directly, and explain what happened. After being refused a refund by the call center, I got a HIX in Amarillo, Texas to refund a pre-purchased room when my truck broke down in Little Rock by explaining that my truck broke down. Maybe they had mercy on me. Maybe the clerk that answered the phone didn't know that he wasn't supposed to refund the money, but he did.
May 11, 2010, 2:05 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Singapore
Programs: IC RA, KrisFlyer, Evergreen
Posts: 551
May 11, 2010, 2:23 am
#7
In Memoriam
Join Date: Sep 2004
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Gold
Posts: 653
Hi All,
Got bit dilemma here, I've book my hotel for my next holiday in July for Tokyo and Osaka. Both place using adv purchase rate.
The problem is, i've been denied a visa to enter Japan for stupid reason (they said I don't have enough savings to stay in japan for 14 days, yet i shown them i have $2500 in my deposit and i keep adding it every week) and I can't apply again in next 6 months. I'm indonesian who live in Australia, that's why i still need visa to enter Japan.
So yea, what is the chance to cancel my reservation and get the money back?
I know the rules are rules
Anyone had similar experience with this?
Thanks
Got bit dilemma here, I've book my hotel for my next holiday in July for Tokyo and Osaka. Both place using adv purchase rate.
The problem is, i've been denied a visa to enter Japan for stupid reason (they said I don't have enough savings to stay in japan for 14 days, yet i shown them i have $2500 in my deposit and i keep adding it every week) and I can't apply again in next 6 months. I'm indonesian who live in Australia, that's why i still need visa to enter Japan.
So yea, what is the chance to cancel my reservation and get the money back?
I know the rules are rules
Anyone had similar experience with this?
Thanks
14 day stay in Japan is quite a chunk of change, hopefully contacting the hotel directly might help, change the dates, as a 1 time exception or something. Do you have any status?Travel insurance not cover it?
And thats a great tip about flexible bookings, its what I do as well.
May 11, 2010, 2:30 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Shanghai and Bavaria
Programs: Spire RA, 1865 Voyager, Bonvoy Titanium, FB LP, LH SEN.
Posts: 3,104
Give them a call.
I had no problem changing dates on adv purchase or F&F rate bookings so far - as long as they get their money, it was fine.
I had no problem changing dates on adv purchase or F&F rate bookings so far - as long as they get their money, it was fine.
May 12, 2010, 2:30 am
#10
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2
Changing your date is pretty easy. Unless you're trying to move to a major event or holiday (Golden Week is out of the question there), you should have no trouble whatsoever. Six months isn't out of the question by any means.
As for canceling, it's not going to happen. Unless you can convince the GM that it actually results in a profit to return your money, you're out of luck. That is one area where every single level of support will deny you directly and without mercy.
As for canceling, it's not going to happen. Unless you can convince the GM that it actually results in a profit to return your money, you're out of luck. That is one area where every single level of support will deny you directly and without mercy.
May 13, 2010, 5:33 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: DCA
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It's been several years but I did once make a non-refundable online reservation, ring up and have them upgrade it to best flex, and then cancel 
May 14, 2010, 6:35 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago
Posts: 74
I've gotten a refund on advance purchase at a couple of US IHG hotels -- most recently in Cooperstown and Toledo. I called the front desk manager and very politely explained that our plans had changed but we'd be coming back that way sooner or later. Neither had to grant the request, but both did with no problem.
Somehow, I doubt it'll be that easy in Japan....
Somehow, I doubt it'll be that easy in Japan....
May 15, 2010, 12:02 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: ua mm, aa plat, starriott LTPP, ihg plat, hh gold.
Posts: 13,017
not sure what agoda is...is that a third party booking engine? you're probably stuck w/the rate. i once booked a prepay through the priority club website and subsequently found a cheaper deal also on the website; i called/emailed the hotel directly and they graciously changed the booking to accomodate me. ymmv, of course...and it does help to be a platinum.