Cautionary tale re paying for overseas birdingtrips

I booked a hotel in Singapore via a booking agency but I was delayed.. I rang them to get the booking transferred but they stated I had to cancel, hotel policy, and rebook and pay again. I said I would get back to them but I did not. When I got to Singapore Airport there are instant accommodation agencies just outside the gates so I booked into the same hotel. When I got there they said that it was not there policy and I could have transferred without a problem. Trouble is finding the hotel contact number as on the web they all seemed to go through the same agencies.

Cheers Chris

2 comments to Cautionary tale re paying for overseas birdingtrips

  • David Adams

    Generally, the consumer protection features of Australian cards are very limited compared to their American counterparts :( ===============================

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  • Anonymous

    At least here in the U.S., the best thing to do is pay with a credit card when you need to pay upfront. If there is a problem, you can normally get the card issuer to credit you and charge back the merchant. Also, if a tour operator goes bankrupt, you can often get a refund through the credit card company that you are unlikely to get otherwise.

    Eric Jeffrey Falls Church, VA USA

    In a message dated 1/28/2013 6:59:52 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, cbrandis@speedlink.com.au writes:

    I booked a hotel in Singapore via a booking agency but I was delayed.. I rang them to get the booking transferred but they stated I had to cancel, hotel policy, and rebook and pay again. I said I would get back to them but I did not. When I got to Singapore Airport there are instant accommodation agencies just outside the gates so I booked into the same hotel. When I got there they said that it was not there policy and I could have transferred without a problem. Trouble is finding the hotel contact number as on the web they all seemed to go through the same agencies.

    Cheers Chris