Search Travel Market Report

ALGV
riviera
mainlogo
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Barbara Peterson
    • Brian Israel
    • Daine Taylor
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Jessica Montevago
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Mary Gostelow
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Steve Gillick
Sponsored By NCL
Sponsored By NCL
globus

Family Left Stranded When Expedia Booking Goes Wrong

by Richard D'Ambrosio / July 10, 2017
Family Left Stranded When Expedia Booking Goes Wrong

Photo: Viaggio Routard


A Washington state family learned how easy it is to find themselves stranded when online travel agent reservations go awry, when a resort overbooked them through Expedia.

Holly Parsons told ABC News in Seattle that she booked a three-night, $874-stay in a condominium at the WorldMark Seventh Mountain Resort in Bend, OR, four months in advance. A few weeks before the getaway, Parsons said she received an email saying that her reservation was cancelled due to overbooking. She was offered no refund at that time.

Expedia told the ABC News affiliate that since the cancellation was “caused by external factors beyond the direct control of Expedia," a policy listed in the company’s terms and conditions, Expedia had “no liability and will make no refund.”

Parsons told ABC that she spent about 6 ½ hours over three days on the phone with Expedia customer service before they offered her $500 in Expedia vouchers and three nights in a Holiday Inn Express near her destination, a lacrosse tournament where one of her sons was competing.

She called her Expedia customer service experience “awful,” “dealing with multiple, multiple people and repeating myself,” and considered the vouchers and offer to do business with Expedia again “a ripoff.”

"I wasn't receiving cash in return. I'm receiving vouchers to do business with an entity that I'm not sure that I ever would want to do — or ever would recommend to do — business with ever again," Parsons said.

Expedia told the ABC News affiliate that "We apologize for the inconvenience and frustration Holly Parsons experienced and can confirm our team contacted her to successfully resolve this case. At Expedia, we strive to provide the highest level of customer service, and any time there is an issue with an Expedia booking, we recommend that our customers contact our excellent customer service team."

In an ABC News Good Morning America segment about the story, ABC News pointed out that Expedia and the lodging industry are only obligated by “practice” to rebook overbooked clients, and that there are no laws protecting consumers from these situations.

  18
  11
globus
Related Articles
How Personal Can an Online Agency Be? Aussie’s Luxury Escapes Counts the Ways
Three Online Booking Horror Stories That Show Why You Should Always Use a Travel Agent
Expedia Talks Partnerships with Marriott and United
Expedia Becomes Exclusive Distributor of Marriott Wholesale Rates
Look-a-Like Travel Booking Websites Could Cost Consumers
Expedia Agrees to Settlement After Violating New Cuba Travel Regulations
Three Online Booking Horror Stories That Show the Value of a Good Travel Agent
When Travel Plans Changed, Industry Veteran’s Knowledge Saved Him Money
Orbitz and Comfort Inn Play Ping Pong with Traveler’s Money
Report: Millennials Are the Most Vacation Deprived

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. U.S. Will Require Negative COVID-19 Tests for All International Visitors
  2. Thailand Introduces New Tourist Tax for International Travelers
  3. Op-ed: Five Travel Predictions for 2021
  4. Marriott to Open Seven EDITION HOTELS in 2021
  5. Kauai Reopens to Tourists with New Travel Rules in Place
  6. Caribbean Destinations, Hotels Work to Meet to New CDC Requirements

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. U.S. Will Require Negative COVID-19 Tests for All International Visitors
  2. Caribbean Destinations, Hotels Work to Meet to New CDC Requirements
  3. Kauai Reopens to Tourists with New Travel Rules in Place
  4. ASTA: CDC Testing Requirement ‘Threatens to Create a Logistical Crisis’
  5. What Advisors Need to Know About the Latest COVID-19 Relief Package
  6. American Airlines Launches Health Passport to Help Passengers with COVID Test Requirements
Tip of the Day

I think being in contact with [my clients] gave them more confidence in me and the suggestions I offer.

Linda Kinsey, Custom Travel & Cruise

 Share...
Daily Top List
Brought To You By

5 Things Every Travel Agency Should Do To Boost Business

1. Specialize
2. Give a personal touch
3. Find your niche and sell an experience
4. Maintain a high standard of quality
5. Become a salesman…but inspire trust

Source: Azavista.com

 Share...
Previous Daily Top List
globus
Top Stories
G Adventures Brings Back Popular Agent Incentive
G Adventures Brings Back Popular Agent Incentive

The “G-Normous” agent incentive program is back for the eighth consecutive year.

Read...
Pleasant Holidays Expands Zero Change Fee Policy to All Destinations
Pleasant Holidays Expands Zero Change Fee Policy to All Destinations

The tour operator announced the elimination of brand change fees for land vacations to all destinations in their product lines.

Read...
Reflecting on 2020: This Year 'Took Us on Some Type of Roller Coaster'
Reflecting on 2020: This Year 'Took Us on Some Type of Roller Coaster'

As 2020 comes to an end, TMR invited a number of travel advisors and suppliers from all over the world to pen their own letter to the industry, reflecting on the year that was and looking to 2021.

Read...
Pleasant Holidays Rolls Out Social Media Marketing Resource for Travel Advisors
Pleasant Holidays Rolls Out Social Media Marketing Resource for Travel Advisors

The free, pre-messaged social media posts provide travel advisors with images and customizable content they can publish on their own channels. 

Read...
The Travel Corporation Launches COVID-19 Insurance Program
The Travel Corporation Launches COVID-19 Insurance Program

The new plans are available for new bookings made on or after Dec. 15, for travel starting on April 1, 2021.

Read...
Reflecting on 2020: New Beginnings and Reconnecting With Cultures in 2021
Reflecting on 2020: New Beginnings and Reconnecting With Cultures in 2021

As 2020 comes to an end, TMR invited a number of travel advisors and suppliers from all over the world to pen their own letter to the industry, reflecting on the year that was and looking to 2021.

Read...
News Briefs
  • Contiki Launches New U.S. National Park Trips
  • Join Avanti's Travel Advisor Webinar
  • Insight Vacations to Debut Journeys to Latin America For the First Time
  • ALG Vacations Launches Digital Publication for Travel Advisors
  • TTC Brands Now Include Specially Trained Well-Being Director
  • The Travel Corporation Introduces ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ Option
TMR Outlooks
Expedition 2020
Wellness Outlook
Distribution Outlook
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/-C65Uqm5evk/0.jpg
Video: Why Consumers Should Use a Travel Agent in 2021
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
243 South Street, OysterBay, NY, 11771
News|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2021 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy