Wyndham Hotel Reservations

[an-unkind-poem.livejournal.com]

Once I heard the overflow hotel rates had been released, I made a quick dash to score a cheap rate for the convention. Instead of calling, I went online to the Wyndham site (it actually came out to be around $2 bucks cheaper a night, ha). I picked the advanced pre-payment option because I wanted to make sure that I had a room with no hassle (there was a problem with last year's reservation at the Holiday Inn Select.. even though we had booked it over the phone months in advanced). This is the "warning" they give you before you purchase and on your confirmation page:

"US Dollar DAILY. Room Charge (101USD),Occupancy Tax 15% (15.15USD) WEBRATES REQURE FULL PRE PAYMENT AND CAN NOT BE MODIFIED OR CANCELLED ONCE BOOKED. YOU MUST PRESENT THE CREDIT CARD USED TO SECURE THIS RESERVATION AT CHECK IN ALONG WITH A VALID PHOTO ID. GO TO WWW.WYNDHAMWEBRATES.COM FOR COMPLETE TERMS & CONDITIONS"

This was all well and dandy except it has been over a month and they have yet to take the funds from my checking account (I purchased with my debit card). When I called the hotel they referred me to "Reservations" and all the lady at Reservations could do was confirm that my reservation was still there. She said that the funds will be taken out "whenever that particular hotel pulls up your reservation" and that it could be anytime from the time I speak to her all the way up the day of check-in.

*takes a breath*

Okay, so basically I just need to know if anyone has had a similar experience. Is this normal? Have the funds not been taken out of your account or charged to your credit card as well?

I just don't want to be all packed and arrive at the Wyndham and have them tell me there has been a problem. I am not afraid to say that at that point I may resort to murder. lol

Comments

[duane-kc.livejournal.com]

It took almost five weeks before they pulled the funds for the rooms I reserved; strangely, once I called to confirm the reservation, they pulled the money from my account the next day.

[katatomic.livejournal.com]

I'm not at the Wyndham but I had a similar issue with the Sheraton--funds were pulled at the beginning of March for the reservation I made in October. Apparently this isn't unusual for a convention so far out in the schedule.

[joyeuse13.livejournal.com]

I don't know about debit cards, but when you pay for a hotel by credit card, they don't charge your card til you check out. I've never had a problem with it.

[noelleleithe.livejournal.com]

This is a prepaid reservation, though.

[geminiknight.livejournal.com]

I had a similar experience with a hotel down in NOLA. They require prepayment, and they did the initial authorization on my card when I booked, but then nothing for the longest time. It wasn't until like 2-3 weeks before the reservation that they finally charged.

[humanrabbit.livejournal.com]

see they told me over the phone that I didn't need to do full prepayment at the wyndam... I have a reservation still... unless they changed it within the past month and a half... or that could be the reason why my credit card was maxed out.

[memysza.livejournal.com]

I think it has more to do with specific room rates. In '06 when I did con-rate phone reservations I didn't owe until check out, but this year because I took a special website rate I owed in full up front, though I still have rights to a refund if I cancel before Con.

Overall the websites seem to be more picky about their details in order to ensure a commitment, especially in advance.

[ldsman.livejournal.com]

How far away from the con is the cnn center? I am looking at a mystery hotel and am trying to figure out which one is better.

[memysza.livejournal.com]

It appears to be just West of the bottom corner of Centennial Olympic Park, which you can compare to the D*C points of interest on this lovely google map someone made: http://tiny.cc/JjlkV

[tofunugget.livejournal.com]

I had a similar issue with the Sheraton, and it caused a number of overdrafts on my account. In order to get my money back, I had to cancel my reservation. However, I raised enough of a stink about it that they refunded my overdraft charges as well, and reinstated my reservation at the con rate. They told me, however, that they would take out my deposit when I told them to. I told them to. They haven't taken it out yet. It's been over a week.