On 5/4/23 I looked at my credit card and I noticed that my balance was extremely high. When I reviewed my statement, I noticed that Holiday Inn Express New Orleans, 334 O’Keefe Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112 had fraudulently billed $847.78. This was booked on Expedia, and I had the option to pay now or pay at the Hotel. I chose the option to pay at the Hotel. The reservation is for 12/30/23 – 01/02/24. I am 74 years old, and this hotel is trying to steal my money. My grandson plays college football and I always save my money so I can attend his games.
I contacted Expedia and Justin (agent on chat line) stated that Expedia did not bill my card and I would need to contact the hotel to get a refund. I called several times to try to reach someone in the billing department each time I reached a voicemail, and my call was never returned. Finally, I found a number for Expedia and spoke with Handann. She said she would call the hotel and ask them to give me a refund. Handann did call the hotel, she said she spoke with the General Manager. She said the manager told her that they would not give me a refund because that is a special event weekend; but I if wanted to go to my doctor and get a note from my doctor stating that I could not travel and fax that information to the Hotel, then they would give me a refund. I said no absolutely not, I will not ask my doctor for a note, I am 74 years old, and I will not lie about my health. The hotel was not supposed to bill me until I checked in and they have already billed me; I want to cancel the reservation and I want my money. This Hotel and no hotel have the right to request a statement from a customer’s doctor, this is illegal. This is also abusing a Senior; Gen Mgr. needs to be fired. Someone needs to train her on age discrimination. About 30 minutes later I called the hotel (504 524 5400). Coderra (I am not sure how she spells her name) at the front desk answered, I advised her that I wanted to speak the Gen Mgr. I said I just talked Expedia, they called about 30 minutes ago and spoke with Gen Mgr., and I would like to speak with that person. Coderra did not place me on hold, and she did not press the mute button. I could hear her talking to the manager, she told the manager that I was requesting to speak with her. The manager said I do not want to talk to her; tell her that I have already left for the day and tell her to call tomorrow. Coderra’s tone of voice is not friendly at all. Also, why would a manager tell an employee to lie for them? I called Expedia again and spoke with April, I explained everything to her. We talked for several minutes, and she said let me transfer you to my supervisor and she will try to get a refund for you. The reservation that you booked is refundable and you should not be charged at this time. Sarah (supv) was talking with another customer, and I was told she would call me back, she called me back at 9:45PM. She put me on hold and tried several times to get through to the hotel. Sarah said she would keep trying to reach the hotel and they would get back with me in 72 hours. She said if the hotel refuses to give you and refund, you can dispute this with your credit card company. She said because the hotel billed you, we do not have a way to give you a refund. On 5/5/23, I called the hotel again, I spoke with Gen Mgr Brandi, she was rude, nasty, talked over me and would not listen. She was screaming at me and hung up on me. I asked her for the number for the Corp office and she said they cannot help you and they will refer you back to me. She kept saying over and over, you booked this through a third party. She said are you an IHG member, I said yes, she said why did you not book through them. I said, because I always use Expedia, and this is the first time that a hotel has billed me in advance and refused to give me my money. The entire conversation she was rude, nasty, and refused to cancel the reservation and refuse to refund my money. Several times I tried to explain to her that this is for a college football game, and I am not sure if the game will be there that weekend. I would never pay that far in advance because I am not sure about the schedule. Brandi was very rude, nasty and would not give me a refund and this is not my mistake. The reservation shows that I can pay at the hotel, and I will get a full refund if I cancel before 12/28/23. The hotel billed my card on 4/26/23, that is several months before December. She was screaming at me and hung up on me. This hotel is trying to take advance of me because I am a Senior and they want to keep my money. People like her try to take advantage of Seniors because they think we are stupid. During football season I travel every weekend to go to his games. I have stayed in a lot of hotels, and this is the rudest, nastiest person with which I have ever dealt. Someone in the Holiday Inn Organization needs to fire her for abusing Seniors.