ORBITZ Hotel Reservations

An on-line hotel reservation was made for my husband's business for the evening of 3/14/07 at the Comfort Inn in Vicksburg, MS total amount of $80.44. The reservation was booked 3/6/07. We received a 'friendly' on-line reminder on 3/12/07.

My husband's business took him to Vicksburg, MS a day earlier than planned so he checked into the hotel on 3/13/07. Upon doing so he learned that the hotel did not have his next day (3/14/07) reservation. He also learned that the fair was cheaper when checking in person than through ORBITZ.

I cancelled the on-line reservation the evening of 3/13/07…..remember the hotel still didn't have the reservation for a day later 3/14/07!!!! I was notified on-line I would be charged full fair $80.44 since I was canceling less than 24 hours before reservation.

I called customer service -888-656-4556 immediately asking why I have to pay full penalty when ORBITZ had not even made the reservation at the hotel. After several times being placed on hold, the rep continued to tell me I cancelled less than 24-hours before reservation and that 'sometimes' ORBITZ didn't send the hotel reservations til the day before.

I sent an on-line customer complaint asking for help. They told me to call 1-888-656-4556 and ask for a supervisor.

Folks, this is an unacceptable scenario on many levels:

#1 - ORBITZ didn't send the reservation to hotel as of 4pm the night before the reservation date

#2 - ORBITZ charged full penalty fair when the reservation was never made with the hotel

#3 - There is no person/place to complain to or plead with as a higher authority

#4 - The fares offered under ORBITZ are not cheaper than booking directly with the hotel.