AMEX - trouble with charge at Hudson Hotel, NYC - charge dispute

# 62 for May 15, 2002

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on May 14, 2002:

From: richjaffe [Email User]

RE: AMEX - trouble with charge at Hudson Hotel, NYC - charge dispute

I just read your posting in reference to American Express not providing deceptive trade practices for their cardholders. Listen to this.

I made a reservation at the Hudson Hotel in NYC. They had a 2 for one deal. Stay Friday and Saturday night and pay for only one night. We guranteed our reservation with AMEX. We couldn't get there on Friday but stayed Saturday night. I paid for Saturday night and when I got my AMEX bill Hudson hotel charged me a no show fee equal to another nights stay for not showing on Friday.

So instead of paying for 1 night and staying 2, I paid for 2 nights and stayed 1. I tried to get a hold of The Hudson but was unable to speak to anyone other than voice mail and they never called back. I put the charge in dispute and today received a letter from AMEX that the charge would stand. I called customer service and after a frustrating conversation it became obvious that no matter how ridiculous and outrageous this was, AMEX was going to do nothing about it.

Can you imagine anything more crazy as this. I paid for Friday and decided not to stay so I get charged twice. Who else were they going to rent the room to that Friday if I had already reserved and paid for it?

I have been a AMEX cardholder since 1976. It is a business card with substantial balances. I am returning the cards to AMEX never to use it again.

Where is the justice?