Comfort Suites, Waldorf, MD - AAA discount not honored on Sept. 19, 2003

# 9 for September 25, 2003

Complaints.com received the following on September 24, 2003:

From:

RE: Comfort Suites, Waldorf, MD - AAA discount not honored on Sept. 19, 2003

The Complaint

Traveler beware of Comfort Inn & suites and their other hotels; Econolodge, Choice Hotels,Quality, sleep Inn, Clarion,Mainstay Suites and Rodeway Inn

Overview: not given AAA discount during hurricane. I believe we were price gouged Detailed Complaint: On Friday,9-19-03 we made reservations for the following evening at the Comfort Suites in Waldorf, Md. due to the loss of electric/water at our home after hurricane Isabel. We were told we could not check in until after 6p on Saturday the 20th. Upon check out the next day, we presented our AAA card and requested the discount.

The manager,R. Bourne,told us that due to the hurricane he would not honor the discount. We stated that because they were rated highly by AAA we choose to stay there,we told him we did not think it fair that in a time of crisis along the east coast, he could decide not to honor a contract with AAA. That is why we belong to the club.

He said he could & would get full price for all his rooms. Locals did not have a choice with hundreds of thousands of people without electric and more. I have called the corporate headquarters 4 times. I spoke w/Jose 1st who said he thought the hotel did the right thing getting the most $for the room while he could.

I said I was unsatisfied with my stay & him but was refused the chance to speak with a supervisor . He also refused to forward my call to someone else or give me his last name. I called back 3 more times in two days and twice asked to speak with whomever is in charge of the customer service reps. and twice my call was forwarded to a different Voicemail and once I was disconnected.

Desired Settlement: Refund

Desired Outcome: We stayed at the Comfort Suites in Waldorf, Md. The outcome I want,as stated on their web site, is a full refund because not only am I unsatisfied with the hotel service( did I mention I was refused an extra blanket when I asked for 3, on for each of my children because someone else might want some so she had to save some), I believe the manager engaged in price gouging which ,in a crisis, is reprehensible. I called 4 times to the corp. headquarters .

The first time the man was belligerent, the second time I left a message on the voice mail of the person I believe is in charge of cust. ser. reps. The 3rd time I was\\" accidentally\\" disconnected, the 4th time I left a voice mail message with another person I believe is in charge of cust. ser. and still have not received the courtesy of a response.

They advertise that they accept AAA and will give a refund if a cust. is unsatisfied yet they won\'t even discuss this with me. Traveler beware of Comfort Inn & suites and their other hotels; Econolodge, Choice Hotels,Quality, sleep Inn, Clarion,Mainstay Suites and Rodeway Inn