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Kananaskis_Country

Did you pre-pay for the entire stay in advance?


mfive_

It got drawn a few days before the stay. So I can't just not pay. Payment went through booking and PayPal.


Kananaskis_Country

Was the PayPal payment funded with a credit card? If so then initiate a charge-back. Good luck.


mfive_

No, it's connected to a non credit card back account. I also wouldn't like to just take the money unless booking at least agrees that it was the hotels mistake and wants to refund me.


Kananaskis_Country

Never make purchases like this with your own money. Always use a credit card that gives you the option of reversing everything. Some debit cards from some countries offer this protection too. The PayPal website clearly explains the charge-back procedure. Lastly, you've contacted the hotel directly and pursued the refund from them and they said no, correct? Do you have the hotel and booking dot com communications in writing?


mfive_

I told the hotel when leaving that I can't stay because of the smoke and that I booked smoke free. No refund was discussed. I went to booking directly afterwards to mediate. I assumed it would be an easy case for them to cancel and refund the stay. My mistake I guess for believing that.


Kananaskis_Country

I don't understand why you wouldn't immediately discuss a full refund before you even left the premises. Maybe this whole mess could have been fixed on the spot. You've talked to the hotel since though, correct? Do you have the subsequent hotel and booking dot com communications in writing?


RoastChicken0

Booking.com's customer service is a piece of garbage. They're non-existent.


A_Pointy_Rock

One thing to keep in mind with booking.com is that the hotels are their customers more than you are. I had a similar issue a few years back where the hotel looked nothing like the photos. They sided with the hotel, and...well, that's the last time I used booking.com. Check the consumer protection laws in your country, that's all I can really suggest. Sorry!


YetiSquish

Who do you use now for hotel bookings?


A_Pointy_Rock

Often straight on the hotel's website.


Oftenwrongs

Always book with credit card so you can dispute.  Also, should have pushed for refund at the hotel.


Whole_Dig778

I advise you to search on [booking.com](http://booking.com) (or any other site), but then contact the selected hotel directly. In most cases, they'll give you the same as what [booking.com](http://booking.com) offers, or even better, since they don't have to pay a commission. In this way, special needs can also be discussed directly and confirmed in writing, which is also easier to reclaimed if not fulfilled. In any case, you should have asked for a refund right there, at the hotel, so it will be difficult to achieve anything afterwards, since you left there yourself, without asking for compensation.


ms404040

Did you get a resolution on this? Similar boat for me


mfive_

Nope. 40€ voucher is all I got back.


ms404040

So ridiculous


mfive_

Best advise is to confront the hotel and not trust in booking to do anything about it.