Beware when booking vacation travel
This summer is starting to look very different from last year, as many folks book vacation getaways. Beware, you could be stuck paying unexpected fees that could put a dent in your budget.
It happened to Stephanie Blank who was seeking a needed break after caring for her aging parents.
She booked three nights at a Best Western in Port Dover, Ont., but when she checked out, she experienced sticker shock. The bill for three nights was $403, which was expected. However, she didn’t expect to pay nearly 50 per cent more in extra fees: $187 for a booking fee from HotelValues.com. The total cost - $590.
"I was totally shocked I couldn't even believe that it's happened," she said. “Little did I realize until after the fact that it wasn't the Best Western I was booking with, it was this third party but they acted as though they were Best Western."
And Blank says she had trouble contacting at the third-party website.
"I tried to talk to somebody, every single option I pressed nobody would come to the phone. All I got was answering machines."
CTV News emailed HotelValues.com but got a bounce back on the email. Two calls were placed to a hotline number but were hung up on twice.
There are negative online reviews about the website and others complaining that they also felt that they were dealing with a hotel, not a third party.
When searching for a hotel, beware of the first link that pops up, only deal with reputable websites, pay attention to the URL and consider calling the hotel directly to make sure you’re not on a third-party website.
This could happen with booking any kind of travel whether airfares and rental cars or even when you buy products online.
A U.S. study found one in four Americans say they've been tricked by third-party websites.
In addition to extra fees, you could also face hassles making changes or cancelling after booking on one of those websites and sometimes your room may not be guaranteed. If you find a deal on a third-party website, ask if the hotel or rental car company would be willing to match it.
Dealing directly with the original supplier may ensure better service and you could also earn points for extra perks.
With files from CTV’s Pat Foran
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.