On July 7, 2009 I made special advanced reservations at Hampton Inn in Johnson City, NY for the nights of July 24 and July 25, 2009. While making the "special advanced reservations" I received a special rate while agreeing that the payment for the reservations were non-refundable.
Sometime around July 21 I became aware that I required back surgery. The surgery was scheduled for July 28 and in the meantime it was impossible for me to travel in the car for anything other than short distances. I called Hampton Inn to cancel my reservations. I was told that the only way I could cancel my "special advanced reservations" and receive a refund
was if I were in the hospital on the days of my reservations. I explained
that I could not travel but that wasn't good enough. I asked to speak to a
supervisor and was forwarded to the supervisor's (Valerie Scott) voice mail.
I left a message. After a couple of days of not hearing back from the
supervisor I called again and left another voice mail message. A day later
Valerie Scott returned my message and refused to give me a refund (and in a rude way I might add). I asked to speak to Valerie Scott's supervisor and
was given the number for Evonne Mouvee. I called and left a voice mail message. As of October 2, 2009 I have not heard back from Evonne Mouvee.
I called customer service for Hilton Corporation (Hampton Inn is part of
Hilton Corp) and was told that they could not help me.
On July 25, 2009 I wrote letters to Hilton Corporation in Carrollton, TX, to
Blackstone Group in NYC, NY (the parent company of Hilton Corp), to the Better
Business Bureau, and sent an email to guest_assistance_team AT hilton.com. To
this date (October 2, 2009) I have heard back only from the Better Business
Bureau.
I travel frequently and have always looked to stay in Hampton Inn first. Not anymore.
I realize that technically Hampton Inn is not in the wrong here but considering
all the business I have given them I feel that I should be shown some consideration. I haven't even received as much as an acknowledgment from Hampton Inn's email customer service, their brick & mortar customer service department, or from their parent company's customer service department.