Dear Editor,

I decided to write you adding my experience because I want complain about fraudulent online hostel booking but I'm a tourist (italian scientist researcher) and I don't know very well the best way to do it in USA.

I booked online a hostel in New York last July (I have the receipt you can read below) but when my plane arrived in NY (during the evening) I phoned to the hostel and they simply told me than there aren't rooms! I didn't find any other rooms that night (was a Saturday night in very high season period)except very expensive hotels so I decided to sleep in my car with my husband and my son but it was not a great experience and it could has been dangerous!

I hope you can help me and send this letter to competent organizations.

Thank you very much
Dr. Milena Merlo Pich

From : [email protected]
To : [email protected]
Cc :
Date : Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:29:02 +0100
Subject : Your Confirmed Booking from hostelworld.com



Booking Confirmation (4561-7658102)

Confirmed for Milena Merlo Pich at 09:29:01 25th Jul '07

Hostel Info
Greenpoint YMCA
99 Meserole Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11222
New York

p. +1 (718) 389 3700
f. +1 (718) 349-2146
e. [email protected]
Booking Info
Date Room Type USD Persons Total EUR
28th Jul '07 2 Bed, Private Room (Shared Bathroom) 34.00 2 68.00 51.17
28th Jul '07 2 Bed, Private Room (Shared Bathroom) 34.00 2 68.00 51.17
29th Jul '07 2 Bed, Private Room (Shared Bathroom) 34.00 2 68.00 51.17
29th Jul '07 2 Bed, Private Room (Shared Bathroom) 34.00 2 68.00 51.17
TOTAL: 272.00 204.66
Deposit: 27.20 20.47
Service Charge: 2.00 1.50
Cancellation Protection: 3.00 3.00
Charge on Card (Service Charge + Deposit): - 24.22
AMOUNT DUE ON ARRIVAL AT GREENPOINT YMCA:
244.80 -

NOTE: A non-refundable charge of EUR24.22 has been billed to your credit card.

Upon arrival at your accommodation the BALANCE OF USD 244.80 IS PAYABLE. You are due to arrive here at 21.00. For your convenience, we have stored your booking in [1]your account
in the new Hostelworld Travel Network
You have purchased Cancellation Protection for this booking.
If you wish to cancel this booking, do so through [2]your account.
Your account with then be credited with the value of the cancellation.
To download your New York City Guide, [3]click here.
This is an automatic email please do not reply to this email.
Contact hostelworld about your booking [4]here!

DIRECTIONS
From La Guardia or JFK International Airport, take the New York Airport Service bus to 42nd Street & Times Square. Take the underground metro to 14th Street then transfer to the L train to Lorner Street. Transfer at Lormer St. to the Queens bound G train, one stop to Nassau St. Go upstairs and walk to Meserole Avenue. CONDITIONS

* The outstanding amount is payable to the property directly upon your arrival.
* Cancellations must be notified directly to the accommodation provider at least 24 hours prior to arrival
* In the event of a no show, your card will be charged for the first nights accomodation total.
* For any changes to an existing reservation, please contact the accommodation provider directly
* Should your credit card expire or your credit card details change prior to arrival, please contact the accommodation provider directly with the amended details
* In the event of cancellation, the booking deposit and booking fee are non-refundable.
* Please read our [5]Terms & Conditions
* If you have a question, please see our [6]FAQ.