Review:Do Your Homework Before Booking a Room with Orbitz

We tried to book a timeshare with RCI, but they didn't have any in the area. They informed us that the RCI Points Partners would find us a good hotel.

We found out upon checking in that our room had been booked by Orbitz. They had taken the difference from the amount of money through points, $232, and the $172.24 the hotel had charged them for the 2 nights. RCI had also charged a fee of $32 for the booking.

I have written a review of the St. Augustine Beachfront Resort, which was the worst hotel we have stayed in, in the 50+ years of traveling in America, and around the world. Even countries that have lower standards than the U.S.A. have better rooms than this dump.

Anyway, back to Orbitz.

When I returned I emailed Orbitz a complaint about this hotel, and told them that I wouldn't wish this place on anyone. I also asked about the difference from the $232 that RCI insisted the hotel cost, and the $174.24 that Orbitz had paid.

I received an email from them saying that they would need more information, and would I phone customer service. I had written a 20 paragraph letter, and put a link to the 7 minute video of the room, the garbage overflowing, and the rusty broken walkways, dog sh..t, etc.

So today I telephoned Orbitz, and waited 20 minutes for someone to pick up. Then I explained everything to the lady, and asked if she could pull up my email. She told me that she didn't have a computer. I quickly outlined the problems and told her that I wanted this property taken off of their list, and for them not to put another family through the pain, and suffering.

She put me on hold twice, and still didn't come up with any answers, so I asked for a Supervisor. He came on, and I told him about the difference in money, and was that their commission for clicking on the hotel link, which I could have done. Then the second problem of not wanting anyone to go into a room that should have been condemned.

He put me on hold for another 10 minutes, and then came back and told me that he didn't have the phone number for RCI. I told him to forget about the difference in money, but what could be done about getting this resort off their list. He told me that he thought Corporate would have to do it.

Len got on the phone then, and asked him outright, "Does anyone from Orbitz check out hotels before they put families in them". His answer was "No".

Before you think about booking a hotel with Orbitz remember that if you haven't selected the hotel yourself, and just asked for one on St. Augustine Beach, you will get this property that you wouldn't want your worst enemy to step on the black carpet, or the grimed in tiles. Let alone use one of the 2 gray, hard towels, that aren't even bath size.

I will still use Orbitz for flights and renting cars, but please do your homework before using them to book a hotel. Your health is more important than them giving you the cheapest hotel in the area.