Otel.com (not hotels.com) - Experience?

[tigger137]

otel.com (not hotels.com) are offering an excellent deal on the Hyatt MCO, and a refundable rate too.

However, a quick google search came up with far more negative reviews than positive. Many of the negatives appeared to be linked with customers being charged in a currency different to the one they were expecting, which I don't think would be a problem for me. But there did seem to be instances of people turning up and no hotel room having been booked for them, or not being able to get a refund on cancellation.

Has anyone had any experience of booking with otel.com please?

 

[wayneg]

Used them for our trip last October. recommended to me by UKDEB. No problems at all. I went thru Quidco and used a discount code which made them far cheaper than anywhere else.

Only slight problem I had was getting the discount code to work as well as getting Quidco. Took some messing about but got there in the end.

 

[Kath2003]

Used them for something somewhere, no issues.

 

[gavvy]

I've not used them, mainly because the upfront price quoted did not include Tax. I think they are based in Israel. As long as you pay on a credit card and its over £100 then you are protected anyway.

 

[wayneg]

I've not used them, mainly because the upfront price quoted did not include Tax. I think they are based in Israel. As long as you pay on a credit card and its over £100 then you are protected anyway.

They are part of MetGlobal
MetGlobal is an international company with offices in Istanbul, New York

If you search direct on their site initial price is pre tax, search thru a search engine like Trivago and the prices are inclusive. Either way its the final price after discounts and cashback that matters and they have some great prices at times, the one we booked last Oct cost about £30/nt, all other sites were nearing £60/nt.

 

[tigger137]

Thank you. I think I'll give them a try.

 

[wayneg]

Don't know if you have tried a code but just came across this one:
5% off Otel.com: OTEL5OFF

 

[tigger137]

Thanks Wayne. I actually used the code OTEL10OFF and saved a little more money.

Well, I'm hoping I have. Because some of the negative reviews I'd seen referred to being charged in another currency I had a good look at the FAQs. The website clearly states that, "Rate displays on our website can be viewed and charged in 14 different currencies" and, "For any other currency that are not in the currency selection; the default currency for charges will be €. The actual currency and amount that will be charged will be shown to you on the actual Booking page".

However, although the booking page showed the price in £sterling (I took a screenshot), once I'd given my credit card details, the confirmation page showed that I will be charged in Turkish Lira!

I was quoted £85.89 on the booking page but I suspect that the actual cost will be higher once it appears on my credit card.

If it's only a few quid difference then it will still be a good deal, but annoying. And it doesn't instil me with confidence that I'll actually have room when I arrive at the hotel.

 

[wayneg]

In tha situation I always use a fee free credit card, I have both Post Office & Halifax Clarity. Even if they charge me in a different currency I still get full interbank rate, it would annoy me so much if I got charged 3% conversion fee.

 

[tigger137]

Haven't got an issue with paying in another currency, but don't like being told it's in sterling then being charged in Turkish Lira. Very misleading and bad customer practice. And gives me no confidence in the company.

 

[tigger137]

Just an update in case anyone is looking for information on otel.com.

When the charge came through on my credit card it worked out at over £90, not the £85.89 quoted.

On principal, I've now cancelled the booking, even though I will no doubt lose out on the exchange rate for the refund. But I was unhappy at being misled and knew I would be uncomfortable about the booking right up until check-in, in case anything else wasn't quite right. Indeed, probably up until check-out, in case there was anything else they hadn't disclosed.

I did get an answer from Customer Service when I submitted a query. They told me that it was because I paid with Amex that I was charged in Turkish Lira, if I'd paid with any other credit card I would have paid in sterling. Well, that isn't what it says on the website, so how was I meant to know? And it does beg the question, why? If anything, I'd expect Amex to default to $US.

I have no problem paying in another currency, it's something I do regularly. But I expect to be able to make an informed decision.

I've now rebooked through a UK-based company for £86.00, still a refundable rate. Pity they weren't offering that price before I booked with otel.com!

 

[wayneg]

Just to add I used Otel.com again a few weeks ago to book our hotel in Florida for July.
They sent me a 10% discount code for my Birthday in January so it made them cheaper than anyone else. If the 6% Quidco pays as well then thats a £42 bonus.

Credit card statement just arrived. Price was exactly as quoted £699.30. It says taken by otel.com Istanbul Turkey.

Shame you were not happy with their service, I can't fault them.

 

[gavvy]

If the refund is for less than the amount paid due to currency fluctuations, then you should be able to claim back the difference from your credit car provider, you will have to call them to dispute the amount, bit of a hassle but worth it if its for a lot of money.

I did it when RPR took a "deposit" off my card for $100 a night for incidentials- I thought they would just Authorize the card for that amount but they took $700, took them a week after check out to refund it back by which time id lost £30 in exchange rates, I got the difference back from my credit card