As the plans for the trip across the pond begin to take shape, it has become more evident that I am venturing from my homeland into a land unknown; we are talking currency conversion here. And although I just attempted to download an app for it on my iPad (but it was going to require reading the new "Terms and Conditions" which total 36 pages) I decided to forgo the research and blog ahead.
So, earlier this week I questioned 2 charges on my AmEx that were an integral part of my pre-planning. Although it would be be a great story to say that my life-long dream has been to venture to England and that as the youngest of 23 children, abandoned at birth and scrambling my whole life to save my pennies for a trip to find my birth parents (a WWII vet and retired English nurse that met in the hospital as he was recovering from the Blitz) that would be what we Americans call bullsh***t (or Reality TV); the real story is that the morning the Royal Wedding date was announced I was playing on my iPad while watching the telly in the lounge and, on a lark, I booked a hotel room in London within minutes of the announcement. It sounded like fun - a girls weekend (or hen party) not at the sea BUT across the sea. Unfortunately, most of the roosters would not allow a hen party so Mary (more about her later)and I decided to forge ahead. I know, what does all this have to do with currency conversion? Patience please!
The Terms and Conditions for the hotel (4-5 star rated, depending on your resource) stated a one-night non-refundable deposit and no cancellation policy. I could accept all those terms easily since I had not talked to my rooster at this point and, at the most, I would be out $215 or a lot of Pounds.
The venture begin to take a life of its own - with Christmas and my birthday both in December the trip became a reality (along with Kayak alerts on a great fare for Virgin Atlantic) as my gifts all came with a British flair (anybody want to buy one of 16 copies of Fodor's London 2011 that I received?).
What I didn't expect was the surprise that came with my AmEx bill with a bill for $1100 for the hotel. I called AmEx and they would happily dispute the claim which I feared would result in me being booted from my room at the inn, which could now sell for quite a few more pounds than my original reservation. Instead I opted to inquire at the hotel direct, via email. Today, they responded "I would like to thank you for highlighting the MISLEADING detail in your confirmation; we have taken action to rectify this in order to avoid confusion." They further confirmed that I have been charged for 744GBP for three night's room and tax. Hmmmm....sounds like the only action taken was responding to my email; which in today's world is known as outstanding customer service.
I mean, doesn't the conversion rate fluctuate wildly? At what rate on what date was my American Express charged? (I bet those Terms and Conditions would be fun to read!) Today $1100 = 681GBP.
And, let's not even get started on the confusion for my tickets to Les Mis which were also on the same bill - two times!
I guess there is a reason they call us "foreigners" but all those waiting for my arrival (and to date, no one has indicated that they are) please take heart, I plan to read those 36 pages of Terms and Conditions before I arrive and download the currency conversion App. After all, I'm in for a penny or for a pound!
Cheerio.
No comments:
Post a Comment