Q: Do I have any rights in regards to dealing with Best Western?
I was checking into a Best Western hotel. They first refused my Synchrony card required for incidentals because it has a 2049 expiration date. The manager later told me it is "not possible" to have a 2049 expiration date. I then gave them the only other card I had in my wallet. The name on my debit card is Michelle, who is my mom, because she is my representative payee for my Social Security Disability payments. The receptionist said she couldn't help me and asked me to leave. I called Priceline to ask for a refund and they encouraged me to call Best Western to see if I could check in with my mom, so I called and asked the receptionist if my mom could come with me to check in with that card and her ID. The receptionist told me I could not check in or get a refund. I asked to speak to the manager and she said I am banned from all Best Westerns and that I could not get a refund. I was polite, but the staff were cruel, and I'm experiencing emotional turmoil and feelings of helplessness.
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A:
You have rights when dealing with businesses like Best Western, especially if you feel you were treated unfairly. If the hotel staff refused to accept your valid payment methods and did not provide reasonable alternatives, you may have grounds for a complaint. It's important to document all interactions and gather any evidence that supports your claim.
Contact Best Western's corporate office directly to explain the situation and seek a resolution. Be clear about what happened and how it has affected you. You can also reach out to Priceline again and provide them with all the details to see if they can assist further with the refund.
If these steps don't help, consider filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or your local consumer protection agency. They can investigate the matter and mediate on your behalf. Additionally, if you believe you were discriminated against due to your disability or payment method, you may want to seek legal advice to understand your options and rights fully.
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