In April I was making reservations online for a hotel for myself and my daughter. During the transaction, the following 'conversation' transpired:
Jessica says: Hi SUSAN, I'm Jessica and just for visiting Ramada today, we'd like to give you the opportunity to get $20 off your Ramada reservation. Please type HI or HELLO in the space below to let me know you are there...
Jessica says: Just type HI in the space below...
Jessica says: Are you with me SUSAN?
Jessica says: Whenever you are ready, just type HI or HELLO and we can get started...
Jessica says: Just let me know you are there...
SUSAN says: hi
SUSAN says: I was trying to change my hotel location, but didn't find a convenient way of doing so
Jessica says: Hi SUSAN I have great news! Just for chatting with me today, I can increase your savings from $20 to $30! That's a $30 cash back mail-in rebate on the reservation you just made!
Jessica says: This comes along with a membership to Ramada Travelers Advantage with the first 30 days FREE. You'll enjoy FULL ACCESS to our travel agency and get our LOW PRICE GUARANTEE on all of your eligible travel reservations!
Jessica says: And even if you decide to cancel, you can still get your $30 cash back mail-in rebate... It's our way of saying THANK YOU just for trying Ramada Travelers Advantage.
Jessica says: You have a full month to sample all the money saving benefits after joining the Ramada Travelers Advantage program. If you wish to take advantage of this great offer, we will obtain the reservation information that you just provided to Ramada, including credit card number and billing address, and activate your membership, where the first 30 days are free.
SUSAN says: that's great. Are you attached to Ramada?
Jessica says: Yes.
Jessica says: Unless you call to cancel during the 30-day trial period, your benefits will automatically continue at the low $11.00 monthly membership fee, or the then-current monthly fee, and will be automatically billed monthly to the credit card account you just provided to without you having to do anything further.
SUSAN says: so, if I change my locations, it's the same deal?
Jessica says: I just want to make sure that you understand, you can receive the package in the mail, and look it over. If you feel like it is not something you can use, just cancel by calling 800-678-3029 anytime within 30 days...
Jessica says: Your satisfaction is very important to us! You can cancel at any time by calling the toll-free number provided in the membership materials and you won't be billed another dime. Remember, the $30 cash back mail-in rebate for your reservation is yours to keep no matter what you decide!
Jessica says: So SUSAN, with your approval under the terms I just described and your confirmation that you're over 18, I'll activate your membership to Ramada Travelers Advantage with the first 30 days free, and send out your $30 cash back mail-in rebate certificate. Is that OKAY with you?
SUSAN says: yes, that is fine with me
Jessica says: Great, so we will send you your $30 cash back mail-in rebate certificate and you will have 30 days to try out Travelers Advantage absolutely free. If you do not cancel within the free trial, the credit card you used today will be billed $11 a month (or the then current fee) as long as you wish to remain a member.
Jessica says: And just to confirm your acceptance of the Travelers Advantage offer, may I have your mother's maiden name?
SUSAN says: no
SUSAN says: any other way to confirm?
Jessica says: If you are uncomfortable with providing us with your mother's maiden name for confirmation, we can accept your city of birth, date of birth, or elementary school as an alternative.
SUSAN says: elementary school - LakeShore Elementary - San Mateo, Ca
Jessica says: Thanks... And just to confirm, we will go ahead and bill your membership to the credit card you provided to, okay?
SUSAN says: yes, that's fine
Jessica says: If you ever need to change this information in the future, you can update it via our toll-free 800 number that you will receive in your welcome packet which will arrive within the next three to four weeks. Your trial term will not begin until you receive your welcome packet.
Jessica says: You will also receive an email with your $30 hotel mail-in rebate form within 72 hours of accepting the trial Travelers Advantage membership. Simply send us your Ramada hotel receipt along with a printout of the rebate certificate we'll send you via email, and we'll send you a check for $30.
SUSAN says: excellent, thanks
Needless to say, I didn't receive this via email, but I did receive a paper copy of a form to fill out for a rebate, to which i copied, filled out and sent in. About 4 weeks later, I recieved a check for $8.56. I then called (the beginning of June) to find out what happened, and the rep told me i filled out the wrong form, but for my trouble, he would be sending me a certificate for $80 in gas vouchers. That was 4 weeks ago and I called again today and spoke with Nelson who said that the vouchers were in fact sent out. I asked him to verify my address, to which he did. He canceled my account and provided a confirmation number and at that time, I asked to speak to a supervisor. Essentially, she told me that she didn't have note of the conversation I had back in June. And now that my membership was canceled, the vouchers would be no good. Wow - what a great scheme! Charge me 11/month and i get one check for $8.56. I travel a lot, and that's no advantage to me!
Susan
Magalia, California
U.S.A.
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