"Warning: Red Roof Inn" Topic

With Historicon almost upon us, I thought it wise to give a heads up about my experiences with Red Roof Inn at Cold Wars 2018.

In brief, I booked my room through a third party site (e.g. Orbitz, Expedia, etc.). Arrived, they had me in the system, I checked in. Of course they require a card on file, despite my prepaying, in case I pull a Keith Moon during my visit.

Two weeks after CW, I see a charge on my card for the entire stay. Ironically, it was less than what I paid through the booking site, but they still charged me for a room I had already paid for. Of course I brought this to their attention immediately, providing a copy of the booking voucher, but I have not been refunded my money. In fact, they haven't responded to me at all.

So, be aware and watch your billing statements folks.

I know about that,South Indianapolis Red Roof had mildew smell,no change of linens or towels,ice machine was busted.

Contesting the charges will be easy. Contact your issuing bank, if the red roof people haven't made good in a timely fashion.

I had to do something similar with one of the hotels at Valley Forge back when Historicon was there for a couple of summers.

My room was paid for because I volunteered, but when I went to check out they had all kinds of room service charges and stuff on there that neither I nor my roommate had ordered. They were just charged to the room number by party or parties unknown.

VISA was great about helping me fight the charges and they were finally dropped (wow, makes it sound as though I committed a crime!)

I'll throw this out there too. Don't pay by credit/debit card if you decide to eat at Golden Corral across the street. Last year I did, and my credit card info was stolen. A few weeks later I noticed a bunch of charges in downtown Lancaster start popping up on my bill. It was the only place in Lancaster I used it, so I know the culprit was probably the person at the front swiping cards. After a phone call the charges were taken off and I was issued a new card but it was still an unwelcome hassle.

I'm at the Red Roof at the Historicon this year. I hope it goes ok. Sheesh- it's getting to be that you can't trust anyone.

I had a similar experience in San Francisco last year at a different chain hotel. I only used my card at only that one particular location but the next day my card was used across town. Clearly the front desk guy stole my number. Luckily my credit card company identified it as being fraudulent and denied the charges.

This kind of stuff is happening everywhere though. I have had my business CC replaced several times in the past 4-5 years. Last year following Historicon, I noted a $2,500 USD purchase of a Bowflex on my card. Took about 1.5 months to get it refunded by my bank. I still wonder who swiped my numbers that time.

Is there anything one can do to prevent this?? I hate a thief!!!

The best you can do is to not hand out your card to anyone that will take it out of your sight for any period of time (this is why restaurants cause so many issues). Otherwise, closely monitor your transactions so you can contact the bank once any fraudulent transactions are noted.

Many banks have become good at noting unusual transactions and will freeze your card quickly to avoid additional transactions. This becomes a problem at shows since the bank thinks your card is being used at locations all across the country at roughly the same time (think where all the vendors are from). We usually have 6-7 folks at Historicon who have their card declined and they have to contact their bank to straighten it out (and some get mad at us).

My bank now sends a text message questioning unusual purchases so I can usually correct it right away.

I don't think it was a war gamer who order the Bowflex.

Credit card security has gotten a lot tighter, I was notified by a hotel in Europe that my card had been declined twice when I tried to make a reservation, even after I responded to a "fraud alert" text from the issuer. Third time, as they say, was a charm. I'm now looking forward to Crisis 2018, but have to survive Historicon first.

Staying at the Red Roof Inn was your first mistake.

It was a nice hotel when it opened number of years ago; once it changed ownership, the place went down the shitter.

The lobby smells like BO, cheese and shattered hopes and dreams, that place rents rooms by the hour, there was a lot of that sort of activity going on there the last time I stayed there four years ago.

If your freckles start moving around when you get home, don't blame me.

Yeah, but it was the only room available in 10 miles when I tried to book. I used to stay there when it was the Macintosh, in the 90s. It was nice then. It's definitely a pit now.

And just to reemphasize, my card wasn't compromised, the SOBs charged me twice for the same room.

Anyhoo, I'm in the Tru (Hipster Hilton, as I call them) for H'con and I'll probably make that my usual if I start attending cons on the regular again.