Bankers!!!!

[Lazarus]

Guys,

anyone give advice (educated of course) regarding a little problem of mine?

on 20th April, I paid for a hotel room via credit card.

a month later I cancelled this account - although card remained "active"

On 07th July I cancelled this booking (son was not well - couldnt travel) and the money was allegedly refunded to the "cancelled" card. Hotel company provided me with all of the proof that they had indeed refunded, along with an authorisation code from their bank for the refund payment.

Now, since the 10th of July I have been phoning my ex-credit card company to find out where this money has gone - I certainly dont have it and their account shows a big fat 0.00 balance.

Anything I can do here?

 

[tris-]

unless im mistaken, isnt good that your balance is 0 on a credit card? or was it a positive balance before you booked it?

 

[Lazarus]

tris - its 0 cos I cleared the card and then closed the accoun - before the refund was made

 

[Damini]

I'd have thought that if the account was closed that refund would just bounce back to the hotel in due time?

 

[Lazarus]

nope........acocunt is closed, but remains "active"

 

[Damini]

I don't understand how something can be cancelled and active at the same time. Is this just so they have greater capacity to shaft you should the situation arise? If its active, and you have the reciept of refund, then they must have the money, so surely you can just demand an updated statement on your "active" account. They've probably found a way to add all kinds of charges for activities after closure. Start talking about theft and fraud, and I'm sure wheels will turn quicker.

 

[tris-]

maybe try citizens advice. im also confused on his canceld/active stauts

 

[Tom]

What he means is he cancelled the direct debit, but left the account active.

If the hotel has sent proof of the refund (a small slip of paper with your credit card details and REFUND, together with the slip of paper that shows the original debit), then you should have that money in your account - unless the hotel refunded you before you paid off the credit card.

Beware some hotels do not charge a credit card until you check in/out. So they may never have actually debited your account at all. Check your statements.

 

[Lazarus]

thanks Tom.

Money was debited at time of booking - that shows on my earlier statement.

I have the confirmation of refund from the hotel - damned if I can find it though - been one of those days when I put something down and then cant find it again.

 

[inqy]

I had the same with Egg, except it *did* show up and I got the money. Still waiting to receive said money however. But right now I have +280 quid on my egg balance!!! and yes I closed the account also (before I received the credit back on to the account).

 

[Tom]

When did they refund, and when did you pay off your CC?

 

[old.user4556]

The money may have gone into a suspense account, something like that would be picked up by a reconcilliations department further down the line.

I don't understand how something can be cancelled and active at the same time.

Some CC companies use a third party contractor for their credit card back end systems (EDS provide such a service), if the "brand" want to close an account down, the third party would charge the brand for this. It's easier for the brand to instruct the third party to "close" it by removing the card limit and introducing a block on the card.

The card stays active, but to the customer and brand the card to all intents and purposes is "closed".

Wanky, innit.

 

[Scouse]

The words "financial services ombudsman" spring to mind m8

 

[Lazarus]

Woooopppp.

FINALLY managed to resolve this today.

CC company STILL maintain that they have had no record of the transaction, but they are gonna send me a cheque for the amount plus £23 discretionary payment (tried to argue for more, but couldnt squeeze anything - arseholes)

took a fecking long time tho - now maybe spend the money on a new mobo

 

[TdC]

heh glad you pulled through mate unlike wimpy me with that other thing

 

[Lazarus]

heh glad you pulled through mate unlike wimpy me with that other thing

I think you need to be 100% full blooded scottish to pull it off Teeds. losing money is NOT one of my hobbies.

 

[DaGaffer]

A side issue, but the hotel shouldn't have charged your card in the first place. Was it in the UK or abroad? I have a sneaking suspicion the hotel ripped you off...

 

[Lazarus]

A side issue, but the hotel shouldn't have charged your card in the first place. Was it in the UK or abroad? I have a sneaking suspicion the hotel ripped you off...

nope - it was part of the "deal" on booking the room (advanced payment)

i have the receipt from the refund which shows the payment being made back into my account.

and the hotel was in the UK

 

[TdC]

I think you need to be 100% full blooded scottish to pull it off Teeds. losing money is NOT one of my hobbies.

I am polluted!!1