TM

VACATION CREDIT CARD DISPUTES

PLEASE NOTE: You do not have these protections when using a "Debit or ATM" card.
Contact your bank for specific policies pertaining to "Debit or ATM" card transactions.

With the world at our fingertips, the average VOYGRQuest traveller may experience a charge on their credit card that they didn't authorize. A hotel reservation that was cancelled but debited to the card, for example. Here are some great tips from the banking industry on how to handle these issues.

The banking industry calls these issues "billing disputes" which can be "an unfamiliar charge or discrepancy on your credit card statement" or "a duplicate charge for a single item on your credit card statement." A billing dispute arises when a merchant charges a cardholder for a requested product or service, even when the cardholder cancelled the order or reservation. There are certain protections that you can take before and during your vacation to reduce the liklihood of a travel-related dispute, or to help you quickly resolve a dispute once the vaction is over.

If you have arranged your travel using hotels, car rental agencies, airlines, time shares, or other entertainment vendors, be certain that you read any contracts or agreements thoroughly. Pay particular attention to that vendor's cancellation policy.
If you must cancel a reservation, make certain that you contact the vendor prior to the cancellation deadline.
Ask for a cancellation confirmation number, write it down, and keep it with your credit card records. If the vendor does not provide you with a confirmation number, ask for the full name of the person processing your cancellation include the date and time of your call.
Keep all receipts, rental agreements, and other paperwork from your vacation. In many cases, it may take sixty to ninety days for a debit to show up on your credit card statement.

Once you return home, take a careful look at your credit card statement over the next several months. If you discover an error or an unfamiliar charge, here is what you should do:

First off, read the "Billing Rights Summary" on the back/reverse side of your monthly statement. It will explain each step of the process you should take to resolve the disputed item.
Next, contact the vendor, directly, and attempt to resolve the issue. If you are not satisfied with the results, contact your bank no later than 60 days after you have received the credit card statement.
Under the law to preserve your rights, send a letter to your bank with:

Your name and credit card account number

Your signature

The dollar amount of the discrepancy

The date and description of the transaction questioned

An explanation of the error and any steps you have taken to resolve the issue

A copy of the sales draft, if possible

A cancellation number if the reservation was for goods or services

Airfare Discount Airline Phones Be Prepared-Food Be Prepared-BioChemical Be Prepared-Family Emergency Be Prepared-Vaccines Calif Camps Car Rentals
Vacation Checklist Complaints Cruise Discounts E-Fares Exchange Rates Green Flash Hotel Discounts Passport/Visa Info Medical Evacuation
Medical/Trip Cancellation Ins Search for Lo Fares Shots-Vaccinations Travel Advisory Travel Healthy Tourist? Don't Look It! Upstart Airlines