When Carol Pulido tried to check in to the Puerto De Luna Hotel in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, a few months ago, she got some bad news.
MEXICO
Chris and Shelley Harper had hoped for a week of R&R with their two young children at the Riu Tequila, an all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. But instead, Shelley ended up in the emergency room with apparent food poisoning.
Something went wrong on Karen Huntoon’s trip from Reno, Nev., to Oaxaca, Mexico. Very wrong.
The hotel Valerie Acosta booked through Hotwire.com isn’t what she expected. The site claims it’s a four-star resort, but the reviews say otherwise. How about a refund?
Gordon Houston is offered a $9.80-a-day rate for a rental car in Mexico. But an agent refuses to rent the car to him without insurance, which more than doubles the price of the vehicle. Now neither his agent, nor the rental company, will refund the difference. Is he stuck with the bill?
Lisa O’Brien’s parents have two sets of tickets for their 50th anniversary vacation — the result of a simple misunderstanding between their daughter and Expedia. Their online agency won’t refund one of the reservations. Are they stuck with a pair of useless tickets?
Brian Perez-Daple rents a car in Mexico through Hotwire. But his car rental company insists he needs to buy extra insurance, which he doesn’t. Is there any way to get his money back?
Colleen Farmer’s flight to Mexico is rescheduled multiple times before she leaves on her vacation, but when she finally shows up at the airport, her airline demands an additional $948 for two one-way tickets. Now her online travel agency is balking at a refund for the second ticket. What can she do?
Ah, the ol’ Mexican car rental scam.
Gordon Houston prepaid $97 for a rental car in Cancun through Hotwire — a rate that was supposed to include all required fees. But then his car rental company, Europcar, added a mandatory insurance charge to his bill, leaving him with a $268 bill. Who pays? In the short term, Houston shelled out the extra [...]
Carla Hill thought she’d found an unbelievable rate at the El Dorado Royale & Spa in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, through RCI: one week for $189.
Carla Baker’s 85-year-old father was seriously injured while vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Good thing he’d bought an insurance policy through Access America, which covered his hospitalization and medical evacuation. Actually, not so good.
Philip Getson thought he’d have to pay $270 for his Hertz rental in Cancun. He though wrong. His final bill came to a shocking $1,227.
When it comes to online booking horror stories, Lisa O’Brien deserves an award. The online agency and airline that tried to help her does not.
One of the most common swine flu-related questions I’ve been getting relates to rescheduled cruises. Many cruise lines are diverted their ships to avoid Mexican ports. What if you don’t want to go? Should you be able to get a refund?
Elliott is consumer advocate 
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