Microtel Inn Of Kingsland, Georgia Microtel Inns does not honor advertised rates, then, adds to bill long after checkout. Kingsland Georgia

On 12/26/2008, my wife and I stayed at the Microtel Inn after being told by the desk clerk that they would honor an ad in the local tourist magazine for a $45 per night room rate.

The television in the room worked, the fridge in the room made funny noises all night long, the plumbing noises from neighboring rooms were numerous and randomly spaced during our night's stay there. One of the bed sheets appeared stained, so, we did not use that bed.

Next morning, we had the complementary breakfast (at least that is what was advertised in the tourist guide) paid the bill with a credit card and left. We did not get an itemized bill for the room (we should have asked for one). We assumed that Microtel would honor the offer which they printed in the tourist guide.

When I got my credit card bill, I noticed a charge of $61.60 from Microtel, which was posted on 12/29/2008. I had expected a charge of $45.00 plus state sales tax (which would have been a total of approximately $48.15) to appear on my credit card bill.

So, I called Microtel Inns and complained that there was an additional charge which I had not authorized and was not aware of when I was staying there. They were not very customer service oriented and did not offer to remove the additional charge.

They appeared to have the attitude "well, if you don't like our customer service, then, stay in someone elses' motel" and I really did not appreciate that attitude. I also asked for an itemized bill for my records, which I have still not received.

Then, I got my annual credit card year end statement and found that they had added another $11.20 to the bill and posted those charges on 01/01/2009. We were not even at their motel on 01/01/2009.

I will be contacting them about the additional $11.20 mystery charge to my bill as well as refunding the unadvertised room rate charge difference to my credit card account for my stay at their motel on 12/26/2008. If I hear nothing from them regarding my requests for customer service, I will send them, in writing, a demand for refund of excessive and unauthorized charges.

If that does not get a response, I guess I will just have to file a complaint with the State of Georgia and local authorities regarding this issue. I hate to call it fraud at this point, but, it is beginning to look that way.

Winford
Jacksonville, Florida
U.S.A.