On October 8, two weeks after I filed the complaint from BBB, I got a response from Expedia through BBB, the essence of which was, sorry for the trouble, please be patient, it's not our fault, etc. I was particularly irritated by Expedia's statement: "If the card has not been received within the next two weeks then we may visit other options for this customer but we must have proof that the customer has not received the promotional item at that time."
BBB asked whether I was satisfied with their response and wanted to close the case (Seriously?) I said "No," because Expedia hadn't actually done anything. I think the case should be closed when they do what they had promised.
On October 18, I got an email from Expedia saying that the card was on its way!
Perhaps it's a good idea that I didn't hold my breath, because as of yesterday, November 8, the card hasn't arrived.
On November 1 I checked the status of the case and saw I had gotten a response (tagged "FINAL RESPONSE FROM BUSINESS") to my rejecting their earlier response (from October 8). It said they were sorry that I declined their earlier response, and they said the gift card was "resubmitted" on October 17. And because they're sorry for the inconvenience, they were giving me a $50 coupon to be used for future travel booked through Expedia. All I'd have to do is create an account with them (I used a guest account for the July trip), then call one of their reps with my case number to apply the coupon to my account.
Right.
BBB asked whether I was satisfied, and I replied "No," saying that all I want is the gift card, the coupon is worthless, and considering all the grief this has been ("your trip doesn't qualify," "you didn't click the [non-existent] link," "we're closed," on hold until disconnected, etc) I just would rather not do business with them at all. There are plenty of other ways to book travel.
The moment the card arrives, I'd be happy to consider the case resolved.
Imagine my surprise when I later log in to BBB to view the case, and find its status is "Closed."
11/01/2011 JAF BBB BBB judged complaint addressed
11/01/2011 Otto BBB Inform Consumer - Case Closed AJR
11/01/2011 Otto BBB Inform Business - Case Closed AJR
11/01/2011 Otto BBB Case Closed AJR
So I sent BBB a note asking "what gives?" I would have expected that the case would stay open until the case was actually resolved ie, that Expedia had done what they said they would do). BBB replied saying that they don't just hold cases open, but they said I could open another case if the card doesn't come. Thanks, BBB.
So after a month or so of trying to go the BBB route, BBB has not been a whole lot of help resolving the issue, and the card hasn't arrived.
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