Fiona G.
Holiday Inn Chatham
Holiday Inn Chatham. When I tried to pay my bill I put my Allied Irish Bank Debit card into the machine and selected to pay in Euros (€858) at first the transaction said it was approved but before the receptionist tore off the receipt, it changed to 'declined.' I was shocked but I was reassured that it was a problem with their new payment system and that it also happened earlier that day when someone tried to pay I'm dollars. I was then told the transaction would be cancelled and I was asked to try the card again but select to pay in Sterling, which I didn't want to do because it would be more expensive ( €888) but under duress ( I had a train to catch) I did as I was asked and paid in sterling. I then checked my bank balance and saw that both transactions had gone into my 'pending debits'which consequently put my bank balance into overdraft. I told the receptionist that the euro transaction hadnt been cancelled, she told me not to worry as when this happens, the amount bounces back into the bank after a few days. This was fairly near the start of my visit to the UK for my sister's funeral. It has left me, a 73yr old widow, now halfway through my UK trip, with almost all of my overdraft limit used up. I never usually go into overdraft. I can't spend any money, I'm going to have to borrow off a relative to help me get by. It's been 3 days since I checked out of the hotel ( yes, that does include the weekend). but it's now Monday, no sign of my refund and I have no way of buying the souvenirs that I had promised to my grandchildren. It's bad enough travelling for your sister's funeral, but putting one into an embarrassing situation with their bank and relations just exacerbates the whole dreadful experience. I'm disgusted. It's a pity because other than the checking out disaster, the rest of the staff were wonderful, kind, and friendly.

