Seattle part 2 - Planes Trains and canceled hotel reservations

... so getting home at about 9:30 (thanks Tim for picking us up at the airport), I think ahead and start calling around to confirm reservations. I can tell it's going to be that kind of trip. We also decide to extend our stay in Seattle by an extra day. I call Orbitz and begin the conversation with Orbitz support. After a brief lesson in "Understanding the Finer Nuances of Language in Bombay", she is able to convey the concept that she can't just change the reservation, she'll have to create a new one and cancel the previous one. Oh, did I mention that since the call is going to India and back (not kidding, she really was based in Bombay) over a VOIP connection, not only was it very dim and staticy - it was also about a 1 second delay in the conversation. Makes for good times when things start getting exciting later on.

I'm not super excited about her canceling the reservation because I know there weren't a lot of extra rooms available. I share my concern and she puts me on hold to talk to the hotel. When she gets back she's very nervous and explains that...

...she accidently canceled the reservation and can't get a new one because no room are available.

Awesome! Her next comment is, "I'll refund your money, which you should have in 7-10 days and you can just get a reservation at another hotel, OK - Bye!" My years of religious searchings have come to good use as I try with all my might to keep my language and tone out of the 4-letter neighborhood. After refusing 4 times to go to another hotel, explaining that if I just lost a reservation, there is now a room available, even if she can't find it on her reservation system, I finally get her to conference in the hotel. I speak with Paula at the Larkspur Landing in Renton, WA (awesome person) and after about 20 minutes of trying to get the reservation confirmed, I stumble on a bright idea. "Paula", I say, "Can I call you directly and make the reservation?" "You bet", she replies, "Plus I'll be able to give you a better rate!"

"Send me my refund", I tell my Orbitz support rep and hung up the phone. Five seconds later, Paula calls me and we get the extra night with no problems. Plus, our total price for five nights is $70 cheaper than the total price from Orbitz for 4 nights!

I go to bed satisfied that things are OK. The Yoder Travel Curse (tm) has reared its ugly head and been beaten back into submission.

Oh, how wrong I was....