April 2023, stayed one night at La Quinta by Wyndham at 2620 North 26th Avenue, Hollywood, FL 33020. Checked out, boarded HAL’s flagship m/s Rotterdam. Cruised to New York City before departing for Europe. At NYC learned La Quinta added a $250 dollar charge. Filed a dispute. HAL/BarclayUS said they would investigate. We are non-smokers, left hotel room in presentable fashion. My naval career was as a public health professional, which included advocating against tobacco use. Was later advised HAL/BarclayUS would do nothing. The $250 dollar charge remained. No further explanation offered. Paid the disputed fee. Vowed never to stay at another Florida La Quinta. Strike One for HAL/BarclayUS!
Over the years, tens of thousands of dollars have been spent using HAL/BarclayUS VISA. Last October, booked the Australia cruise (Jan 2024). Called HAL/BarclayUS, exchanged 25,000 points for five (5) beverage cards, each card valued at $50 dollars. After boarding m/s Volendam at San Diego, went to Guest Services with HAL/BarclayUS email and a confirmation number for five (5) beverage cards. Guest Services said they could not issue beverage cards. Few days past, met with the beverage manager, an employee we have known for years. He took my grievance, consulted with his seniors at Seattle. But he too was powerless to render beverage cards. Felt bad for him since his history has always been, ‘satisfy the customer.’ Strike Two!
While filling in the online pre-cruise information, discovered the VISA card would expire prior to the end of our cruise. Contacted HAL/BarclayUS. Was told new cards will arrive prior to our departure, which did not happen.
HAL/BarclayUS VISA cards expired: February 29, 2024. So, we used a different VISA card. Upon returning to Texas (March 8, 2024) discovered in the accumulated mail the new HAL/BarclayUS VISA cards and elected not to activate these new HAL/BarclayUS VISA cards.
To my surprise MagicJack (a computer-based telephone service) submitted a bill to HAL/BarclayUS dated: March 1, 2024 ($49.77) claimed an Auto-Pay authorized debit. Have not used MagicJack in six, seven years. Never initiated Auto-Pay. HAL/BarclayUS should have declined MagicJack’s claim since the VISA card had expired. Again, new VISA cards were never activated. HAL/BarclayUS applied (April 9, 2024) a late payment fee of $29 dollars. So, HAL/BarclayUS wants a $78.77 payment. Strike Three! You’re Out!
Repeated calls to MagicJack and HAL/BarclayUS customer services trying to resolve an illegal billing were routed to the Philippines. Seems HAL/BarclayUS and MagicJack have call centers in the PI. Operators were polite but trained to delay inquiries. One stated decision to offer refunds are made by their seniors. Seniors were unavailable. MagicJack finally did send an email indicating they withdrew the $49.77 bill. HAL/BarclayUS has acknowledged MagicJack’s $49.77 reversal but feels entitled to a $29.00 late fee. We owe HAL/BarclayUS and MagicJack nothing. We maintain FICO scores near or in excess of 800. We are done with HAL/BarclayUS Visa. Maybe, you should be too? - Capt. Robert W.
