On Saturday, October 11, 2025, I was traveling from Las Vegas to Santa Ana with a confirmed reservation. Early that morning, at 9:38 AM, I received a voicemail from someone at the hotel (no name provided) stating that my Amex card on file was not going through and that I needed to provide a new form of payment. This surprised me, as I’ve been a cardholder since 1996 and have never had a single issue. I had also stayed for two weeks at Best Western Plus Marina Shores in Dana Point (June 18–July 2, 2025) using the same card without any problems.
For context, I am a Best Western Rewards Platinum Member. I have been loyal to this brand for years and almost always choose Best Western for both business and leisure travel.
Still, I complied and gave the caller my new card information over the phone. I also confirmed at that time that we would be a late arrival, estimating we’d check in around 10PM. I even clarified a small correction on my reservation (it should have reflected two adults, not two adults and one child), and the staff member confirmed all updates were made.
That evening, at 8:42 PM, I received another call from the front desk—this time from a different man—saying the same thing: that my card was not going through and that the hotel was sold out and prepared to give up my room. I explained that this had already been handled that morning. He said it hadn’t, so I gave him my card, and I immediately received a notification from my bank that $148.65 had been charged. Again, this was before I had even checked in. He reassured me that my card was now on file and that the note about my late arrival was visible.
We arrived just after 10:30 PM, and from the moment I approached the counter, the man working the desk (wearing glasses and AirPods in both ears) was rude, condescending, and dismissive. I handed him the same card he had charged earlier, and he claimed it was declined—yet refused to show any proof, no screen message, no printed decline slip. I asked him to try again, and he said he could only attempt two times. Knowing there was plenty of $ in my account, I offered a second card. He switched terminals but didn’t allow me to enter my PIN this time; he simply tapped the card and claimed it didn’t go through either.
Then, he informed me that because I had now “switched cards,” my deposit was no longer valid and I would lose the room unless I returned with $500 in CASH before 11PM. When I questioned why $500 was necessary for a $300 stay, he said it was for a $200 cash deposit for incidentals. While strange, I agreed. I told him it was my birthday weekend and pleaded for him not to cancel my room. I rushed to Wells Fargo, withdrew the $500, and was back within 10 minutes—just minutes before his imposed 11PM deadline.
Frankly, I believe the hotel wanted to resell my room at a higher rate, as it was fully booked and I had reserved mine at a discounted price weeks earlier. Despite my Platinum status, I was treated with zero professionalism or compassion.
When I returned with the cash and brought my daughter inside as a witness, his behavior only slightly changed—he was still not polite or accommodating, but he spoke in a less dismissive tone once he realized someone else was observing. He accepted the cash, gave me my keys, and we finally got into our room—exhausted and shaken by the experience.
The room itself was filthy and reeked of stale cigarette smoke, even though it was supposed to be a non-smoking room. We had to leave the door open to air it out. There were ants crawling on the second bed, where my daughter was supposed to sleep. We had to clean it ourselves and make the best of it since the hotel and surrounding properties were sold out.
I asked multiple times to speak with a manager but was told none were available. The man at the front desk refused to give me his name and kept both AirPods in during the entire check-in process.
I am still awaiting the $148.65 refund to my card since I ended up paying the full bill in cash.