BootsnAll Travel Community

Recently came back on a trip which reminded me not to choose the wrong agency to book travels or hotels from.

Me and my friends went on a roadtrip to some of Malaysia's major cities and we used this web agency called Asia Web Direct. Initially we thought that it was pretty reliable since much of the city's hotel used them but we found out otherwise.

The day we booked the hotel thru web it allowed a number of four (4) to be allocated to a Standard Room priced at $210 Ringit/night, the amount was charged to my credit card accordingly. The very next day one of their operators called to explain that the room can only accomodate three (3) and we were needed to book an extra bed which will be included in the $210 and asked if it was ok with us. Fair enough, we decided tat it's ok since it was only for a night.

As per normal, we called up the hotel before heading to that town to confirm the book in. To our horror the receptionist told us the room can only take in two (2) and even with an extra bed can only take in Three (3). She adviced us to call up the Web agency and we did so immediately. Shockingly, the rude telephone operator just kept repeating that the rooms can only accomodate up to only two (2) and there's nothing they can do or will do about it! I asked to speak to her manager which she very quickly said that was not around and I will have to call back another time. This was the most outrageous service I've ever encountered from a travel agency.

Thank God that we've managed to call the hotel and tried to make a last minute booking for a Suite so that four (4) of us can comfortably spend the night - at an additional $441 ringit forgoing our standard room since they've fully booked.

I've emailed the agency regarding this case and their manager simply regard this case as if there wasn't any seriousness ending the email with "The problems that you mentioned have been brought to the attention of our IT department. Again, we apologize for the inconvenience caused during your stay. We hope that you will give us another chance to serve you." which I believe none of us will ever give them any chance.

I would like to share this incident with all of us so we might not fall into this trap which really was a big scam. This is the web, please don't book from them http://www.asiawebdirect.com/ I hope those who suffered from similar case can post their incidents here so we too can avoid theses unorthadox merchants.

It is sorry to hear your bad experience.I can not believe www.asiawebdirect.com , after i checked the website. because they copyright is 2008, it means its service is very new and does not have enough experience.It is better to contact the admin by email before you done any reservation.

That's a pretty bad one. I had a similar experience last summer in Beijing thanks to CITS (China International Travel Service). My dad booked the hotel through them online for 5 days (2 rooms), paid up front on the credit card. We arrived to find that we had no room--CITS never sent the information to them. I was yelling over the phone at them to give us a refund or upgrade our hotel. They gave the typical Chinese business line of "bu hao yisi," which is basically, "sorry, but TS." They absolutely refused to admit that they were at fault.

Instead of getting money from my dad, they had to deal with American Express refusing to pay. I guarantee, CITS never got any money.

I'll encourage anyone planning on going to Beijing this summer to not give a dime to CITS.