Couple fuming after they arrive in New York to find they have just £20 spending money
18.01.2022 - 18:37
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A furious couple were left with just $28 spending money in New York after arriving in the Big Apple to find their pre-booked hotel 'hadn't been paid'.
Michael Hulme had booked the £1,168 package through Hays Travel for the four-day break to The Gallivant Times Square hotel as a surprise getaway for his partner, Kerry Barlow.
But the 59-year-old was shocked when he embarked on the once-in-a-life-time trip and staff at the hotel told him his room had not been paid for.
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The $800 bill was then taken from Michael's bank account after he used his card to pay a $100 security deposit. It left him with just $28 (£20) on his card to spend on sightseeing.
The grandad-of-five says that after contacting Hays Travel, he was told he would receive a refund within 28 days.
But it meant he couldn't afford to pay for attractions - such as Top of The Rock - and was forced to ask family to lend him some cash.
Michael, a security guard, said the trip was a surprise for Kerry who had always wanted to visit the city.
He paid for the package holiday in monthly instalments and it was 'all paid up' by March 2021, reports Stoke on Trent Live.
Michael, from Stoke-on-Trent, added: "When we got up the next day and went to do a bit of shopping my card kept getting declined and I couldn't understand why.
"When we got back to the hotel and checked the banking app it said the hotel had taken $800 from us.
"I went to the reception and they said they had taken the money to pay for the room. They said not to worry and that they would reimburse the money when the travel agent had paid.
"I got in touch with Hays Travel and they said by the looks of it, the holiday had been cancelled and re-booked. But as far as I was concerned it had been paid