IHG Gave Me the Wrong Room and Refused to Refund. My Credit Card Made Them.

I booked a room at an InterContinental hotel through their website. The listing said "King Bed, City View." I arrived at 3 PM. They gave me a room with two double beds and a parking lot view. The front desk said they were fully booked and could not change my room.

I asked for a discount. The manager said no. I asked to speak with the general manager. He was not available. I checked out after one night and moved to a different hotel.

I filed a complaint with IHG's customer relations team. I sent screenshots of the booking confirmation showing the room type I booked and photos of the room I actually got. I also sent my receipt from the other hotel.

IHG offered 10,000 IHG Rewards points. I said I wanted a cash refund for the night I did not stay. They said no. I filed a chargeback with my credit card for one night. The credit card approved it.

IHG then sent me a letter saying I was banned from their properties for "payment dispute." I do not care. I do not want to stay at a hotel that lies about what they are selling.

The lesson: when a hotel does not deliver the room you booked, document everything and file a chargeback for the difference. You are paying for a specific product. If you do not receive it, you do not have to pay for it.