Taxi pickup time mixup

On a birding trip to the Dominican Republic in March 2021 (Sept. ’21, pg. 14), the only problem I had was with a taxi ride that I had arranged from the airport to my hotel upon arriving in Santo Domingo.

In advance, through the Taxi Department of Booking.com (www.booking.com/taxi/index.html), I had booked the ride for $34.50 with Dominican Limousine (Calle Italia, Plaza Bavaro Shopping Center No.221 A, Punta Cana, República Dominicana; phone +1 829 956 0092, www.dominicanlimousine.com).

In May 2020 when I originally booked my 2021 trip, my flight was due to arrive at 5:15 a.m. on March 14, and on May 30 through Booking.com, I arranged the taxi pickup for 5:40 a.m.

On Oct. 25, 2020, United canceled my flight there and rebooked me on one arriving at 10:13 p.m. on March 13, 2021. I went to the Booking.com site with my transfer reservation and changed the flight number and arrival times, but when I clicked “Confirm,” the info went back to the old time and date. I tried three times to change it, then emailed Booking.com, receiving a reply on Oct. 26 confirming that the change had been made.

On March 9, 2021, United canceled and rebooked my flight again, this time to 12:55 a.m. on March 14. I again tried to change my reservation online but was unable to do so. This time I called Booking.com and was assured that the change would be made. I was emailed a confirmation with the new taxi-pickup time.

My flight arrived early at the airport near Santo Domingo, and I was at the curb at around 1 a.m., when I said I’d be there, but no ride ever showed up. I tried contacting Dominican Limousine, but, due to the late hour, there was no answer.

Around 1:30 a.m., I called Booking.com’s 24/7 emergency number in London. The person who answered was very nice, but he wasn’t able to reach the taxi company either. He told me to just take a regular cab to the hotel and they would cover the additional cost. My cab ride cost $40.

After I applied for reimbursement, on May 13 Booking.com refunded the $34.50 for the taxi that never showed up, but, since I hadn’t gotten a receipt for my replacement ride, the extra $5.50 was on me.

MARIAN HERZ
Boise, ID

ITN emailed a copy of the above letter to Dominican Limousine (info@dominicanlimousine.com) in July but received no response.