Travel woes *Update

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 01/20/2024 - 1:31pm

There are many companies you can use for discount hotel and vacations homes booking. Several have failed me or failed friends. The one I have always had wonderful experiences with is Expedia, and their subsidiary, Vrbo.
Vacation homes through Vrbo typically partner with a local agency. As an example, a Hill Country Vrbo booking puts us in contact with a local agency in Fredericksburg called Gasthaus. We deal directly with them if we have any questions or concerns.
Well, I had booked a cabin in Illinois near a state park. Confirmation and down payment confirmed. This morning, the local agency contacted me to provide my cell number and signature for electronic contracts and agreements. Fine. I even provided my date of birth, even if I questioned what difference that makes. I suppose they wanted to know I am an adult, as teenagers are not allowed to book stays. Fine.
But then, I received a second email that said I must provide more information to be screened upon my arrival in order for me to receive the code to unlock the door. They wanted a picture of my photo id. Passport was preferred. My country of origin was required. Marital status. Various details of my location, work, credit cards, etc...
I cancelled the booking immediately. I can't treat a trip in the US with the same intensity and background search as if I were applying for a visa to China or Russia.
This causes me to wonder if there is a rise in concern for possible terrorists. It was strange, given that any damage I might cause to the property would be automatically billed and paid through my credit card per contract agreement.
Has anyone else had a similar experience such as this? Is this some surveillance scheme?
I have stayed in Super 8s and La Quintas before, and will do it again, and the most precious rental cabin EVAH can stay empty.

Edit: I got a response from the company that they, "like Russia and China, we want to know who is staying on our properties".
Apparently, this has been their policy for some years, so it doesn't seem to be triggered by the current immigration crisis.
According to the agent, of 600, more or less, customers each year, 2-3 will refuse to give their personal information. They are glad we choose to cancel. We are clearly not the sheeple with whom they want to do business.
Bon voyage, people!

Tags:

privacy issues travel

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Comments

Submitted by QMS on Sat, 01/20/2024 - 5:34pm

Don't get out much anymore

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so couldn't say. Overall, the feel in this land is rising paranoia and distrust.
If there is some subtle net being lowered on us, it is best to be cautious.
Gut instincts are valuable tools. A sharp mind and quick reflexes help, but
lacking those, luck helps.

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 01/20/2024 - 5:58pm

I just didn't know how to take the

@QMS demands required of me to simply stay in a damn cabin I had already paid for, lock, stock, and barrel, via credit card. It was the demand for more vital statistics, very personal data, included as a requirement to use and enjoy, without prior notice, as they held my money in their account, for me to gain entry into the cabin.
I have professional experience with clients running from arrest warrants that can't use credit cards, and can't use cash, to stay anywhere. They are avoiding being pin pointed by the law. No wonder $500 cash for a $40 per night room in a Motel 6 by a walk in customer is refused. That makes sense.
This is something I have never experienced, and I wonder what happened to introduce this policy, and what are they preventing, since financial loss, such as no show and property damage is guaranteed to be paid. It is just not anything about property being protected. It is something else.
What?

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Submitted by soryang on Sat, 01/20/2024 - 7:53pm

I wanted to make an appointment

...with a medical provider. It was insurance based and I was booking an appointment at their request. So these AHs wanted everything in the way of personal data to book the appointment and I mean everything. I pointed out to them that its obvious nothing I say on my phone is not monitored. I can tell that from the ads and pop ups on my phone or laptop after I talk on my phone, every word is being logged somewhere. When I expressed my concern for the privacy of my personal information, they could shiv a git less. This is indicative of massive ignorance among other things. If they think I'm an imposter, or someone who is impersonating myself, they can check my identification when I show up. This country is so AFU it isn't funny.

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語必忠信行必正直

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 01/20/2024 - 9:40pm

It seems any doctor

@soryang can get to a portal and get every medical info from another drs' office about me that I can!
That situation is very similar to what I experienced this morning. They have what they need to get paid, so what is their imperative to get more info? With whom do they share my info? And yours?
I cannot say how irritated I get to stand at a drs.' office check in window, filled with people sitting around, waiting to called in to see the dr., and be asked my birth date.It wasn't this way even a few years ago. Now we should expect it and accept it as jut the way it is?

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Submitted by snoopydawg on Sat, 01/20/2024 - 9:58pm

Birth dates aren’t the issue

@on the cusp

It’s every Tom Dick and Harry asking for our social security numbers. They were never meant to be used for identification and yet everyone seems to want them. That’s the hill we should have died on.

Did you tell the company why you canceled? If they don’t know then they ain’t gonna change.

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Voting is like driving with a toy steering wheel.

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 01/20/2024 - 10:14pm

I did send Vrbo

@snoopydawg a message, let them know I feel this is a problem, and a deal breaker for any of their listed rentals properties to obtain this info.
I ain't playin'.

—

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 01/20/2024 - 10:57pm

I do not give out my SS#

@snoopydawg beyond my bank and credit cards. Of course, passport stuff requires it, but no private or corporate entity will get it from me.
The gall of the b'day request is everyone in the waiting room can hear it, unless I take care to whisper. Besides, after I have seen the dr, or ophthalmologist, they already have it. I just do not get it. There are better ways for me to identify myself, surely.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Submitted by TheOtherMaven on Sun, 01/21/2024 - 1:16am