28/09/2018 UPDATE:
Thanks to mojo86 we found out that Agoda will definitely charge extra for all "Book Now, Pay Later" bookings regardless of forex movement. It is stated clearly in their "Terms of Use"


Screenshot of Terms of Use



Not sure how many are aware and already using this "feature" of Agoda - Book Now, Pay Later.
I'm describing my recent experience which involves booking hotels in Japan and Thailand via Agoda.
Made my booking around Aug/Sept last year, picked the "Book Now, Pay Later" option, understood that it will be charged according to the latest exchange rate during date of payment.

In both cases, the payment charged via "Book Now, Pay Later" ended up 5-10% more expensive than the price quoted during time of booking even though MYR has been recovering recently. What I'm seeing is, Agoda is taking advantage of this to overcharge customers who book for hotels in different currency. Hence the problem lies in the currency exchange rate being applied to your payment. So far no issues with local/domestic hotels.

When I first encountered this, the time period between my travel date and booking date is about 2 weeks, but I was charged an additional 7%. How is it possible that the currency can fluctuate so much in 2 weeks. Made a complain to customer service and was refunded the difference immediately.
Then the same thing happened again, I was overcharged again. This time booking period was made few months earlier, and we also know that MYR has been recovering in recent weeks but I was charged an additional 6% - complain in progress If you read my later post, my first complain was ignored, which I followed up with a second long email. The team has decided to refund the price difference "as a gesture of goodwill".

All I'm saying is, if you're sure you're gonna book that hotel, you're better off paying it immediately at time of booking. Regardless of your currency strengthening or weakening, you'll always end up paying at least 5-10% more than what was quoted during time of booking.

If you end up in the same situation with me, don't hesitate to raise a complain to their CS. They can be helpful at times depending on who is handling your complains. Worse come to worst, if your booking has free cancellation, please go ahead and cancel it then re-book (assuming rooms are still available). Just don't fall for such currency exchange rate scams.

Apparently, I'm not alone in this case, see 8th and 9th comment in the thread - https://www.tripadvisor.com.my/ShowTopic-g2...ersekutuan.html

Additional info from other users - https://www.mybeautycravings.com/paying-mor...goda-pay-later/



To add on to my PSA: If you're using cashback for Agoda, somehow your hotel daily rates will be higher. Guess who's paying for your cashback?

This post has been edited by evilhomura89: Sep 28 2018, 10:07 PM

So I believed the "scammer" is the hotel and not Agoda then?

The "scammer" here is Agoda
Agoda is the one collecting and processing all the payment that is done through their website

For some reason, Agoda is "willing" to refund the difference is because they have know clearly that they're scamming their customers?



This post has been edited by evilhomura89: Feb 23 2018, 03:07 PM

Dang. I experienced this with Booking.com as well. No wonder it feels like the rate kept going up.

Now, what if I pay cash to the establishment in their currency when I check-in and not via CC? Then the rate will stay the same as quoted right?

Eg. For my hotel in Japan, the rate in yen I saw was 10,000yen per night and this is stated on Booking.com's site when I proceed to the check-out section. I chose the option of "Pay later" to pay when I check-in. So even if the MYR rate goes up it makes no difference because I'm paying 10,000yen cash to the Hotel. Then no kena scammed due to the rate difference right?

I think airBnB is better, the rate is locked with whatever you pay on that day.

This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Feb 23 2018, 03:15 PM

You are wrong.
You paid the amount you booked, regardless of price changes.

Unless you mean currency exchange rate changes.

Well that is not scam because you still paying the same amount, just that exchange rate changed.
Eg. your booking was $100 you still pay $100 except that when your booking time the conversion rate was lower or higher at that time but u will be charged according to current rate.

Furthermore that "feature" is more useful for travellers that might change schedule last minute so they have option to cancel booking without being charged.

yeah, i'm referring to the shady currency exchange rate being applied
chances are you'll always have to pay more even if our own currency is stronger against the currency quoted in the booking

i suppose nothing comes free in this world, you're indirectly paying for the "convenience" given to have the option to cancel without being charged

Does Agoda show you anytime during the process what currency exchange rate was used?

If you "Pay Later" and pay cash during check in, then you won't be subjected to the exchange rate given by Agoda's "most updated, independent partners"

Thank you for your alertness!

Yes exactly. And usually it's the fluctuation of the exchange rate. I rarely take notice but usually find that I'm paying more than my booking rate.

Prefer to resort to cash to avoid CC higher exchange rate.

im not sure what currency exchange is Agoda following, but im sure its not dodgy.
If it is, it doesnt matter you pay now or later.

Not specifically, but they will give you an estimate of what you'll be paying in both your local currency and the payment currency

Example:


In this case, booking was done last year in September. If I were to pay on that day during booking, all I have to pay is MYR 1274.30 since that's the quoted rate from their end for THB 9961.48. However, during the pay date, I was charged RM1360+ (about 6-7% higher).
Even if there's no change in currency exchange rate, it is absurd to pay an additional 6-7% for no reason.

I see. That's really sneaky then. Sept rate was around 7.98thb to 1.00myr, in mid Jan our currency strengthened to around 8.03thb to 1.00myr, so if anything you should have been charged less myr, not more.

Dodgy or not, it is almost certain that we'll be paying 5-10% extra for any "Book Now, Pay Later" bookings (even if there's no rate fluctuation or when your own currency is strengthening).
Hence, you'll always be better off paying it first if you don't need the flexibility of changing your mind later

Quick update: either way, my recent email interaction has been ignored by their team (marked as resolved) - no proper explanantion has been given, definitely no transparency here. Probably I've caught them pulling off such a "scam" and got my "first and only" refund in the price difference for my booking last year. I've attached my emails to them as a reference for those who are interested.

Are u charged under MYR or THB ?
If THB there might be incurring some fees charged by your credit card bank.

And iinm once u booked, the price doesnt change ie. if book 100THB you will be charged 100THB and not related to currency fluctuation.
If at the booking time 100THB = RM10 but on payment day 100THB = RM12 then ofcourse you will see your charges as higher due to currency rate.

Can you confirm the price you paid is the same as the price when you booked?




Could you show the price on the booking confirmation and also your credit card statement (just the agoda payment, and censor sensitive info)

This post has been edited by WaCKy-Angel: Feb 27 2018, 10:15 AM

Charged in MYR, currency exchange is being done at Agoda's end, giving them the power to apply any "exchange rate" that is favourable for them.
If not they wouldn't refund the price difference since the price they quoted in THB is still the same.

As a matter of fact, I would rather they charge the transaction in THB and let my bank handle the currency conversion.

Meanwhile, my second email (a really long email since the previous personnel decide to ignore me - case marked as resolved) for my second case has gotten their attention and they've decided to refund the price difference "as a gesture of goodwill".

This post has been edited by evilhomura89: Feb 27 2018, 12:41 PM

Dear TS.

Could you please share me the long email? As I also seeing this ridiculous exchange rate going to charge for my booking. So I would like to know how I should do complain for this.

If you are not really want to disclose this in public forum. Could you please sent me by email and remove all "privacy" and sent to me?

Please help.

shw_883@hotmail.com


Thank You.

As a starter, there's a few things that you'll need to include in your email
(1) Tell them which date you made a booking for which hotel, include the total estimated charges in both local converted currency and foreign currency

(2) Tell them you went with book now pay later option and tell them when was the date your card is being charged and how much

(3) Do your research on the exchange rate and see what's the trend like. If MYR has strengthened when compared to the date of booking and yet you're still being charged extra, by all means go ahead and argue for it. If not then just drop the case


ADDITIONAL INFO TO BE INCLUDED ONLY IF RELEVANT
My case was a little different, the 1st person who attended to me refused to deal with my complain by throwing me their typical T&C and closed the case.

The statement given by the 1st person who refuse to deal with my complains:
We understand that based on your findings of the conversion rates, you should not have been charged more after the conversion. We would like to reiterate that exchange rates vary based on payment gateways and also differ from bank to bank. Agoda’s rates come from our most updated, independent partners.

To support this, if you were to refer to our Agoda Terms Of Use, it indicates under section D that: "In case of “Book Now, Pay Later” (see Section 5), you will see an estimate of the converted amount, which will only be charged at the exchange rate of the future payment date, meaning it could be different from the estimate. Your bank may impose additional fees on the transaction, over which Agoda Companies have no control. Please note that exchange rates fluctuate daily.
After that email, they closed my case
I had to open another ticket, complained about their previous team then rebut their statement which I will summarize in point 4-6.

(4) Tell them you know how "Book Now Pay Later" is supposed to work unless Agoda is trying something fishy behind the scene.


(5) Let them know that you know your currency exchange movement and you understand that a properly updated rate should apply on the date of payment, no matter it's heading up or down. Agoda is claiming their rate is being provided by their partners so you have every right to know how are the rates being calculated especially when you're paying more even though your own currency has strengthened.

UP TILL TODAY, MY QUESTIONS REGARDING THEIR CURRENCY EXCHANGE PRACTICES REMAINED UNANSWERED

(6) Agoda claimed that there could be some additional charges imposed by the bank - which is pure BS since this payment is being charged in MYR. Even if you're using some of the bank's credit facilities, any additional charges shouldn't appear together with whatever is being charged to your card for Agoda.


(7) Last but not least, tell them you're disappointed with them in pulling such a scam


This post has been edited by evilhomura89: Apr 5 2018, 06:07 PM

Hi all sorry hijack owner thread... I have question about agoda. My question last 2. 00a.m ago got mag from cimb i have booking an hotel total was rm312.25... How iam gonna get my money back i never book an hotel... This agoda scam or bank?? Cimb officer will call me later but how this problem can be solve eh maybe out there many people been cheated like this

someone stole your CIMB CC details to book a hotel on agoda, call the bank to cancel your card asap & lodge case as stolen CC

if you don't have a CIMB CC, then it's a common scam, just ignore whoever called you. You can try to lodge police report, but most likely they won't even layan you.