Dear Editor,
I wish to share my experience as to the financial entrapment that may await anyone who desires to travel to Canada from now until the Canadian federal government revise the current travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The current restrictions require all departing passengers, among other requirements, proof of a confirmed reservation for a compulsory 3-night hotel stopover at any one of the Government Approved Accommodation (GAA) hotels. These hotels are approved as accommodation by the Government of Canada for all international passengers arriving in Canada, and have to wait in isolation the result of another PCR test taken at their port of arrival. For the province of Ontario, these hotels are located within the vicinity of the Toronto Pearson Airport. With an itinerary to travel to Canada on Caribbean Airlines on June 11, 2021, I confirmed a reservation with a Toronto hotel for 3 nights (June 11-14) on May 19 for a “total for stay” as per the hotel’s confirmation reservation a cost of $376 CAD. Once you have checked into a hotel, the cost is non-refundable; irrespective of the length of stay for the 3-night booking.
On arrival in Canada, a compulsory PCR test is taken and a PCR self-testing kit is provided that is to be used on the 8th day of arrival, which is during a 14-day compulsory home quarantine. After the test at the airport is taken, you are then directed to travel to your respective hotel, using the hotel’s shuttle service. I arrived at about 9.00 am at the hotel, and was shockingly advised by the Front Desk Attendant that the cost of my 3-night stay will now be $993 CAD, an increase of $617 CAD. When questioned on the reason for this significant change in rate, the attendant stated that it was because my purpose of stay is for isolation and the current rate will be applied, and not the rate at the time of confirmed reservation. Given the federal requirement for compulsory isolation, I had no other option than to use the hotel. Bear in mind that this hotel was listed as GAA for the purpose of isolating passengers awaiting the result of their PCR tests, and it was for this sole purpose that I booked the hotel on May 19, when it confirmed my 3 night reservation for a “total for stay” at $376. It reneged on this cost.
I received my negative PCR result on the very evening of the day of arrival (June 11) via email, and checked out the following day (June12); leaving behind a total of $662 CAD, the cost of the remaining 2 night stay, which is non-refundable. Editor, the financial entrapment is not the non-refundable part, but with no prior notice and the reneging of its confirmed charge, the significant change in charges on arrival at the hotel, where you are left with no other option than to use it. It was an open act of fleecing.
Sincerely,
Name and Address Provided
