Mumbai resident Prayush Jain took to Threads to express his frustration after Agoda, a popular online travel platform, cancelled his Ahmedabad hotel booking just 24 hours before check-in. Jain had booked the accommodation months ago to attend the highly anticipated Coldplay concert on Saturday but found himself stranded with no room and skyrocketing hotel prices.
"We booked the hotel in Ahmedabad via Agoda for Coldplay in November when the tickets came on the same day. Until today, 24 hours before checking in, it did not show that the booking was cancelled. I called the hotel to confirm the booking, and the hotel said they have cancelled the booking and Agoda will refund the money," Jain wrote in his post.
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Despite contacting Agoda for a resolution, Jain found their response inadequate. "They said, we would refund the amount, and we cannot do anything more than that. No accountability, nothing. Is this how you do business and that's how you partner with hotels? It is not about the refund, but you are canceling just 1 day before checking in. The hotel is asking me to pay 5 times the booking price to provide a room," he shared.
Online Outrage Over Agoda’s Actions
The incident sparked widespread criticism online, with several users urging Jain to take the matter to a consumer forum. "This is unacceptable. You should definitely file a complaint against them," one user suggested, while others recounted similar experiences with last-minute cancellations by booking platforms.
For Jain, the ordeal extended beyond financial inconvenience. "It’s not about the refund; it’s about the lack of accountability. A last-minute cancellation has left us with no options, and the current prices are outrageous," he said.
Hotel Prices Skyrocket Amid Coldplay Concert
The timing of the cancellation further exacerbated the issue, as hotel prices in Ahmedabad soared due to the concert. Modest rooms, usually priced at ₹1,000 per night, surged to ₹12,000–₹16,000 during the weekend. The two-night musical event brought an influx of fans, leading to a massive economic ripple effect across the city.
While the Coldplay concert generated excitement and business opportunities, incidents like Jain's highlight the challenges and frustrations faced by concertgoers navigating last-minute disruptions.