How not to be a victim of overbooking

I read “Despite Reservations, Sometimes Travelers Aren’t Given a Room” [Travel Insider, Sept. 28] with great surprise and distress. I have been a travel agent for more than 30 years and cannot imagine not finding other accommodations for a client in such a situation. Apologies and refunding the money are not sufficient.

Both the travel agent and the tour operator should have worked with the hotel to find comparable (or better) accommodations.

Rhoda Medvene

Corniche Travel

West Hollywood

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Why not call the hotel’s reservation desk directly to confirm the reservation and selection of room type and obtain the reservation number? No matter how I book, whether through a third party or online, I have yet to be disappointed by adopting this extra measure.

It is similarly important to confirm car rentals and, on flights, seating and meal choices.

Getting some peace of mind is certainly worth the extra effort when one considers the high expectations built into a vacation trip.

Norm Avrech

Pacific Palisades

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I ask for a copy of the hotel’s confirmation letter, as well as a copy of its final confirmation accepting the deposit money and dates of the reservation. When the manager begins to tell me they have no such confirmation nor deposit, I produce the copies of the confirmations on their stationery. They can’t dispute a letter written on their letterhead or the manager’s signature.

Kay Nakamura

Los Angeles