Below is a “cut-and-paste” from an e-mail I received TODAY from Orbitz  (June 30, 2008), as reward for taking the time to asnwer a hotel survey for a stay booked through Orbitz.   It is a $25 hotel discount that I MUST use by, GUESS WHAT, June 30, 2008!!! Jeez, Orbitz gives me ZERO notice on the deal.  PLUS, the coupon is good only for the period of time for “2 or more nights for travel between 6/30/2008, and June 30, 2008.”   HOW do I use 2 hotel nights for the VERY SAME DAY?  Is there some “Orbitzian Calendar” which has replaced the Julian Calendar and we can two days into one?     The Orbitz customer care e-mail utility was down (after multiple attempts to send) so I called the toll-free number.  The customer care rep basically said that the T&C’s (copied below) were valid and that I needed to book TODAY!  I very carefully and slowly explained that 1.) sending a “reward” coupon one day and expecting it to be used the vary same day is de facto unreasonable and, 2.) requiring that the booking be for a minimum of 2 nights between 6/30/08 and 6/30/08 is impossible and idiotic.  The Orbitz customer care rep was insistent that the terms were valid and that I needed to book today.  Well, I knew I was dealing with someone who was a few fries short of a Happy Meal so I asked to speak with his supervisor.  The supervisor was a little better but still had a deficit in the logic department.  He says he will re-issue a $25 coupon but I wonder if I must book on June 31st, instead of July 1st.   I’ll be very interested in hearing Orbitz explain this one. It looks like an illusory offer to me.

see e-mail text below.

“Thanks for being an Orbitz customer! $25 PROMOTION CODE TERMS AND CONDITIONS Book a qualifying hotel — indicated by a coupon icon — between 6/30/2008 and June 30, 2008, for 2 or more nights for travel between 6/30/2008, and June 30, 2008, via Orbitz (”Qualifying Purchase”) and instantly receive $25 off your purchase on Orbitz through the use of your unique promotion code found in your email (”Instant Discount”). Only Qualifying Purchases made through June 30, 2008, by 11:59 p.m. CT (”Promotional Period”) shall qualify for the Instant Discount. Only one Instant Discount allowed per hotel room. Instant Discount may not be used toward the purchase of a vacation package. Instant Discounts are not redeemable for cash for any reason. Once Instant Discount has been redeemed, it may not be returned or refunded for any reason. Any attempt at fraud will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted. Orbitz reserves the right to change or limit the promotion in its sole discretion. In the event of any violation of these terms and conditions, Orbitz reserves the right to not honor the Instant Discount, cancel your reservation without refund, and pursue other remedies. Your promotion code may only be used once.”