Booking.com review: Currency conversion charge

I was charged the correct amount from the hotel but on booking.com I was quoted in GBP and, although the conversation rate was correct, due to being charged in BBD (something they did not tell me they would do) I was charged a currency conversion charge from my bank.

Had I have been informed of this, I would have not paid the 50% in advance as this is supposed to be fully refundable but if I were to cancel I would be left with the conversion charge and probably charged again.

I spent an entire morning on the phone to them and received very poor customer service.

After lengthy discussions about me being charged a conversation rate from my bank - when I was quoted in GBP- I was asked to send proof but I sent proof of this twice already, I can not send this in the form of a bank statement as I will not get a statement for another month and it will not state the reason for the charges as bank statements do not do this.

I have made several calls and was initially told I would be refunded once proof was received, I sent proof and was then told I would not be refunded. Furthermore, if I were to cancel the reservation I would not be refunded the bank charges as these are not included in the price.

I spent 1 hour 11 mins on the phone to one person who was trying to resolve this, I then got cut off by a manager, I did not get a call back, a customer service rep was rude to me on the next call I made and he then hung up on me.

I called yet again and am yet to find a resolution and have been on the phone for over one hour so now I have spent over 2 hours on the phone to booking.com and am left with bank charges for currency conversion which booking.com refuse to take financial responsibility for - despite the cost being advertised in GBP.

They have now offered me internet £25 and only given me £21.75

I feel I have wasted time and money on booking.com and got shockingly bad customer service- this is not the same service as what booking.com used to provide years ago, it was once a very good service which is why I used them frequently, something I am apprehensive to do again as this has left me upset and out of pocket.