New York Attorney General Letitia James has secured refunds for consumers who had their hotel reservations at the Aloft Buffalo Airport Hotel (Aloft Buffalo Airport) abruptly canceled shortly before the total solar eclipse in Western New York.
In March, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) received complaints from several individuals claiming the hotel abruptly canceled their reservations that they made months in advance to see the total solar eclipse in the Buffalo area. The OAG issued a consumer alert at the time and was able to help reinstate some of the reservations, but additional people reported issues with the hotel. The agreement requires the Aloft Buffalo Airport Hotel to pay $9,000 in refunds to nearly a dozen consumers who had to book other accommodations at a higher rate because the hotel abruptly canceled their reservation. Attorney General James urges anyone who did not receive a refund after their hotel reservation at the Aloft Buffalo Airport Hotel was abruptly canceled for the eclipse to contact her office by filing a complaint online.
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse occurred across portions of the United States, and Buffalo was in the path of totality, drawing tens of thousands of visitors from across the state and the country. Many tourists traveling to see the total solar eclipse booked reservations at the Aloft Buffalo Airport. Several consumers booked far in advance, including some who booked over a year prior to the event.
In March 2024, the hotel began canceling reservations that were made months prior without informing consumers of the cancellation. Many travelers did not know their reservation was canceled until they checked their account. The OAG received some complaints at the time and was able to help reinstate reservations for some consumers at no cost. However, the hotel continued to cancel some reservations without properly informing consumers. In some cases, hotel staff berated consumers who were understandably upset at having their reservations canceled at the last minute.
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