To help me complain..

[ItsAlwaysSunnyInPhiladelphia]

Sorry, shamelessly posting for traffic.
I booked a room through Booking.com in Milton Keynes last Monday the 13th for a Saturday in June. I had heard a rumour of an up and coming gig which hadn’t been announced yet, so I took advantage of my knowledge and booked a room as I knew rooms would sell quickly and the prices would be really expensive.
Anyway, the gig was announced Monday and all rooms in Milton Keynes got booked up. I had a sneaky look on Booking.com at the hotel I had booked which was now £110 for the night. I was feeling a little smug that I had got a room for half the price.
I received a call today, the call had gone straight to voicemail so they left a message. They basically said my booking will have to be cancelled due to a technical error.
All rooms left in MK start at £200, which we just can’t afford, I really need that room as we live too far away to drive home the same night.
Technical issues aside, if this is even true, the way I see it, surely my room would not be one to get cancelled as I booked a week before the mad rush. But I suppose the way they see it is that they can give the room to someone else for double the price I paid for it.
I have an email address for the person who called me as after failing to call be back as promised, I called the hotel again to speak to her and she had gone home so I asked for an email address so I could get the ball rolling for the complaint.
Usually, I am a really laid back person and this has made me see red. I am so angry. But I don’t really know what the best way to complain is (I never do it!) and how to not take no for an answer and that I am having that room! What shall I say when I finally manage to speak to the lady who called me earlier? Shall I send an email tonight outlining my concerns and then ask for her to call me tomorrow following my email?
I haven’t paid for the room as it’s one of those where you pay at the property and get free cancellation etc- I wasn’t going to pay and it be non-refundable just incase the rumour is wasn’t true. But it’s reserved through Booking.com and I have confirmation of this.

First
Ring them or go on line and ask to book a room the same size and the same night etc - if there is a vacancy you will be able to demonstrate they are 'at it!'

I don't think there's much you can do as you've booked it through a 3rd Party site. I bet there's something in the terms and conditions stating room can be cancelled at any time etc

Can you stay somewhere outside of MK so you don’t have to drive home but aren’t paying a premium for a room?

I don’t think you’ll have much joy complaining to be honest, you can’t force someone to let you have a room, as annoying as it is that they’ve cancelled.

Have you read the T&C's? They can probably cancel for any reason.

Phone them! It's a PITA to find the number but persevere.

When an apartment tried to cancel my booking Booking.Com found me equivalent accommodation and then refunded the difference after my stay.

Refer to the Consumer Rights Act 2015 in your complaint.
Have a read through the accommodation section here: www.moneywise.co.uk/work/shopping/know-your-rights

Booking.com did the same to me last year. We had booked a room for the Tuesday evening and they called me at 20.30 on the Monday to cancel because they’d overbooked. Booking.com said they’d found me “alternate accommodation that was equal” to the one we had already booked. It wasn’t. Fortunately we found a place for cheaper and nicer than what booking.com would put us up in but not as nice as the first place. I didn’t complain because it’s just too hard to track them down and get answers from them. However, I won’t book with them again. I’ll use the search engine to find a place but then call them directly. Most places have to pay commission on any rooms booked through booking.com so prefer you booking direct through them. Although they accept that booking.com does make them more visible.

That really sucks, also majorly jealous that you're going the see the Emo God's themselves. I'd shop around at other local hotels and places, also, look at transport links to MK, as there is plenty, you may get a better deal outside the city if you're willing to travel a bit.

I live in Milton Keynes and am intrigued to know what gig this is I hope you manage to keep your room OP this must be very frustrating definitely do not let it drop!