What is PayPal's stance on using the platform to book a hotel?

[SolidSonicTH]

I'm unclear on what PayPal buyer protection actually covers with regards to this. The site I booked on uses a PayPal checkout system so I used that in the hopes that it would firewall me from issues (and there were definitely issues). In my head I pay PayPal, PayPal sends the funds to the booking site's PayPal account, they pay the hotel for the room. This fell apart at the last step and I was left without a room when I arrived and I'm using PayPal's dispute system to initiate a refund (since the money was originally withdrawn from my account by PayPal and appears as a transaction on my PP history) but how do I know if I'm actually going about this the right way? I don't know if PayPal considers hotel reservations as "intangible," even though the site I booked through uses PayPal Checkout. I have a confirmation of booking receipt but it's not like I can show PayPal that I didn't get to stay at the hotel I booked.

If the site I paid uses PayPal Checkout in theory PayPal should have authorized them as a marketplace that is covered under buyer protection. If not then there's serious issues with PayPal's vetting of websites that they officially allow to use PayPal Checkout as an option.

[PayPal_Bindu]

Hello @SolidSonicTH 

Thank you for writing in the PayPal Community and welcome!

I am sorry to hear about the issue with your purchase. PayPal purchase protection covers all eligible transactions and this includes physical goods that can be shipped and tracked as well as intangible and virtual items, digital goods and services. You can refer to PayPal User Agreement for more information about Purchase protection policy. 

As you've already disputed the transaction, you will have 20 days to resolve it with your seller. If you can't come to a resolution, please escalate it. When you escalate the dispute, PayPal review the case and decide if you're eligible for a refund. You can find the steps to escalate the dispute here. Please keep an eye on your emails and your Resolution Center for updates from PayPal, or requests for more information.

Hope this ifnormation helps you,

Bindu