Hotels.com Charged Me Without Showing the Card Screen

I made a hotel reservation via Hotels.com, intending to cancel if the installment payment option wasn't available. Before I even had the chance to select a credit card or check the payment details, the entire amount was charged in one go without any prior notice. I canceled my reservation right away, but even after that, I still haven't received my refund. Reaching customer service has been a real challenge for me. It feels like no one is available to answer, and I can't find a straightforward way to connect with someone who can provide assistance. I feel utterly abandoned and isolated. I was surprised by how unhelpful and unresponsive the process turned out to be. This experience has been really disappointing, and I wish I hadn't relied on Hotels.com.