So, tell me if I've just been unobservant or if something's changed in the hotel industry.
The past few times I've had to make a hotel reservation. I've given a credit card number like usual.
But, now they are charging the card for the stay before I even arrive?
It used to be that the card was their insurance, it was to hold the room.
I prefer to pay for hotel rooms in cash since I'm not wild about them being all up in my credit card, I've had a couple of bad experiences.
I've got no problem with them having it to hold the room, but I don't want the room total on the card.
They cheerily tell me that they can credit the card when I check out if I prefer to pay cash, but I don't want it (the total) on there at all.
Is this new?
It's getting on my last nerve.
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I just recently got HIT with this same realization a month ago when I booked a hotel room for a trip in June. JUNE! They charged my dang-darn debit card for the entire amount six weeks before I was even going to step into the hotel.
It is the industry standard. They run the card to make sure it is legit in case the place is trashed. They will credit your card back if you want to pay in cash. Don't have us!
It has gotten to the point where we either make a discount purchase online via Priceline or Hotwire (paying in advance but not allowing the hotel to touch our card for any kind of hold) OR using Interstate travel coupon booklets for walk-ins on road trips.
try a different hotal - or ask if they do that when you call!
We always hold the room with our card and at checkout, they ask if we want the room on that card or if we are paying another way. I've never had it happen differently. Maybe they are running some sort of check to make sure the card will go through?
I can't think when I've ever seen the charge on my bill prior to my stay. (Except Priceline of course)
I think they just made that illicit affair a little bit harder...
Noticed this dastardly practice as well and it is on my last nerve, too. Since, it's the way my husband finds out that I'm going to BlogHer before I get a chance to, you know, actually tell him. DAMNIT, Sheraton!
That is crazy. I have never heard that before.
YES, and then you have to make sure they credit the room back to you and deal with the hassle if they don't. It's a win-win for them and a LOSE for us. I hate it too!
Wow, I've never had that happen! Then again, we don't stay in hotels all that often...or wait...I don't, but my hubby does for work. We just stayed somewhere about a month ago and I didn't get actually charged until we checked out. I'd be peeved too!