Things I wish I knew

[sonour]

Why when you stay at a hotel, do they take reserve money on your credit card for "incidentals"?

You don't have to give your credit card up when you walk into a shop just in case you buy something.

Also, when they reserve money on your cc, when you don't spend the money they hope you do, why doesn't it return to your available balance immediately?

It's been 4 days since I left the hotel, and it still hasn't come back.

Tell them you haven't got a credit card and wish to pay in cash. Offer to leave a 'deposit' in cash. It's too much trouble or them to take cash off you and give you a receipt so they usually just wave you through. I don't think there's a rule to say you have to have a credit card to stay at a hotel.

[The Camel]

Why when you stay at a hotel, do they take reserve money on your credit card for "incidentals"?

You don't have to give your credit card up when you walk into a shop just in case you buy something.

Also, when they reserve money on your cc, when you don't spend the money they hope you do, why doesn't it return to your available balance immediately?

It's been 4 days since I left the hotel, and it still hasn't come back.

Tell them you haven't got a credit card and wish to pay in cash. Offer to leave a 'deposit' in cash. It's too much trouble or them to take cash off you and give you a receipt so they usually just wave you through. I don't think there's a rule to say you have to have a credit card to stay at a hotel.

It's more the idea they want you to pay in advance for something you might not actually buy which annoys me.

Can't think of any other product/service which requires the same thing.

[Marky147]

I always thought it was in case you smashed the room up, stole the TV etc.

[The Camel]

I always thought it was in case you smashed the room up, stole the TV etc.

It's a long time since I hired a car, do they require a refundable deposit too?

[jezza777]

When I stayed at the Rio I didnt have a credit card with me . I had to deposit $500 I think, crazy considering the room was already paid for by a poker site.

[Marky147]

I always thought it was in case you smashed the room up, stole the TV etc.

It's a long time since I hired a car, do they require a refundable deposit too?

I've always been persona non grata with car hire firms, so can't help there unfortunately.

[The Camel]

When I stayed at the Rio I didnt have a credit card with me . I had to deposit $500 I think, crazy considering the room was already paid for by a poker site.

Nothing you could eat/break/damage/steal is worth $500 in that shithole.

[Tal]

When I stayed at the Rio I didnt have a credit card with me . I had to deposit $500 I think, crazy considering the room was already paid for by a poker site.

Nothing you could eat/break/damage/steal is worth $500 in that shithole.

I think Judith Chalmers's job is safe

[Ironside]

Keith its same when you use the pay at pump petrol they take the money off you to ensure you have it available

[The Camel]

Keith its same when you use the pay at pump petrol they take the money off you to ensure you have it available

But a regular petrol station they don't.

You fill up with petrol, then go and pay for it.

That's how it should work.

I just about accept leaving enough money to cover your bill - but to reserve money on the off chance you decide to spend some in the hotel is unacceptable.

[Ironside]

Keith its same when you use the pay at pump petrol they take the money off you to ensure you have it available

But a regular petrol station they don't.

You fill up with petrol, then go and pay for it.

That's how it should work.

I just about accept leaving enough money to cover your bill - but to reserve money on the off chance you decide to spend some in the hotel is unacceptable.

pay at the pump is the only option most of the time after 8pm they take £100 off your card then take £60 for the tank of feul and give you the £100 back a week later

[kinboshi]

You sure about that Iron? I don't see that on my credit card statements.

[The Camel]

You sure about that Iron? I don't see that on my credit card statements.

I haven't used one of those night time pumps for yonks, but I seem to remember I paid in advance and it automatically switched off when the amount I had paid for had been served.

[scotty77]

Probably leads to slightly cheaper prices tho.

If they didn't have the option to hold funds, then they would just add a bit extra per room as 'insurance' for those that would otherwise hit and run for the pizza they ordered at 2am.

[Jon MW]

But hotels could still get their money back afterwards - it's not difficult to assume that in the terms of booking a hotel room there's something that says you're liable to all damage as well as everything you order.

The hotel, like any company, can always invoice you afterwards for a service. There are loads of companies where you pay afterwards, and they can legally pursue you for payment if you don't cough up - why should hotels be any different?

Over millions of hotel nights I would imagine that the people liable to actually pay from those incidentals charges - and who would try and get out of it if charged after the stay - are a pretty tiny minority.