Complaint Review: Courtyard by Marriott Seacaucus Meadowlands

I've complained to BBB and on TripAdvisor as well, want everyone to know of their sneaky practices. Prior to this incident I was probably one of Marriott's biggest fans but after all the BS I've gotten those days are over. I recently stayed at this hotel, being on a budget decided to use my Marriott Points to cover the entire nightly cost/full stay. 

When I checked in on Jan 8th I was asked for my credit card "for incidentals". I am quite aware of this practice, I've stayed at dozens of hotels over the years, I am a Travel Agent myself. Knowing my hotel stay was already paid, I didn't think very much of this, as I had no intentions of charging anything further to my room. In all of my dozens of hotel stays not a dime had been charged to my card until after I checked out-not a penny was even held unless I used a service, etc. 

I woke up the following morning to head out to breakfast and found my available balance was much lower than anticipated. I checked transactions and found two holds, one for $60 and one for $50 on my credit card, dated the previous day(my check in) from Marriott. I immediately went to the front desk to question this and was told by the woman at the desk that "because we have two hotels next to us that will deliver to your room if you order anything we put a hold on your card" So the reason I at first was given was just in case I might eat something there I was already being charged for it. Again, in all my hotel stays-many, many Marriott-I have never had anything held before. And no one advised me at check in this would happen.

In complaining to the Corp. Office about this I was first emailed by the hotel manager, whose answer was about the same as telling me "sorry, that's just how we do it". With that not being the right answer for me, I later heard from a Corp. Liason who insists this is common practice at all hotels(obvoulsy all except the many I personally stayed at-or any of those every person I've asked since then has stayed at), and was also told to refer to the "attachment" in her email showing me a photo that is supposedly clearly situated at the front desk. Oddly enough, there was no attachment, though.

I will miss the many wonderful Marriott hotels I used to stay at that never did anything to me or my credit card, but due to the responses I have gotten not just from the hotel in question but the liason for the entire company, I will never stay at their hotels ever again. I advise anyone traveling not to as well-but absolutely not the Secaucus, NJ Courtyard!