Karl
Clovis,#2Consumer Suggestion
Fri, August 07, 2009
All hotels and motels charge more than the room rate on cards just to cover themselves in the event of stolen items or damage. The additional amount is deducted after the person checks out and there is no damage however it takes time for the amount to come off. If you have a debit card and keep an account balance that is close to the amount of the advertised room rent then you will be overdrawn or declined. It is wiser to have a credit card that you use specifically for hotel rooms, rental cars, and flights and not use a debit card. Some of the Fairfields that I've used actually have a notice on the check in desk that explains this and says that use of a debit card is not wise.
Ronnie
Raceland,#3UPDATE Employee
Sat, April 18, 2009
Sorry but it's just too funny! I work for a major Hotel Chain not the chain in question. But you were put into a room without a t.v. Thats the prime example of why we hold the secerity deposit on credit cards and/or debit cards. More than likely the last person took the t.v. (LOL) The money is not taken from your account, after departure we release the hold. Credit cards are released instantly. But the debit cards are released by YOUR bank 24-72 hours. Its not the Hotel that is holding your funds, its your bank. You can be a VIP guest and Hotel will still preautorized your card, and if you pay cash. That is a MUST to preauthorize cards. Credit or Debit cards either way!
Ronnie
Raceland,#4UPDATE Employee
Sat, April 18, 2009
Sorry but it's just too funny! I work for a major Hotel Chain not the chain in question. But you were put into a room without a t.v. Thats the prime example of why we hold the secerity deposit on credit cards and/or debit cards. More than likely the last person took the t.v. (LOL) The money is not taken from your account, after departure we release the hold. Credit cards are released instantly. But the debit cards are released by YOUR bank 24-72 hours. Its not the Hotel that is holding your funds, its your bank. You can be a VIP guest and Hotel will still preautorized your card, and if you pay cash. That is a MUST to preauthorize cards. Credit or Debit cards either way!
Ronnie
Raceland,#5UPDATE Employee
Sat, April 18, 2009
Sorry but it's just too funny! I work for a major Hotel Chain not the chain in question. But you were put into a room without a t.v. Thats the prime example of why we hold the secerity deposit on credit cards and/or debit cards. More than likely the last person took the t.v. (LOL) The money is not taken from your account, after departure we release the hold. Credit cards are released instantly. But the debit cards are released by YOUR bank 24-72 hours. Its not the Hotel that is holding your funds, its your bank. You can be a VIP guest and Hotel will still preautorized your card, and if you pay cash. That is a MUST to preauthorize cards. Credit or Debit cards either way!
Ronnie
Raceland,#6UPDATE Employee
Sat, April 18, 2009
Sorry but it's just too funny! I work for a major Hotel Chain not the chain in question. But you were put into a room without a t.v. Thats the prime example of why we hold the secerity deposit on credit cards and/or debit cards. More than likely the last person took the t.v. (LOL) The money is not taken from your account, after departure we release the hold. Credit cards are released instantly. But the debit cards are released by YOUR bank 24-72 hours. Its not the Hotel that is holding your funds, its your bank. You can be a VIP guest and Hotel will still preautorized your card, and if you pay cash. That is a MUST to preauthorize cards. Credit or Debit cards either way!
Devilsadvocate4education*just My Opinions*
Las Vegas,#7Consumer Comment
Wed, April 15, 2009
But I do stay at them. It IS standard practice. There is always an additional amount added to cover any additional expenses aside from the actual room and taxes (movies or damages or whatever) and anything that isn't used is returned to the card later. It makes sense for them to do that if you think about it. Didn't you sign anything when you checked in? It's usually on there.
Michelle
PORTSMOUTH,#8UPDATE Employee
Wed, April 15, 2009
I currently work for Marriott, although not the one reported here. Whether it is Marriott, Holiday Inn, Best Western etc. ANY hotel is going to authorize your credit OR debit card for an additional amount above and beyond the room and tax price. This is a pending charge for incidentals. It protects the hotel from the miscreants that have checked into a room, given a debit card with the exact amount due on it, trash the room and sneak out the side door in the morning, leaving the hotel little recourse for resitution. I understand that if you haven't travelled a lot that you perhaps would not know this, however, it appears that you were warned relatively quickly since they called you in the room right after check in. Bottom line, this is a common procedure practiced at every hotel regardless of brand.
Misanthropy
Olathe,#9Consumer Suggestion
Fri, September 12, 2008
Her statements are absolutely true and make perfect sense. No hotel I've worked at will allow one to pay cash without preauth for security. This is usually told to you on the registration card and generally is posted at the check in counter. If you walk out with the TV, someone needs to be held accountable. Get mad all you want, every area hotel Ive worked at does the exact same thing. Most people are aware that this is how it works in my experience.
D
Naples,#10Consumer Comment
Thu, October 20, 2005
Your rebuttal here says that you "used" to work in hotels, but your other rebuttal about "Ampco Valet Parking", dated this same day, says that you "Do work for Marriott", Clearification please. Anyway, if you re-read Carri's report, in the second paragraph, she says that Marriott was trying to charge her DEBIT CARD, NOT Credit card. Which meens that when a business does this the customer does NOT have access to those funds till the said business does that charge, which will meen that the money is gone, OR removes the hold, which could be a couple of days. So lets say that if Carri had $500.00 to spend on her shopping spree with her daughter, and the motel is trying to hold $250.00 of it that can put a serious damper on any enjoyment that was going to be had in Kansas City. Good luck in the future Carri. And one other thing Lindsey, where is BEACH, Florida?
Lindsey
Beach,#11Consumer Comment
Thu, October 20, 2005
I have worked for many hotels in my time, and it is obvious you haven't. It is perfectly normal for any hotel to take authorization on your credit card... YES EVEN WHEN YOU PAY CASH! When you pay cash is actually the most important time to make sure you have authorization on a credit card for security on the room. Even though you are an honest person and may not destroy the room, bad people ruin it for everyone. I think it is definitely a personal problem that you didn't get to relax on your shopping trip. You shouldn't let small problems such as a $150 hold on your credit card ruin a trip with your daughter... I'm sure she is much more valuable. As for the tv not being in the room, well yes, that's definitely uncalled for.