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AIBU?

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Original poster

Normal for (naice) hotel to take money out account as deposit?!

30 replies

leafyygreens · 26/10/2019 20:48

Aibu to think this would annoy a lot of people? Is it normal practise?

Stayed at a branch of the Hilton last year for work, gave them my company ‘cash passport’ when they asked for a card on file in case of damage. They put a hold of 75 dollars into it, which basically rendered the card useless as I’d only asked work to put $80 on it for expenses (short trip) meaning I had to use my personal card for food etc.

This year, staying at another branch of Hilton, made sure to give them a credit card to put the hold on. Guy behind the desk assured me again it’s just for damages and no money would be taken out my account.
However, $75 dollars has actually been taken out my account (from the time I checked in), with no notification if or when it’ll be returned?! Are people generally just fine with this happening?

When away for holidays I tend to stay in Airbnbs so not much exp of this otherwise!

OP posts:
MissMarks · 26/10/2019 20:51

Yes, pretty normal in chain hotels for them to take a credit card when you check in- not sure if it is always as much as 75 though

Original poster
leafyygreens · 26/10/2019 20:52

@missmarks yes I understand taking credit card details is necessary, but is taking money out the account standard??

OP posts:
Namechangeforthiscancershit · 26/10/2019 20:54

Yes it's a damage deposit or room service or somesuch. Annoying when you know exactly what's on there.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 26/10/2019 20:54

Online grocery deliveries can do it too- is it Asda who are always at it?

Mascarponeandwine · 26/10/2019 20:55

I use Hilton honours via the app but they’ve never even put a hold on the card, let alone taken money

MrsMaiselsMuff · 26/10/2019 20:55

The money is held, so it's not available for you to spend but unless they take the money it will go back on to your card in a few days.

WreckTangled · 26/10/2019 20:56

Yes I've has this with a few places. When a friend and I went to London we got upgraded to the penthouse and the damage deposit was £1200 Grin luckily she had that kind of money sitting in her account because I certainly don't! It's usually refunded within 48 hours of you checking out I think.

ClosedTheBlueEyes · 26/10/2019 20:56

It'll be a held payment, so the funds aren't available to you as they've been ringfenced in case they're needed for any expenses/extras/damages. If they're not needed the hold is released again, and the money shows as available in your account. Hope this makes sense!

BritWifeinUSA · 26/10/2019 20:56

It’s normal. We stayed in a hotel last month where the deposit was $300. I think it’s crazy to go on a business trip with just $80 for expenses.

I’ve never stayed in a hotel where they don’t take a deposit.

orangeteal · 26/10/2019 20:56

Yes standard in my experience, it's a hold so you can't spend the money it's not actually removed though acts the same really in regards to your access, best to use your personal card as you'll get it back anyway.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 26/10/2019 20:57

The guy is technically right that it doesn't leave your account, it's just not available to spend.

onemouseplace · 26/10/2019 20:57

Yes, I’m in a Hyatt at the moment and they’ve put €100 a night on my card - it’s not actually been taken from my account but is showing as pending so I can’t spend it.

onetimeonlyy · 26/10/2019 20:59

Yes it's normal

Expressedways · 26/10/2019 21:00

Normal for a hotel to pre-auth or hold a certain amount of money for ‘incidentals’. Work should be supplying you with a corporate credit card so that it doesn’t take a hit on your personal finances.

Original poster
leafyygreens · 26/10/2019 21:01

Thanks for all the replies, interesting to hear it’s common!
@BritWifeinUSA I completely agree it’s crazy but in my field (v outing to say exactly what) money is not splurged on business trips and it’s not uncommon for people to buy own food etc. In both cases staying at a Hilton was only because it was the most reasonable safe hotel for lone female travelling in specific areas I was going to

OP posts:
SafetyAdvice0FeedWhenAgitated · 26/10/2019 21:09

They have to block it. How else would they actually get it in case of damages if people spent the money? It must be in their t&Cs when booking

twoheaped · 26/10/2019 21:10

Best Western took the full amount from my current account for the room, even though I paid cash and told them on check-in it would be cash.
I was fuming. Had they told me that would happen, I wouldn't have paid cash.
It took them 10 days to release the hold on the money.

MrGsFancyNewVagina · 26/10/2019 21:16

I’ve had a hold put on different amounts, including £300 with Airbnb which will keep it on hold for two weeks after my hols.

Taking it out of the bank is more unusual, in my experience.

francienolan · 26/10/2019 21:19

It's normal but I agree it is SUPER ANNOYING.

SafetyAdvice0FeedWhenAgitated · 26/10/2019 21:20

If I remember correctly it was always taken off debit card, because you couldn't hold, unlike on credit cards, where they could. But I could be wrong.

ZigZagIntoTheBlue · 26/10/2019 21:21

Its called pre-authorisation, in case of damage or the room not being paid for. You can refuse and pay in cash up front but they will disable certain tv channels etc. It will get returned to the card when you have checked out

Misunderstoodagain · 26/10/2019 21:22

Used hiltons a few times. The last time they took $1500 as a damage deposit (staying in a suite)
It's put back on when you leave and all is well with the room.
Thought this was pretty standard for chain hotels but they never actually tell you they are doing this unless you ask so if your relying on the funds for spending money it can be quite devastating to your trip. Confused

ifyoulikepinacolada · 26/10/2019 21:25

Totally normal. It’s just a hold - it hasn’t left your account!

HeyNotInMyName · 26/10/2019 21:36

YANBU.

Yes it’s normal to put money in hold. Rental car companies do the same.
However, it’s not mean to come out of your account!!!
In which case it is NOT a pre autorisation. It’s taking the money and then putting it back again.....

HeyNotInMyName · 26/10/2019 21:39

How else would they actually get it in case of damages if people spent the money?
Like car rentals do. They have the autorisation to take the money but do NOT do that (as they have no way to know what the amount will be if there is any damage). They wait until the car has come back and take the money out if need be.
They could do the same. There is no need to take the money out of the account (it’s not put on hold, in that case, it wouldn’t show up) to put it back again.
Plus, think about it. How much money do they have every single day just ‘waiting just in case’, money they can earn interest on on the back of their customers...