Hotel have taken all my spending money ...ridiculous?

[whatshardknock]

I'll currently at a hotel in London (Piccadilly circus )
I'm here for 4 nights (checked in yesterday)
I'm meeting friends who I haven't seen in years.
It's been a bit of a treat it's a lovely hotel and I've spent £1000 on the hotel (which I never do )As a treat after a shit year.
I booked on booking.com
I checked my bank the £1000 has came out and also a pending £800
I spoke to downstairs and the £800 will be refunded after I leave.
That's pretty much all my spending money.
Aibu to think booking.com should have said and also £800 deposit for a 4 night stay is mental surely.

@PopsicleHustler the Ritz would be more than twice what the OP is paying.

Also, when they release the hold the money doesn’t credit straight back.

There should be the customer services number for Halifax on the back of your debit card. Call them and ask or borrow the money from your friends.

@Sparkletastic

This sounds like a potential crime. I'd talk to reception one more time and make it clear that you are reporting it as theft to the police.

Why is there always someone who says call the police, whatever the thread?! 🤣🤣

Run out of milk? Call the police
Someone blocking your drive? Call the police....

Phone your bank. I have been in similar situations and I have been able to get ringfenced money made available within the hour. They just say if they try to take the money again we will let them.

Ask to speak to the manager, OP, and ask them to cancel this entirely or on a rolling basis - if it's 200 a day then to roll off the days when you don't room service and mini bar/just to take £200. Or ask them to block room service and empty the mini bar from the room and refund/unblock the £800. Then ask them to explain why the receptionist and original booking didn't make this explicit on booking and arrival.

Good luck.

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What happens when you check out and you have spent, say, 100 on room service.

Typically when you pay your actual bill, it clears down the pre-authorisation.

If you use a credit card with sufficient credit limit (or none, like Amex) you would not even notice that this had happened.

Phone your bank and explain and ask them if you can have an overdraft to enjoy your holiday, that won’t be used. Unless they are very arsey they will help. (I once lost my wallet and my bank gave me cash to get home without any ID )

I stay at a lot of hotels through work and while it doesn't happen all the time, it is not uncommon. I would contact your bank and ask if they can help. Don't threaten them with the police (or do if you want to make them laugh)!

Asking them to reduce the amount gradually over the next few days is a good idea, as is asking for an overdraft from your bank so you can still spend money elsewhere.

However, OP and everyone else who doesn't have a credit card, or second account, this is exactly the sort of situation that credit cards were made for, or at least have a decent chunk of money available in a second account with another bank.

So many people on here always say 'I've never had a credit card because I don't believe in spending money I don't have' or only have an account with one bank then complain when they come unstuck when a hotel, supermarket or car hire firm does a preauthorisation and makes some or all of your money unavailable to you for a few days. It's standard practice, easily overcome with a credit card, and one of the many advantages that they have that has nothing to do with spending money that you don't have.

I've stayed in fancy hotels many times and never had that much reserved! It's usually only 100 - 200 the first night, not PER night!

Have you explained to them it was a debit card? It’s not obvious if you have MasterCard or visa debit. The hotel I used to work in would never pre auth a debit card.

This is why everyone should have a credit card (unless you are really really really bad with money).

I agree it is bad of the hotel, but it does say £200 deposit per night, which is £800.

Supporting the PP who've advised requesting a temporary overdraft and explaining the circumstances to your bank. You won't spend the 'reserved' money so you'll be OK.

Good luck phoning them and I hope it's straightforward to sort for you.

Have a lovely holiday and time with your friends.

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions.
It's let me do a over draft application online on my online banking for £300
Better than nothing.
So I'm left with £600 spending money.
Spoke with downstairs again and they won't budge on the £200 a night and will only refund the full £800 on check out.

Yeh this is why I have a credit card that I don’t spend on- you will always need one for a good hotel. Sorry OP

Did you speak with the manager 'downstairs' OP or a receptionist?

My deposit was taken off a credit card not debit card.

Hi op

If you’ve paid up front then they shouldn’t block off anything, you need to insist in it back immediately. Explain tgat you now have no money for the trip and have paid in full for the hotel already. If they are concerned about the minibar ask them to empty it.

Has booking.com definitely paid the hotel? It sounds like a clerical error between the hotel and booking.com

Yep, this is why i have a credit card.
Also for car hire, not sure if it's still true but you used to not be able to hire a car without one.

Do you have no other bank card and no other funds? Spending £1000 on 4 nights seems a bit odd if you've only got £800 in the bank

After 2 nights maybe they can release the first £400?

It's preauthorisation, common in hotels who allow you to charge to the room - they must have got permission at check in eg asked if you want to be able to charge items. Nothing to do with booking.com. £200 a day seems a lot, £100 is common. They haven't taken the money it's just ring fenced and any not spent bid released back on check out, it's why credit cards are better for hotels.

An object lesson for the future. ALWAYS read the T&Cs in detail before booking, and get a CC for emergencies.

Hope you still have a good time though.