To think this is the most embarrassing reason to have your card blocked??

[slippedawaylikeabottleofwine]

I’m going on holiday next year and because of that I’ve been reserving a ton of hotels on booking.com, all for free, with a view to deciding where I’ll be staying next year at some point. Nationwide blocked my card after I did about four in a row! I just had to call and explain what I was doing, they blocked it for “suspicious activity”.

Fair enough, it looks odd, but now I’m mortified

I doubt that. It’s a year out. I’m probably a week away from paying. These rooms will get booked.

If it’s a year out and you are 90% certain then why not wait another few days until you are 99% and then hold two rooms at the most? So as to not inconvenience others?

Because how does it? These aren’t the only rooms at the only hotel in the city!

Because how does it? These aren’t the only rooms at the only hotel in the city!

Because how does it? These aren’t the only rooms at the only hotel in the city!

Because how does it? These aren’t the only rooms at the only hotel in the city!

It is a bit embarrassing to be so indecisive but in the greater scheme of the dodgy things people put on their cards I'm sure noone cares.

Well agree to disagree.

Why are you mortified??

That's the point of free cancellation. You pay more for the room but have flexibility. If you're sure you'll need the room you can prepay and get a cheaper rate.

You must think it's a bit odd yourself or why would you be embarrassed?

That’s a really odd approach and I really couldn’t be bothered to go to through the hassle of cancelling them all. I thoroughly research all options when I’m booking then just book.

It takes about two minutes. The major brands all allow it

I'm disappointed that this wasn't about something actually embarrassing

I don’t blame OP for thinking ahead as that’s sensible but why the need to block book so many different hotels for the same event a year in advance?! I get she said because new options are popping up frequently but in that case just start looking 6 months closer to the date and then pick just one. Seems a bit crazy and obsessive to me. And if it’s price focussed then why have 3 or more others on the go?! Surely the point of all this research is as you find a cheaper price, close to the event then just cancel the previous one and so on. So why all the others also? Also is OP going to check on a weekly basis for a year leaving a trail of possibly hundreds of room cancellations behind her?!

As it happens, I’ve found one I love and booked it.

but yes, I’d rather have cancelled 15 hotels and got a great price than book the first one I see! Prices will
rise sharply in January/February time and I simply don’t have the budget to pay what they’ll be asking then.

I always book cancellable/amendable rooms, but I don't ever book loads of differeng options knowing I don't plan to use most of them!

I actually think she's right to be embarrassed. It's such an entitled, cunty thing to do. I'd be ashamed too!

I’m not ashamed.

and to be quite honest, I’d rather be a cunt and pay £400 for a room than not be a cunt and pay £1200!

Yeah, that's not the kind of embarrassing I was hoping for. I was thinking spending £1000s in a sex shop etc

OP isn't mortified, OP just wanted to have a little brag about money.

There is a world of difference doing this so you have some security in case of events you can't plan for, and bulk booking hotels knowing you will cancel most.

I am with you on liking to be able to cancel if necessary, but so far I don't think I have ever needed to.

Not really a brag when I’m doing it all on a tight budget!

Not ashamed but so embarrassed about explaining it to the bank you felt the need to post about it on MN. Okay then. I’m just glad the majority think YABU and most people are more considerate in their booking etiquette.

So you think it's completely normal behaviour that all your friends and family do but it's also hideously embarrassing? Can't be both.