Hotel requesting information

[MrsWembley]

Never booked a hotel outside Europe before. This one is requesting a copy of my credit card, front and back, and a copy of my passport? Is this standard?

I'm not paying by credit card, it's straight from my bank account, so do they need anything or should I just phone them and give them the numbers over the phone?

I know this is effectively the same thing as sending them a photo of my card, but it feels less easy for anyone to steal ID like that. It's coupled with the request for my passport that got my hackles up, really, but I don't know, this could be normal practice!

Help!

Yes, I'm used to being asked for passport details on arrival, but I've not done the booking before, certainly never outside Europe!

The hotel have told me that bank won't release international payments without a copy of a passport. I wonder if it's to do with money laundering?

I've paid a few hotels in Malaysia and Thailand for this summer and never been asked for passport or all of bank card. It sounds dodgy to me and also risk if you e-mail it of it being intercepted. Some I've paid with card via secure internet page, one I paid a deposit by Paypal, some have said pay when there. Any option to use Paypal? Their fee are high but its safe.

What country is it? You could ask your bank's advice but can't imagine they would be keen.

Tripadviser forum for a country normally has locals on it who maybe able to advise if its normal though still wouldn't do it myself.

Just. Don’t

I seem to remember having had to do this for a US hotel.

Also just because you aren't paying by credit card, they will still want a credit card for any extra's. Obvs you'd usually provide that on arrival, but in this case they want it prior. You could argue they don't need it for cancellation charges since you are paying up front.

Why on earth would you want to pay direct from your bank account instead of using a credit card? This is not safe!

Pay by credit card! You need protection-if it is shit you have little recourse with bank transfer. Madness to not use a credit card for this sort of transaction.
But I’d not be sending them any copies in advance of anything. You can give them what they need at check-in.

I recently had a similar request. Made a booking through booking.com for an apartment in Spain, not AirBnB or VRBO, but a company with a number of properties they manage. After booking, I was sent a link where I had to upload a copy of my passport, a copy of the front and back of my credit card and a selfie A quick search found the ‘reservation verification platform’ was an American company registered in Delaware but based in India. When I flagged my concerns about ID theft, Booking told me it was mandatory to provide this before arrival. Thankfully I had opted for the ‘free cancellation’ option.
I understand the need to sight the ID on arrival (which is what the listing stated before I booked). The credit card photos, no just no - secure payment platform only.

Why aren't you paying by credit card?

Which country?

Tried TripAdvisor over the weekend and all the replies have come back that it's normal!!!

I'm not paying by cc because I have the money in my account - inheritance!

It's SA.

Pay with credit card. Immediately pay credit card from inheritance.

Job done.

Always pay by CC - then use the money in your account to pay it off. We claimed back our flights when TUI went bust, have claimed when a hotel turned out not to be as advertised etc. It’s a no brainer.

If you have the money in your bank account, I'd still pay by cc and then pay it off straight away. That way you at least have some protection and haven't paid the interest. It would be madness not to do this, particularly if there are already some concerns/red flags. Have a great holiday.

I've had this a few times before, it is odd to do, but not unusual

I don’t see the problem with putting on your credit card and paying it straight off after?

I’ve heard of it before I wasn’t surprised that they’ve asked you for that I’ll be honest i’m surprised at how many people are saying it’s an absolute no-no

I have the money in my account but I always use a credit card because it's safer and it doesn't cost anything