Re: Hotel Deposits

Moonblossom · January 30, 2009, 02:01:53 PM

I think it's to cover possible incedental damages, such as stained or torn linens and carpets, broken plumbing, snuck-in pets, smoking in non-smoking rooms, stolen bathrobes, or any other nutty thing that could possibly be anticipated but not expected.

edit: For the record, it's not always charged. In my two years at the Hilton for Fanime, I was never charged an advance deposit. I suspect outward appearance at check-in may impact whether or not it's charged for most hotels, as harsh as that sounds. Back when I used to go to Anaheim for AX and I checked in with a loud, goofy friend wearing cat ears and nine billion pins on her falling-apart backpack, they charged me. Now when I wear a nice blouse, travel with one shiny new suitcase and a quiet, male travel companion who usually dresses in slacks and a dress shirt, I've yet to be charged an advance deposit, no matter what hotel chain in what city we're staying in. I guess we just don't look like "risks".

FanFicGuru · February 03, 2009, 12:24:10 PM

Quote from: Moonblossom on January 30, 2009, 02:01:53 PM
I think it's to cover possible incedental damages, such as stained or torn linens and carpets, broken plumbing, snuck-in pets, smoking in non-smoking rooms, stolen bathrobes, or any other nutty thing that could possibly be anticipated but not expected.

edit: For the record, it's not always charged. In my two years at the Hilton for Fanime, I was never charged an advance deposit. I suspect outward appearance at check-in may impact whether or not it's charged for most hotels, as harsh as that sounds. Back when I used to go to Anaheim for AX and I checked in with a loud, goofy friend wearing cat ears and nine billion pins on her falling-apart backpack, they charged me. Now when I wear a nice blouse, travel with one shiny new suitcase and a quiet, male travel companion who usually dresses in slacks and a dress shirt, I've yet to be charged an advance deposit, no matter what hotel chain in what city we're staying in. I guess we just don't look like "risks".

lol I'm not sure whether to be offended by that statement or not, because I've always checked in by myself or with one other person and I am not the type to give off the wrong sort of impression...yet I've always been charged deposits.

Odd...

Moonblossom · February 03, 2009, 01:55:38 PM

I didn't mean to imply anything by it, I'm just sharing my own personal experiences. I didn't want it to come across like "all people who get charged deposits look shady" or anything.

Also, age might be a factor? I'm nearly 30, and I probably look more like a business traveler than anything.

FanFicGuru · February 05, 2009, 03:45:31 PM

Quote from: Moonblossom on February 03, 2009, 01:55:38 PM
I didn't mean to imply anything by it, I'm just sharing my own personal experiences. I didn't want it to come across like "all people who get charged deposits look shady" or anything.

Also, age might be a factor? I'm nearly 30, and I probably look more like a business traveler than anything.

Yeah I understand. I'm nearly 25 myself...maybe I should wear my suit when I check in this year. lol

Moonblossom · February 06, 2009, 07:56:09 AM

XD. Do you drive or fly? I always dress "nice" since I fly alone and they're much more likely to bump someone to business class if they're alone and dressed nicely. It's worked a few times already <.<

Also, I'm not sure what it says about me that my posts keep getting split off into their own threads. It's like I go on these semi-useful but semi-unrelated diatribes far too often...

elfgirlkaname · February 19, 2009, 11:14:20 PM

yeah actually the last two years I didn't get charged the deposit but my first year at fanime I did...

I don't really know what makes you have to pay the deposit...
I did come on friday my first year, but ever since then I've been comming on thursday :-\ i don't know but I hope they don't charge me a deposit this year *crosses fingers*

M · March 02, 2009, 04:30:01 AM

If you check in using a CC, one of two things may be happening...
1) The 'deposit' is put on and removed before you have a chance to notice.
2) Your CC doesn't show it as it's a temporary hold.

I've noticed this with my previous CC, but BoA shows it on everything. Also, in my experiences of traveling with various types of people, I have always seen a deposit put on my account. It didn't matter what I was wearing... I don't think a hotel chain would consider not putting a temp. hold just because you look a certain way...

Moonblossom · March 02, 2009, 01:00:38 PM

I get very detailed card statements that have shown temporary holds in the past, like during the aforementioned travel to AX. I assure you, I have not ever been charged a hotel deposit at Fanime, nor recently when I went to Colorado. I don't know the reasoning, my appearance was just a speculation on my part that seems to correlate with my experiences, but the fact that I've never been charged a deposit at the San Jose Hilton was just that - fact.

Maybe I'm just lucky, who knows. I certainly don't mean to suggest people should wear suits and ties and not budget in their security deposit, that's silly. I am just relating my personal experiences.

FanFicGuru · March 02, 2009, 04:36:47 PM

Quote from: Moonblossom on March 02, 2009, 01:00:38 PM
I get very detailed card statements that have shown temporary holds in the past, like during the aforementioned travel to AX. I assure you, I have not ever been charged a hotel deposit at Fanime, nor recently when I went to Colorado. I don't know the reasoning, my appearance was just a speculation on my part that seems to correlate with my experiences, but the fact that I've never been charged a deposit at the San Jose Hilton was just that - fact.

Maybe I'm just lucky, who knows. I certainly don't mean to suggest people should wear suits and ties and not budget in their security deposit, that's silly. I am just relating my personal experiences.

Highly suspect...surely you must have mob ties or something...

yessss... >_>

puyo_pop · March 17, 2009, 09:53:32 PM

When are these hotel deposits taken? Is it when you check-in or before that? I gave my debit card number when I made reservations and I want to make sure there's enough money in there in case they do take a deposit.

M · March 18, 2009, 01:36:57 PM

Quote from: puyo_pop on March 17, 2009, 09:53:32 PM
When are these hotel deposits taken? Is it when you check-in or before that? I gave my debit card number when I made reservations and I want to make sure there's enough money in there in case they do take a deposit.

The deposit hold that we're referring to is put on there when you first check in.

Some hotels will place a hold for one night when you put in your reservation though. It's best just to ask them about this.

If the hold is on a debit card, it won't cause your account to go overdraft unless it turns into an actual 'charge'. BTW, your account won't go into the negative due to a credit, but if your balance is at zero due to a hold, spending money might cause you to overdraft.

starchildrose · March 18, 2009, 11:15:07 PM

this year, my mom let me use her credit card to book my hotel room. i wonder if i will physically need her credit card when they charge the deposit?

Jerry · March 19, 2009, 08:51:48 AM

Quote from: starchildrose on March 18, 2009, 11:15:07 PM
this year, my mom let me use her credit card to book my hotel room. i wonder if i will physically need her credit card when they charge the deposit?

in most cases, the short answer might be YES. usually the hotel will confirm that the card holder is present and swipe the card to verify that the transaction is legit.

if the hotel has been paid in advance [which most cases usually are nowadays] the "deposit" will be a pending transaction and technically not charge to the card.

only AFTER the fact of checking out, where and inspection of the room will occur and then any damages, missing towels, missing bathrobes, and any or all of the food/drinks taken from the room [depending on which hotel ur at] will be automatically charged to the card.

of course each hotel or location may vary with their rules and regulations in regards to charges and fees.

starchildrose · March 19, 2009, 09:34:04 AM

so even if the hotel room has been paid for and booked for in advance, they will still need to swipe the card again???

ewu · March 19, 2009, 09:47:30 AM

Even if paid for and booked, the transaction is not complete until AFTER you check out. It depends on the hotel but they may need to reswipe your card. Best would be to contact CMR in the CMR thread or the contact info from the hotel booking page:

CONTACT OUR CUSTOMER CARE CENTER:
Monday - Friday, 6am - 6pm (Pacific Time)
(800) 924-4232 (US & Canada)
(415) 979-2282 (International)

puyo_pop · March 20, 2009, 09:45:46 PM

Quote from: MPLe on March 18, 2009, 01:36:57 PM
Quote from: puyo_pop on March 17, 2009, 09:53:32 PM
When are these hotel deposits taken? Is it when you check-in or before that? I gave my debit card number when I made reservations and I want to make sure there's enough money in there in case they do take a deposit.
The deposit hold that we're referring to is put on there when you first check in.

Some hotels will place a hold for one night when you put in your reservation though. It's best just to ask them about this.

If the hold is on a debit card, it won't cause your account to go overdraft unless it turns into an actual 'charge'. BTW, your account won't go into the negative due to a credit, but if your balance is at zero due to a hold, spending money might cause you to overdraft.

oh ok. thanks for clearing that up.

caskaslyrk · March 27, 2009, 03:31:12 PM

Quote from: MPLe on March 18, 2009, 01:36:57 PM
Quote from: puyo_pop on March 17, 2009, 09:53:32 PM
When are these hotel deposits taken? Is it when you check-in or before that? I gave my debit card number when I made reservations and I want to make sure there's enough money in there in case they do take a deposit.
The deposit hold that we're referring to is put on there when you first check in.

Some hotels will place a hold for one night when you put in your reservation though. It's best just to ask them about this.

If the hold is on a debit card, it won't cause your account to go overdraft unless it turns into an actual 'charge'. BTW, your account won't go into the negative due to a credit, but if your balance is at zero due to a hold, spending money might cause you to overdraft.

Actually a few years ago when I checked into the hilton I has US bank and they charged me a $150 deposit which "somehow" posted to my account right away and I was charge 3 overdraft charges. They charged the room on one charge and then the deposit on a 2nd charge. They didn't even say sorry :'(

otaku_duckie · March 28, 2009, 10:48:59 PM

Hi I'm Duckie, This is my first time reserving a hotel room on my own and I kinda need some help.

I'm staying at the fairmont and I was wondering about the deposit policy, what exactly does it mean by credit card guarantee? Is it better/easier to do check deposit?

M · March 30, 2009, 09:02:34 AM

Quote from: caskaslyrk on March 27, 2009, 03:31:12 PMActually a few years ago when I checked into the hilton I has US bank and they charged me a $150 deposit which "somehow" posted to my account right away and I was charge 3 overdraft charges. They charged the room on one charge and then the deposit on a 2nd charge. They didn't even say sorry :'(

I'm not sure of the US Bank policies, but you might have been able to contact them, explain the situation, and get it fixed on their end. This most likely requires some sort of paperback, but I believe you can do a "chargeback" (although I believe that it is a different term for Check/Debit Cards).

Quote from: otaku_duckie on March 28, 2009, 10:48:59 PM
Hi I'm Duckie, This is my first time reserving a hotel room on my own and I kinda need some help.
I'm staying at the fairmont and I was wondering about the deposit policy, what exactly does it mean by credit card guarantee? Is it better/easier to do check deposit?

I'm not sure what the context is, but I believe that they are referring to how you must have a Credit Card (or check, possibly?) on your room file for accidentals (i.e. read this thread :P).

WaffoCellist · April 15, 2009, 03:30:57 PM

I did my homework...staying at the Marriott this year.

The Marriott charges a $100/per day deposit fee. So if you spend 3 nights at the Marriott, expect to make a deposit of $300 on top of your daily rate charge. If you use cash or debit, they will automatically charge you for the deposit fee and expect payment up front (yes, this will show up right away on your debit card). Best bet is to charge on a credit card - the deposit just ends up as a hold on your account and clears after you check out - pending of course there are no damages to the room since you checked in.

There is also a $2/day convention charge for the hotel, 10% city tax and a low.0007% tourist tax on top of your nightly charge.

Hope this helps those checking into the Marriott. Lay those ground rules to your roomies so they don't go rock star in your hotel room and you get left with the hefty fees.

Also, you can't request roll-away beds in a double/double (fire hazard)...only in King bedded rooms only.

If you are staying at other hotels...don't be afraid to call and ask them for info. They are really nice....score 1 for Marriott for taking their time to answer my questions.