Has anyone tried to pre-pay their hotel stay on purpose to lock in an exchange rate?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Upper midwest
Programs: Delta Pb Medallion
Posts: 608
Has anyone tried to pre-pay their hotel stay on purpose to lock in an exchange rate?
Having searched and read through this forum, I realize that payment for IC hotels varies. If you get an Advanced Purchase Rate odds are you pay up front, though the fine print contradicts itself and says at the time of booking as well as sometime between booking and the stay. Reports in this forum vary. And, obviously, other rates often don't involve any prepayment. You pay when you check out.
So... what if you want to pre-pay?
As of this moment a "1 euro in usd" Google search is returning a 1.2447 exchange rate. That's phenomenal. "1 aud in usd" is at 0.6356. "1 nzd in usd" is 0.5537. Great rates abound for the USD. So... what if I want to budget out an IC stay for next summer. Sure, it's possible the exchange rates are even better next summer. But, they could also be a lot worst. The point is that I'm clearly willing to budget and pay for a stay given the exchange rate now rather than take my chances later.
So if I book something now, is it possible to pre-pay? Should I call up the specific IC, or a general PC number, and ask to have my CC charged right away?
Thanks for the tips.
So... what if you want to pre-pay?
As of this moment a "1 euro in usd" Google search is returning a 1.2447 exchange rate. That's phenomenal. "1 aud in usd" is at 0.6356. "1 nzd in usd" is 0.5537. Great rates abound for the USD. So... what if I want to budget out an IC stay for next summer. Sure, it's possible the exchange rates are even better next summer. But, they could also be a lot worst. The point is that I'm clearly willing to budget and pay for a stay given the exchange rate now rather than take my chances later.
So if I book something now, is it possible to pre-pay? Should I call up the specific IC, or a general PC number, and ask to have my CC charged right away?
Thanks for the tips.
#2
Join Date: May 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E, PC Plat Amb
Posts: 329
alternatively, why don't you hedge yourself? If you think USD is so good, then buy Euros or whatever other currency you may need next Summer, you can always settle your hotel bill in local currency.
#3
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Moscow
Programs: DL GM and so on
Posts: 1,200
I've never had any problem with this. You should contact the hotel directly, and they may ask you to fax them an authorization form. Also usually such prepayments are not refundable.
#7
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1
I book the flexible rate so don't pay until I arrive or check out at the hotel with the risk of the Aussie dollar dropping compared to GBP so I always print out what they have quoted me in Aussie dollars! Also booking the flexible rate I can check daily and if the rate drops I can cancel and rebook. So far I've saved $800 for the booked six nights this way. Even if the Aussie dollar drops I'm still in front. I also make sure that I print out the cancellation emails just in case there's an oversight and I end up with four rooms for the same dates!
#9
Don't most hotels say that the price could change with a change in the exchange rate? That's been the case in my experience, but I have a small sample size. If so, then a quote from the time of booking will not be useful. Am I missing something?
#10
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,226
I have prepaid 2 or 3 times on flex rates just before Brexit vote (wise decision!) - hotel sends a form and one wanted a scan of my passport to match against the card details.
#11
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: UA*G(1K), PC Diamond Amb, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,667
HTB.
#12
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: UA*G(1K), PC Diamond Amb, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,667
HTB.
#13
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,343
I believe hotels.com allows you to prepay at more or less the current exchange rate, using any currency you choose, even on flexible bookings. If you wanted to gamble on the rate you could even get it refunded should your payment currency decline relative to the hotel's currency. Of course this isn't helpful if you want to participate in a hotel chain's rewards program.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,682
In my experience, I find IHG "prepaid non-refundable rates" are all over the place as to when you are actually charged for the booking at local currency.
#15
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: SIA Solitaire PPS, IHG Royal Amb, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Hhonor Gold
Posts: 2,207
Hi
I will be using IHG Ambassador BOGO voucher where payment will be made at check-in/check-out. In this case, would the hotel allow prepayment for the stay?
I will be using IHG Ambassador BOGO voucher where payment will be made at check-in/check-out. In this case, would the hotel allow prepayment for the stay?