Again I'm going to back up the OP here. I get the 30 seconds inconvenience, but not if it's offset by 20 minutes or more (my case) or the OPs (much more) in trying to get it sorted out.

In my case I gave them a new card, they swiped it for a hold (w/ a HUGE amount beyond the stay which totally fubar'd me for 7 days before it dropped off!!), and then when I checked out tried to charge the original card which was closed, rather than the one given to them!

It cost an extra 20 minutes at check-out, a lot of $$ on phone calls back to the US to sort out the hotel's screw-up, and I got charged extra by the cab because they had to wait for 20 extra minutes while I sorted out the bill. I did make them pay the extra cab fare; I should have made them pay the extra phone bill.

Like the OP - lesson learned. I now make sure at check-in my card is swiped & at check-out when they say use the same card I verify it's the card I used at check-in.

Cheers.