Originally Posted by
FrugalLuxury
First thanks for the feedback. As you are one of the main posters on IHG (whose posts I have read over the years), I take your words as the definitive guide
Yes, it's a bit complicated. But the gist of it is some family members newly got into this game but their travel plans changed -- while I have the flexibility to travel there to pick up the tab. (No, it's not my duplicate account.)
Regarding 3), if A (family member) has pre-paid the stay in full (either by CC or by points), then s/he should get the stay credit with no problem? I guess in that case B (it's me) just checks in as a second guest without presenting his own IHG credentials to avoid any confusion. The IHG bennies (for non RAs) are dubious at many properties anyways
Slightly changed regards what you posted originally about B picking up the tab, by now saying A has booked a prepaid non-cancelable room, which A can no longer use but B (yourself) can.
The roomrate is prepaid already?, and it could well be more is needed than simply using your CC at checkin to cover deposit on the prepaid room.
Hotels are obliged to help prevent CC fraud etc, so whilst not all do, many hotels will require checkin person, even if A themselves, to provide original payment CC card at checkin.
If at checkin original CC cannot be provided by booker (A), hotel may (and can) require A to pay in full again for room and hotel then organises refund of prepayment to CC. Again not all hotels checkin staff follow these anti-fraud measures so ymmv
Obviously on flex pay at checkin rates this above issue will not arise!
In your case, as B (not A) checking in, hotels are even more likely to ask you to pay the room again upfront, unless the CC owner has provided a liability release direct to hotel for that upfront.
I saw exactly this exact discussion only 2weeks ago at a hotel checkin, where a company manager had booked/prepaid room for a staff member, but failed to follow up to hotel with the required signed CC release form for their personal CC.
Company staff member at checkin counter was furious, blustering etc, threatening to remove all company business from hotel, but hotel stuck to the requirement.
This is no different to airline travel where CC often needs presenting at checkin as a fraud prevention measure, and if booking/paying person is not traveling then a liability release is needed. BA in Amsterdam always require my CC at checkin (KLM don't), as do SQ if I book+pay my girlfriends ticket but do not travel too.