Originally Posted by
scubaccr
Sounds more a scam than anything. Definitely correct to not do anything over a phone call you did not initiate yourself.
Myself I would have asked for there name/position/extension and used another phone to call hotel back on published general number to ensure it is a bonafide call from hotel.
I am sure many guests on flex cancel before arrival (or even 4pm day of arrival) provide invalid cancelled card numbers or self-load card numbers with almost zero balances.
Then when guest fails to arrive and doesnt first cancel, hotel can not collect the 1night fee the following morning.
I know one UK HIE hotel that if flex booking 4pm day of arrival, preauths provided CC at 1550 on day of arrival and if rejected immediately cancels your booking and relists room without contacting guest, Plus maes no difference if you are elite or stayed last week with the hotel.
Catches guests out, is really annoying as no other nearby hotels, and as usually sold out, in demand, relisted room is snapped up within minutes of 4pm by those needing a room there.
When guest reaches reception , hotels view s not our problem, room not guaranteed for arrival after pm as no valid CC so your fault, and we resold room, sorry no other hotels locally sort one yourself.
Can even happen whilst you are queing at reception there that your room is cancelled for invalid CC
I didn't get more info because I was on a call at work on hold but took this one since it was a europe number. But I agree, it smelled very scammy to me.
That has only happened to me once and its always Choice hotels that charge my card before I even check in. It's really annoying actually. I was in Santa Monica and had used a different card to reserve and I dont remember if it changed or whatever but I literally was biking in the boardwalk and had not much on me and the desk was like we will cancel your reservation and I was like Dude, its not even the time that the reservation says I have to cancel by, im literally on a bike. I had to call back a little bit later when I got to my car but it was annoying as heck.