I made a couple of reservations at the SLS Las Vegas in anticipation of a forthcoming trip, and (despite being a flexible corporate rate) a credit card deposit was required.
The rate was USD144.50, plus resort fee and taxes.
The confirmation email states :
USD 144.50 deposit is due <immediately> and will be charged to the credit card provided.
If you cancel before <3 days before stay date> there will be no forfeit amount.
If you cancel after <3 days before stay date> the forfeiture amount will be 144.50.
Looking at my credit card statement, the deposit charged was USD162.56, which is exactly 12.5% more than the confirmed sum.
Another reservation for a different night at a lower rate, also had a 12.5% overcharge.
Are there any legitimate reasons for a hotel to charge more than it promised on the confirmation email ? Why 12.5% ?
This is more than just an academic question : if I cancel, I will incur a higher loss on the buy/sell currency range when the USD amounts are converted to my credit card currency.
An email to the hotel requesting an explanation remains unanswered.