Sigh...some people are unbelievable. Whatever. Sure, I stayed there on my degenerate free nights
if that makes you feel better. Truth is, I actually paid full cash for my 2nd week long stay at that property, but that is not the point. Charging 50 euro PER night (that is why it is several hundred as I said) is absurd. That covers the cost of damages? Suuuure it does.
I get it, everyone here is some first world high roller who thinks you should just accept whatever they block or charge because it justifies you being in that hotel...otherwise you don't belong!
I think if someone pays the room rate they are quoted, that entitles them to be in that hotel...1 star or 5. I wish I knew a what point Flyertalk became such a haven for elitist entitled *******s. I find it pitiful how many people need to feel like the size of their bank account or what you spend on a hotel makes you better than someone else. I have news for you...you know what paying 700 a night to stay at the PH Vienna makes you? It isn't cool, or special or better than anyone...it makes you stupid, regardless of what you have in the bank. That is just wasteful and silly. Even the richest people save money.
Telling someone your room is 2000 for 5 days and then blocking another 15% of the bill is not right to me. People have different circumstances...some only use their bank cards, some keep higher amounts on their cards, some don't travel with a bunch of cards...all of which could be adversely affected by an unnecessary "hold" that, despite what some apologists here say, often stays on your card for a good while until after your trip ends.
The point here is that there is no real legitimate reason for it. It is NOT for security or to cover the room like someone absurdly said, and you can charge my incidentals at checkout. If I am going to scam you and not pay, blocking 50 euro a day is not going to stop me from charging $3000 in booze and room service and spa services. No logic to the argument.
If you want to charge me the moment I make an incidental charge and if it does not go through, then stop me from any other charges...THAT makes sense. If you are worried I will skip out, charge my card for the room charge at check in. Certainly a few hundred bucks does not protect you if I skip out on a multi thousand dollar room. And again...it IS the principal. The hold does not impact me in the slightest as I never ever keep a balance on any card, but it still seems anachronistic and unnecessary to me.