I thought Gold and Diamond members weren't subject to pre-authorisations.

I have had invalid card details in bookings (both prepaid, whereupon the card became invalid later, and not prepaid). If prepaid the issue is either not even raised by the hotel, or they ask if I want to allow charging to the room. If not prepaid then they just ask for another card (or cash!) at check-in.

I did have an issue at the Hampton Schiphol where I had a points booking and the bank noticed some fraudulent charges whilst I was in-flight, so further transactions were blocked. They left me 3 voicemails and sent 5 emails threatening to cancel, but I didn't even expect them to take an authorisation since it was sort of prepaid, with points. When I got to the hotel nothing was said and I checked in normally.

I suppose if the hotel is overbooked they may want more of a guarantee that guests are actually coming, or be looking for reasons to cancel some reservations.


I can't see how the Tandem fee makes sense unless one has £75000 in cash savings which increase by at least £20K per year, or one plans to pay interest (but isn't the point of a credit card unplanned borrowing, if one is actually using it to buy things before they have the money to pay for them?)