Originally Posted by
Kacee
Yes, and I'm afraid that frauds of various kinds have become a particular issue in parts of California, including LA and the bay area. Such that locals often cannot rent cars at LAX and some hotels in the bay area now tell you on their reservations page that they will pull a substantial deposit (not just an authorization) from your card at check-in. Whether examining a DL is an effective means of combatting that fraud may be debated, but no doubt that's the intention.
I believe I have read from blogs early this year about certain IHG properties would not accept guests who live within certain distances. Can't remember what the actual situation was, but at the end it is due to rampant frauds and the hotels have the right to refuse guests check in even having legit reservation.
Last year we stayed at Orange Beach AL, at a BonVoy property IIRC was a 4P? They charged the CC before I checked in, despite I informed them thru chat that I would pay with Marriott GC. At check in they informed me the CC was charged for the first night. I automatically thought it was preauthorization, both the FD clerk and the manager said at the same time,"No, it was an actual charge." Of course they refunded it and the folio was paid with Marriott GC without hitch. Their explanation was that the owner of this property and other properties they own, the system was designed this way to combat frauds.
As for rental cars, several European rentals (Croatia and Italy which happened this April) and a Turkish rental we have had, the Avis/Budget all charged the full rental + additional at the time of taking out the car, not a preauthorization but actual charges went thru. The most formal one was at Turkey - they actually handed us a letter showing the details of the charges and the conditions of refund (full refund minus tolls and damages). At return we got a similarly detailed letter listed out how the refund was calculated. We were impressed.