Originally Posted by
mlin32
In Europe, there are some slightly newer portable POS machines that have a touchscreen in addition to the PIN pad. The screens are big enough I guess to suggest a gratuity amount.
That's exactly it. Large screen with enough room for the text.
Originally Posted by
CanadaDH
I'm curious what sort of POS machine they're using at check-out? My experience has always been that I provide my credit card at check-in when they do a pre-authorization. But, when I check-out, the hotel just charges my card for the balance on my account. Many hotels offer a 'fast check-out' where you just leave (or text them that you're leaving, or tap button in the app that you're leaving, etc.), but I don't recall using a traditional POS credit card terminal, like you would at retail, when checking out at a hotel. At least where I stay, I'm not using a POS machine where I could be prompted to leave a tip, even if they wanted to implement that. Is this common in some markets, to check-out using a standard retail POS terminal?
I did point this out to them : if you elect the "fast check-out", you are not pressured to give a tip. They did not comment.
They did not send me an invoice after I had checked out. So, I requested it by phone and funnily enough, I got one with the comment "
congratulations! you elected fast check out etc.... Here is your invoice".
Regarding your last question, it depends on the hotels. At Ibis Style Dreux for example, they suggest you to settle your bill the night before departure, using a POS device. But if you refuse for some reason and leave the next day without paying at the desk, they say nothing and the card you used for guarantee is charged a few hours later.
I think they prefer to charge at the counter. I had an issue with Novotel Versailles where the card I had used for booking had been cancelled. I had forgotten about it and left without checking out at the counter. They called me later that day asking for another card because the payment had failed.