First time I’ve experienced this.

At check-in, I had to tap my CC on file for incidentals. Completely normal. They say the incidentals will be “given back after checkout”. Ok, weird phrasing, but whatever.

At checkout, I was given two separate folios. One for the room and taxes. The other was for the incidentals and it specifically says “refund” as the description of the credit.

My credit card shows an actual charge and a separate pending refund. Not just a “hold” that falls off.

Is this the new way forward? Or a front desk mistake?