We have been in two Central American countries during the past month, and have had 4 instances where travel suppliers have required that we sign blank credit card forms. It happened with two hotels and two car rental companies. I have top status with the hotels. In one case, I signed with a note "signed blank". In the other case, the hotel waived the requirement.
In the two car rental companies, the first time I signed with a note "signed blank". With the next company, here was the steps we went thru:
- Signed with a note "signed blank". Agent tore up slip, and said we could write nothing.
- Signed the blank slip and took the customer copy. Agent tore up the slip and said we could not do that. We were welcome to go elsewhere to rent a car.
- Signed the blank form and got the agent to make a copy of the blank form so that we had evidence it was signed blank.
Was there anything different we could have done? Was I right to be so leary of signing a blank slip?