Originally Posted by tide

Call the hotel: If you want to guarantee incidentals to your credit card, you will have to fax the hotel a copy of your card along with a letter. I've done this in Asia before though not at the le meridien in KL. I would not personally do this due to a higher incidence of cc fraud in Malaysia but YMMV

Otherwise, your partner could just pay a refundable deposit in cash at check-in. How much exactly you'd have to ask the hotel. Usually it amounts to whatever it costs for a 1-2 nights stay.