Settle the Bill?
 

First time I have ever had this happen and wondering what is going on, what the point is, and to be honest if I have to do it.

Returned to my room at Hilton ORLY after night 3 of a 6 night stay. Envelope on the floor with a note asking me to settle my 500 euro bill. Never have I seen this before, and I have run up 1,000+ hotel bills before my departure.

I don't want to 'settle the bill' because it makes expensing with my company somewhat of a pain. Will they kick me out if I don't settle it or what?

Strange. Do they have your CC on-file with an active preauth hold? Maybe there was some issue with that on their end and they just realized it.

Yes, Corporate Amex in good standing on file. Just used it tonight at a restaurant with no issues. Diamond member as well so well over 60 nights this past year with no issues.

Why not simply ask the FDM about the note? Perhaps it's just a misunderstanding. Although I suppose they have the right to ask a guest to settle their bill mid-stay, as uncommon it might be.

Are you sure it's for your room? (I've gotten bills for the room next door or across the hall by mistake before, under my door.)

Are you sure the hotel knows you're staying another 3 nights? Maybe their system is confused an thinks you're checking out today.

Or is it simply because they want partial payment? (That's not clear to me.)

Are you, by any chance, a Saudi Princess??

OP - What did the FD say when you asked?

Wouldn't that be a starting point before FT?

I've only had this happen once when my CC expired during my stay. Neither I or the FDC noticed upon check-in. Unfortunately that was back when they were listing a start and end date on the cards and I hadn't received the new card before leaving on my trip (other stops along the way). Fortunately I did have other cards that were still current.

But as suggested, stop by the front desk and ask if there is an issue. Maybe the CC refused the pre-authorization not knowing you were traveling. Sometimes their fraud alert software is too sensitive to moving around.

Maybe it was a typo and they actually want you to Seattle the bill?

Probably the card didn't run through right, they may have the number wrong, or something else.

The front desk is by far the only place you will get an answer, everybody here is just guessing.

I am regularly asked to settle portions of my bill on expensive stays in Europe (at specific not all hotels), though usually around the 1000 GBP/Euro mark rather than 500.

I'd settled up mid-stay before, usually right on an elite-qualifying night threshold. And I've had the extended-stay brands want to settle periodically for taxation, accounting, or other reasons. But never had a hotel ask me to settle on a short stay.

Maybe they can only pre-auth for 500 euro....perhaps you can give 'em a 2nd card to pre-auth another 500, but still pay it all on the Amex at the end? Whole thing seems strange... I've had lots of normal work trips hit 1200-1500 pounds or euros, paid with a U.S. credit card, and not had to settle mid-stay.

never seen a bill mid-stay, but once my 2-week stay final bill shows two charges, one at the end of each week.. not sure why, and nvr asked either since it makes no difference to me as I'm using the card on file anyway..

I have had stays lasting in excess of 30 days at Hilton properties and never been asked to settle a bill before departure.
One thing in this is not a surprise---I stayed at Orly Hilton once and vowed never to return. For continental Europe it was the most bottom of the barrel experience I have had.

:D ^