May 11, 2019, 9:00 am
Last edit by: SanDiego1K
Description of resolution can be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31088204-post759.html
Outrageous No-Show Fee Incurred At St. Regis Aspen
Mar 22, 2019, 12:50 pm
#436
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
ADDED to the post about the $1 charge that was reversed: As I indicated this was not an award stay.However, as I think about it, the hotel did try to do some "contract supplements" by email too. I'll have to check the email dates versus when the $1 charge was done. The email,which didn't ask for a response, had some expected welcome information but then also gave some very punitive conditions for an early departure.
IME if a hotel wants to check the validity of a credit card in advance, it would do a hold on funds (subtracted from the credit limit for cards with credit limits) that would then briefly appear as a pending charge. This was an actual charge followed by an actual credit and I've never noticed such a practice before. Moreover, the hold would protect the hotel much more than just knowing that the credit card company will approve a $1 charge as for all they knew, the card could have been within $2 of my credit limit versus having a portion of the credit limit set aside to cover the anticipated bill, which is what hotels typically do at check in (or sometimes shortly before arrival, assuming a guaranteed but not nonrefundable rate plan).
IME if a hotel wants to check the validity of a credit card in advance, it would do a hold on funds (subtracted from the credit limit for cards with credit limits) that would then briefly appear as a pending charge. This was an actual charge followed by an actual credit and I've never noticed such a practice before. Moreover, the hold would protect the hotel much more than just knowing that the credit card company will approve a $1 charge as for all they knew, the card could have been within $2 of my credit limit versus having a portion of the credit limit set aside to cover the anticipated bill, which is what hotels typically do at check in (or sometimes shortly before arrival, assuming a guaranteed but not nonrefundable rate plan).
Mar 22, 2019, 1:00 pm
#437
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 902
ADDED to the post about the $1 charge that was reversed: As I indicated this was not an award stay.However, as I think about it, the hotel did try to do some "contract supplements" by email too. I'll have to check the email dates versus when the $1 charge was done. The email,which didn't ask for a response, had some expected welcome information but then also gave some very punitive conditions for an early departure.
IME if a hotel wants to check the validity of a credit card in advance, it would do a hold on funds (subtracted from the credit limit for cards with credit limits) that would then briefly appear as a pending charge. This was an actual charge followed by an actual credit and I've never noticed such a practice before. Moreover, the hold would protect the hotel much more than just knowing that the credit card company will approve a $1 charge as for all they knew, the card could have been within $2 of my credit limit versus having a portion of the credit limit set aside to cover the anticipated bill, which is what hotels typically do at check in (or sometimes shortly before arrival, assuming a guaranteed but not nonrefundable rate plan).
IME if a hotel wants to check the validity of a credit card in advance, it would do a hold on funds (subtracted from the credit limit for cards with credit limits) that would then briefly appear as a pending charge. This was an actual charge followed by an actual credit and I've never noticed such a practice before. Moreover, the hold would protect the hotel much more than just knowing that the credit card company will approve a $1 charge as for all they knew, the card could have been within $2 of my credit limit versus having a portion of the credit limit set aside to cover the anticipated bill, which is what hotels typically do at check in (or sometimes shortly before arrival, assuming a guaranteed but not nonrefundable rate plan).
Regardless of your opinion on whether it is a good method to check the validity of a credit card, submitting a $1.00 charge and then reversing it is the current benchmark for e-commerce.
Mar 22, 2019, 1:03 pm
#438
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
This isn't e-commerce; it's a normal refundable hotel reservation and the $1 charge was done at some random time long after I had made the reservation.
Mar 22, 2019, 1:11 pm
#439
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 902
e-commerce is an industry term that means any transaction where the card was not presented to the merchant submitting the charge and the cc details were obtained by phone or online.
Mar 22, 2019, 1:50 pm
#440
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Regardless, on a flexible hotel reservation with Marriott hotels, it is not typical for a hotel to charge the card (even for verification purposes) before check in. I say this having made hundreds, if not thousands, of hotel reservations. Of course, a prepaid reservation is a different story.
Mar 22, 2019, 2:00 pm
#441
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
I had a two night stay booked at the Marriott at Circular Quay in Sydney last August 31st which I had already checked in for and which was well past the cancellation window. My QF F flight DFW-SYD was delayed 24 hours due to Mechanical. I messaged the property through the APP and explained the situation. They, without issue and without charge, cancelled my first night and changed the reservation to a 1 night stay. When I arrived at 7:30 am the day after my original booking I was checked-in early and upgraded to a Junior Suite with a smile. Fantastic Customer Service.
I am all for the 48 hour check-in. It allows you to comminicate directly with the hotel. I have also been able to confirm suite upgrades before arrival if I haven't already been upgraded prior to check-in. I also advise the hotel again what time I will be arriving when enroute to the hotel so it is fresh in their minds when I get there.
James in Phoenix
I am all for the 48 hour check-in. It allows you to comminicate directly with the hotel. I have also been able to confirm suite upgrades before arrival if I haven't already been upgraded prior to check-in. I also advise the hotel again what time I will be arriving when enroute to the hotel so it is fresh in their minds when I get there.
James in Phoenix
Mar 22, 2019, 2:13 pm
#443
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 121
Mar 22, 2019, 2:28 pm
#444
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 902
Whether that is a viable option will vary a lot, depending on the guest’s residence. If from a different country, collection will be very difficult. They can also let Marriott know and have the guest fired as a member of the loyalty program.
Mar 22, 2019, 2:44 pm
#445
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 121
That is true. There are some countries that wouldn't enforce US contract law, but Canada and most Western European countries usually do. However, for US residents, an unpaid bill could affect a credit score.
Mar 22, 2019, 3:46 pm
#446
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Quebec and Ontario, Canada
Programs: AC*E50, SPG/Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,917
I had a two night stay booked at the Marriott at Circular Quay in Sydney last August 31st which I had already checked in for and which was well past the cancellation window. My QF F flight DFW-SYD was delayed 24 hours due to Mechanical. I messaged the property through the APP and explained the situation. They, without issue and without charge, cancelled my first night and changed the reservation to a 1 night stay. When I arrived at 7:30 am the day after my original booking I was checked-in early and upgraded to a Junior Suite with a smile. Fantastic Customer Service.
I am all for the 48 hour check-in. It allows you to comminicate directly with the hotel. I have also been able to confirm suite upgrades before arrival if I haven't already been upgraded prior to check-in. I also advise the hotel again what time I will be arriving when enroute to the hotel so it is fresh in their minds when I get there.
James in Phoenix
I am all for the 48 hour check-in. It allows you to comminicate directly with the hotel. I have also been able to confirm suite upgrades before arrival if I haven't already been upgraded prior to check-in. I also advise the hotel again what time I will be arriving when enroute to the hotel so it is fresh in their minds when I get there.
James in Phoenix
Mar 22, 2019, 3:57 pm
#447
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Quebec and Ontario, Canada
Programs: AC*E50, SPG/Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,917
I am not sure for US resident. I am skeptical that, if you live in Canada, they can recover anything or even affect your credit score if you book using points and no amount was specified in the reservation. Whatever happens, it is probably not as bad as having to reimburse a 10,000$ for a stay you already paid by point. Not that I want to try that. Actually for my next ski trip I am thinking to just book a Residence Inn in the Salt Lake City area which would cost not more than 200$ per night or maybe around 20,000 points - with a 48h cancellation policy - and just drive to Alta / Snowbird / Solitude / Brighton / Deer Valley each morning. At least, you won't end in an over-rated hotel which hates points paying customers and try to rip them off as much as they can.
Mar 22, 2019, 5:42 pm
#448
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 121
I am not sure for US resident. I am skeptical that, if you live in Canada, they can recover anything or even affect your credit score if you book using points and no amount was specified in the reservation. Whatever happens, it is probably not as bad as having to reimburse a 10,000$ for a stay you already paid by point. Not that I want to try that. Actually for my next ski trip I am thinking to just book a Residence Inn in the Salt Lake City area which would cost not more than 200$ per night or maybe around 20,000 points - with a 48h cancellation policy - and just drive to Alta / Snowbird / Solitude / Brighton / Deer Valley each morning. At least, you won't end in an over-rated hotel which hates points paying customers and try to rip them off as much as they can.
Mar 22, 2019, 6:02 pm
#449
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Buffalo, but live from suitcase
Programs: Delta, AA, Marriott
Posts: 240
Regardless, on a flexible hotel reservation with Marriott hotels, it is not typical for a hotel to charge the card (even for verification purposes) before check in. I say this having made hundreds, if not thousands, of hotel reservations. Of course, a prepaid reservation is a different story.
Mar 22, 2019, 8:37 pm
#450
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Albany, NY, USA
Programs: LT Mariott Platinum?, SPG Gold, Hilton Silver, AA Gold, Amtrak Nothing.
Posts: 104
There is a difference between a funds hold and an actual charge, and they represent different transaction codes to the credit card isssuer. The funds hold ensures you have adequate credit for a potential charge and while it does lower your credit availability it is not an actual charge. When a funds hold Is done, it can be followed up by later by an actual charge or removal. It will also automatically be removed if not re posted after a certain number of days.