Booking Hotel under someone else's name/credit card?
Oct 29, 2015, 7:43 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4
Booking Hotel under someone else's name/credit card?
Hi there!Forgive me if this is not the right area - I am new not only to this forum, but to hotels as well!
I am 19 and I do not own a credit card. Debit, yes, but credit - I've decided to just wait on that. For the past few years I've gone into Boston with my friends for a convention, but driving in and out of Boston every day, getting two hours of sleep? Yeah, I'm done with that, So my friend and I decided to book a hotel.
I sent my Uncle our money and in turn he let me use his CC and all to book the hotel - it's already paid and everything.
But now I'm worried. This is my first time having a hotel by myself. I was wondering when I get there at check-in, will there be any issues with the Hotel since I, obviously, am not my Uncle? As I said it's already paid for, but how will I let them know that it's for me? I did give the hotel a call and they mentioned something about calling a few days prior and faxing him a CC Authorization - but he doesn't have a fax machine!However, the hotel DOES have his email, so could they possibly email it to him...?
I am having such bad anxiety over this. What's the worst case scenario? Would they turn me away and let a hotel (and my friend and I's money) go to waste? I did research online saying that it was FINE to use a Credit Card under someone elses' name, but I really still need the reassurance.
Perhaps if he calls a few days prior and changes the name under the hotel to mine, that would be better? I mean, I DO have a Debit Card as well as a license, but I do not have his card and whatnot. One more time, yes, the hotel has already been paid for.
Thank you so much!
I am 19 and I do not own a credit card. Debit, yes, but credit - I've decided to just wait on that. For the past few years I've gone into Boston with my friends for a convention, but driving in and out of Boston every day, getting two hours of sleep? Yeah, I'm done with that, So my friend and I decided to book a hotel.
I sent my Uncle our money and in turn he let me use his CC and all to book the hotel - it's already paid and everything.
But now I'm worried. This is my first time having a hotel by myself. I was wondering when I get there at check-in, will there be any issues with the Hotel since I, obviously, am not my Uncle? As I said it's already paid for, but how will I let them know that it's for me? I did give the hotel a call and they mentioned something about calling a few days prior and faxing him a CC Authorization - but he doesn't have a fax machine!However, the hotel DOES have his email, so could they possibly email it to him...?
I am having such bad anxiety over this. What's the worst case scenario? Would they turn me away and let a hotel (and my friend and I's money) go to waste? I did research online saying that it was FINE to use a Credit Card under someone elses' name, but I really still need the reassurance.
Perhaps if he calls a few days prior and changes the name under the hotel to mine, that would be better? I mean, I DO have a Debit Card as well as a license, but I do not have his card and whatnot. One more time, yes, the hotel has already been paid for.
Thank you so much!
Oct 29, 2015, 8:13 pm
#2
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Welcome to FlyerTalk.
Good thing you're thinking ahead. I've seen these things go sour - I booked my nephew's fiancée a room at a hotel near JFK, I called in advance and they denied her the room (charged me anyway initially).
Your guarantor could have added the name of a second person on many hotel websites, and included a note. He should tell the hotel and preferably get a confirming email - whether he calls or finds an email to write.
Which hotel? One of our members with experience at that property might be able to chime in.
Good thing you're thinking ahead. I've seen these things go sour - I booked my nephew's fiancée a room at a hotel near JFK, I called in advance and they denied her the room (charged me anyway initially).
Your guarantor could have added the name of a second person on many hotel websites, and included a note. He should tell the hotel and preferably get a confirming email - whether he calls or finds an email to write.
Which hotel? One of our members with experience at that property might be able to chime in.
Oct 29, 2015, 8:25 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4
Welcome to FlyerTalk.
Good thing you're thinking ahead. I've seen these things go sour - I booked my nephew's fiancée a room at a hotel near JFK, I called in advance and they denied her the room (charged me anyway initially).
Your guarantor could have added the name of a second person on many hotel websites, and included a note. He should tell the hotel and preferably get a confirming email - whether he calls or finds an email to write.
Which hotel? One of our members with experience at that property might be able to chime in.
Good thing you're thinking ahead. I've seen these things go sour - I booked my nephew's fiancée a room at a hotel near JFK, I called in advance and they denied her the room (charged me anyway initially).
Your guarantor could have added the name of a second person on many hotel websites, and included a note. He should tell the hotel and preferably get a confirming email - whether he calls or finds an email to write.
Which hotel? One of our members with experience at that property might be able to chime in.
Luckily we're not going until March, 2016, so I have a while to change things. And the hotel is the Marriott!
Oct 29, 2015, 11:42 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Portland
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 391
(I've done this several times and never had a problem as such.)
Oct 30, 2015, 3:53 am
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Welcome to FT, Pearl13!
This is pretty standard, I have to say. I've booked rooms for friends on my card, and on more than one occasion booked a room for my wife when it was just easier for me to do it even though she could have used her identical credit card. Just have your uncle call the hotel to tell them that you'll be the occupant, not him, and this should be noted on the booking. If you're really paranoid, have that confirmation sent to your uncle which he can then give you you. But in short, don't worry.
This is pretty standard, I have to say. I've booked rooms for friends on my card, and on more than one occasion booked a room for my wife when it was just easier for me to do it even though she could have used her identical credit card. Just have your uncle call the hotel to tell them that you'll be the occupant, not him, and this should be noted on the booking. If you're really paranoid, have that confirmation sent to your uncle which he can then give you you. But in short, don't worry.
Oct 30, 2015, 5:57 am
#6
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: 100,371
However, will the hotel let the OP check in without presentation of his/her own credit card upon arrival, for additional charges to the room and as a guarantee against damage? Most USA hotels require presentation of a credit or debit card at check in, even if the room itself has been prepaid with some credit card. This is especially true of chain hotels.
Oct 30, 2015, 5:59 am
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
She has a debit card. I'm sure they can put an authorisation for $50 on it.
Oct 30, 2015, 6:08 am
#8
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: 100,371
Oct 30, 2015, 6:59 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
True, some hotels might be funny that way. I never pay anything significant with a debit card, so I can't say, but many hotels, like car rental companies, require a credit card on file. Maybe uncle will have to authorise a further security deposit. But I think we are in tempest/teacup land here.
Oct 30, 2015, 1:56 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,859
Oct 30, 2015, 2:43 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Oct 30, 2015, 2:48 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
Many hotels require that someone be 21 years old to check in. This could be a problem.
Oct 30, 2015, 3:09 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 599
I've done this several times for my aunt who does not have a credit card.
First, make sure that your uncle makes the booking in your name. He can pay with his card, but when the booking page asks for the traveller page, give your name.
Next, the day of arrival (or 1-2 days before that), your uncle would either have to call the hotel himself proactively and provide his credit card details (through scanned email or fax) - or the hotel would probably keep some cash amount/hold on your debit card.
Overall, its not a huge hassle as long as the reservation is in your name
First, make sure that your uncle makes the booking in your name. He can pay with his card, but when the booking page asks for the traveller page, give your name.
Next, the day of arrival (or 1-2 days before that), your uncle would either have to call the hotel himself proactively and provide his credit card details (through scanned email or fax) - or the hotel would probably keep some cash amount/hold on your debit card.
Overall, its not a huge hassle as long as the reservation is in your name
Oct 31, 2015, 10:19 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4
It's complicated, but basically it was just a payment issue that I didn't think through. It's my first time doing this and I got many different answers from people - I tried making things easier but now I'm only more confused.
I just need reassurance that there won't be any problems when I go for check-in, but I will have my uncle call about a month prior (is that too long?) to add my name on the registration. None of the adults around me knew what they were doing and neither did I, so I just put all of his information down.
I know I should have asked first but we were nearing the deadline and my friend and I are both very busy with work and school
I've done this several times for my aunt who does not have a credit card.
First, make sure that your uncle makes the booking in your name. He can pay with his card, but when the booking page asks for the traveller page, give your name.
Next, the day of arrival (or 1-2 days before that), your uncle would either have to call the hotel himself proactively and provide his credit card details (through scanned email or fax) - or the hotel would probably keep some cash amount/hold on your debit card.
Overall, its not a huge hassle as long as the reservation is in your name
First, make sure that your uncle makes the booking in your name. He can pay with his card, but when the booking page asks for the traveller page, give your name.
Next, the day of arrival (or 1-2 days before that), your uncle would either have to call the hotel himself proactively and provide his credit card details (through scanned email or fax) - or the hotel would probably keep some cash amount/hold on your debit card.
Overall, its not a huge hassle as long as the reservation is in your name
My friend and I are very respectful and responsible, there's no chance we'd break anything in the hotel...
Thank you all so much for your replies! I really appreciate it (honestly, I wasn't expecting a single reply when I first posted here!)
Oct 31, 2015, 12:46 pm
#15
Moderator: Hilton Honors, Practical Travel Safety Issues & San Francisco
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: San Francisco CA
Programs: UA, Hilton, Priceline, AirBnB
Posts: 11,001
a couple of things
Why wait to have your name added? DO it now and have him double check the couple of weeks before? and have his phone handy when you check in?
Also double check if you will be able to check in if under 21 - that might be a stumbling block.
In addition, every hotel is different re debit cards. They usually charge a set amount per night f the stay and that can range form $50 to $200 per NIGHT. It also may not get dropped off your card for a few days AFTER the stay.
Any chance your uncle would be willing to make you a signer on his card for this trip and get you a credit card?
I just need reassurance that there won't be any problems when I go for check-in, but I will have my uncle call about a month prior (is that too long?) to add my name on the registration. None of the adults around me knew what they were doing and neither did I, so I just put all of his information down.
Unfortunately the reservation is not in my name, but if I ask my uncle to call perhaps he could have it changed for me? Also, could you explain what a hold on my debit card would be? Or maybe ballpark the amount? I don't mind it much since I most likely won't be using my card that weekend anyways (bringing cash, use card as a backup/safety net), I just want to make sure they wouldn't charge me a crazy amount for nothing when the hotel fees have already been paid.
My friend and I are very respectful and responsible, there's no chance we'd break anything in the hotel...
Thank you all so much for your replies! I really appreciate it (honestly, I wasn't expecting a single reply when I first posted here!)
Also double check if you will be able to check in if under 21 - that might be a stumbling block.
In addition, every hotel is different re debit cards. They usually charge a set amount per night f the stay and that can range form $50 to $200 per NIGHT. It also may not get dropped off your card for a few days AFTER the stay.
Any chance your uncle would be willing to make you a signer on his card for this trip and get you a credit card?
I just need reassurance that there won't be any problems when I go for check-in, but I will have my uncle call about a month prior (is that too long?) to add my name on the registration. None of the adults around me knew what they were doing and neither did I, so I just put all of his information down.
Unfortunately the reservation is not in my name, but if I ask my uncle to call perhaps he could have it changed for me? Also, could you explain what a hold on my debit card would be? Or maybe ballpark the amount? I don't mind it much since I most likely won't be using my card that weekend anyways (bringing cash, use card as a backup/safety net), I just want to make sure they wouldn't charge me a crazy amount for nothing when the hotel fees have already been paid.
My friend and I are very respectful and responsible, there's no chance we'd break anything in the hotel...
Thank you all so much for your replies! I really appreciate it (honestly, I wasn't expecting a single reply when I first posted here!)