Credit card Prepayment required for Rewards stay?
Aug 20, 2017, 5:53 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: Marriott LTT, Amtrak Select, Hertz 5*, AA Gold, IHG Plat, National Exec
Posts: 1,312
Credit card Prepayment required for Rewards stay?
This shows up when attempting to book the Residence Inn Bethany Beach on points this morning:
"We will need a credit card prepayment to reserve your room.
To ensure that you receive this special rate, we will charge your credit card a prepayment of 299.70 USD when you make your reservation."
I have never ever been charged real $ in advance to make a rewards reservation. What is this for and where does this money go? More importantly, when/how do I get it back? The rate details make absolutely no mention of this. Has anyone else encountered this type of charge before?
"We will need a credit card prepayment to reserve your room.
To ensure that you receive this special rate, we will charge your credit card a prepayment of 299.70 USD when you make your reservation."
I have never ever been charged real $ in advance to make a rewards reservation. What is this for and where does this money go? More importantly, when/how do I get it back? The rate details make absolutely no mention of this. Has anyone else encountered this type of charge before?
Aug 20, 2017, 8:26 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,614
Why don't you call the property and ask about the refund policy?
Aug 20, 2017, 9:18 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: Marriott LTT, Amtrak Select, Hertz 5*, AA Gold, IHG Plat, National Exec
Posts: 1,312
I called the Plat reservation line, they had no idea, so they in turned called the property. Property indicated that it was an error in the rate rules, no deposit required. I got names of the individual I spoke with as well as the rep at the property; hopefully there won't be any issues.
Aug 20, 2017, 9:20 am
#4
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: 100,368
Be sure to check that your credit card hasn't been automatically charged.
Aug 20, 2017, 9:29 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: Marriott LTT, Amtrak Select, Hertz 5*, AA Gold, IHG Plat, National Exec
Posts: 1,312
Aug 20, 2017, 11:24 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
Sounds like the wrong policy statement got attached to the points rate. I pulled up a random date in December and I didn't see that message. I get:
"Using your points will cover your room charge and tax. Additional service charges and resort fees will be applied where applicable."
Perhaps someone already made the change to the rate, which would be impressive as it's a Sunday. Sounds as if this was a simple human error that got fixed.
"Using your points will cover your room charge and tax. Additional service charges and resort fees will be applied where applicable."
Perhaps someone already made the change to the rate, which would be impressive as it's a Sunday. Sounds as if this was a simple human error that got fixed.
Aug 21, 2017, 8:14 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: AA Plat Pro, United Silver, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,118
I got the same message at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua, months ago, but was never charged the prepayment.
Aug 21, 2017, 10:50 am
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Glitches happen all the time.
See something odd? Call the property, confirm it's not the case, get the name and email of the individual, thank them for putting your mind at easy, and send a nice email confirming. Toss a printout of the email in your travel file and it's over.
See something odd? Call the property, confirm it's not the case, get the name and email of the individual, thank them for putting your mind at easy, and send a nice email confirming. Toss a printout of the email in your travel file and it's over.
Aug 21, 2017, 4:24 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Prepayments can happen at any time. Sometimes as soon as the rez is booked, most frequent has been a day or two before stay. Good idea to keep track of the account used to book and decide if it's worth the fight to get it back before the stay.
