Marriott: Hold on credit card from check-in???
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - DCA
Programs: BA Gold, American Airlines, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 5,075
Marriott: Hold on credit card from check-in???
I understand it is common practice for a hotel to put a hold on the credit card you use at check-in to cover estimated expenses.
We checked into the Marriott BRU last Fri (4/25) for two nights. At check-out (4/27) we gave them a different card to cover the expenses for our stay. That card has been charged the appropriate amount for the stay. It's now 4/30 and the card we used for check-in still has a "hold" for about 150% of the amount of our stay. It's a "hold" and not a cleared charge posted to the account.
How long does this hold stick around??? Should I be concerned and contact the hotel via email for a correction???
Thanks!
We checked into the Marriott BRU last Fri (4/25) for two nights. At check-out (4/27) we gave them a different card to cover the expenses for our stay. That card has been charged the appropriate amount for the stay. It's now 4/30 and the card we used for check-in still has a "hold" for about 150% of the amount of our stay. It's a "hold" and not a cleared charge posted to the account.
How long does this hold stick around??? Should I be concerned and contact the hotel via email for a correction???
Thanks!
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LAX, SFO
Programs: Delta GM, Lifetime Marriott Platinum, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,634
I understand it is common practice for a hotel to put a hold on the credit card you use at check-in to cover estimated expenses.
We checked into the Marriott BRU last Fri (4/25) for two nights. At check-out (4/27) we gave them a different card to cover the expenses for our stay. That card has been charged the appropriate amount for the stay. It's now 4/30 and the card we used for check-in still has a "hold" for about 150% of the amount of our stay. It's a "hold" and not a cleared charge posted to the account.
How long does this hold stick around??? Should I be concerned and contact the hotel via email for a correction???
Thanks!
We checked into the Marriott BRU last Fri (4/25) for two nights. At check-out (4/27) we gave them a different card to cover the expenses for our stay. That card has been charged the appropriate amount for the stay. It's now 4/30 and the card we used for check-in still has a "hold" for about 150% of the amount of our stay. It's a "hold" and not a cleared charge posted to the account.
How long does this hold stick around??? Should I be concerned and contact the hotel via email for a correction???
Thanks!
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,113
The holds can really be a pain (as I've also discovered unpleasantly at times), but I 'think' the length of the hold is dependent on the bank. Not sure. I've found that for international stays, the hold seems to be on the card for about 7 days. Domestic ranges from 3-7. OVMV.
Cheers.
Cheers.
#4
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Charleston, SC
Programs: UA 1P, CO Plat, MR Plat, SPG Plat, US Dirt
Posts: 1,506
This topic has always been a sour point for me. I travel on trips that usually last 3 or 4 weeks and are continuous and hotel changes along with city changes are frequent. Right now, I am in the same boat with the Richmond Marriott West. They authorized $200 above the room charges which caused my card to decline. I said that was impossible and sure enough, hotel holds are not dropping as fast as they were. I had the front desk agent manually post the total charges (with taxes) and then I had her include internet charges to post. S he did so and the card worked fine. Anyway, I am still dealing with an extra $150 they authorized that is still sitting on my card as a hold 7 days after I checked out. A call to the accounting department yielded no return call and my credit card issuer can't do anything about it. I never utilize hotel extras except for internet so it really kills me that they do this to an exorbetent amount. I understand incidental charges, I really do, but the amounts need to be put on the checkout page when making a reservation so a customer can plan and expect for these types of things to occur.
#5
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Houston
Programs: CO Plat; Marriott Silver; Hilton Gold
Posts: 623
I have one card that I use only for hotel and rental car charges. There's plenty of room on it, so holds are not an issue. I keep checking my account until the hold is removed - which, as previous poster said, is usually 3 to 5 business days.
My trips though are only a few days in length, and I would probably not be as docile about it if it were several weeks' duration.
Any other travel expenses such as restaurants, shopping, etc. go on a different card so there is not the issue of credit line being blocked.
My trips though are only a few days in length, and I would probably not be as docile about it if it were several weeks' duration.
Any other travel expenses such as restaurants, shopping, etc. go on a different card so there is not the issue of credit line being blocked.
#6
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: HKG
Programs: Marriott Ambassador (Titanium Lifetime), BA Gold, Ex-Hertz 5* PC, Ex-HH Diamond, Ex-BD*G
Posts: 3,062
I think in the UK they do a standard £50 per night, most big hotel chains seem to use that as their default.
Put it this way, in my own view as a frequent traveller - don't ever check-in/out of hotels regularly without a big credit limit, or a backup card for the authorisations. It can be an advantage in using a corporate card (particularly for the check-in part when they take the cash).
Put it this way, in my own view as a frequent traveller - don't ever check-in/out of hotels regularly without a big credit limit, or a backup card for the authorisations. It can be an advantage in using a corporate card (particularly for the check-in part when they take the cash).
#7
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: Free checked in bag on UA & DL. Free icecream at Marriott checkin.
Posts: 2,862
I have never checked to see if there is a hold from rental car or hotels. I travel every week and they do not even give me the spiel of there will be a hold on my credit card anymore. Maybe it is because I never hit the limit on the CC. I spend more time on matching receipts to ensure that there are no "surprise" charges.
#8
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central California
Programs: AA-LEP,United-1K Again!, USAIR-CHRMN, MW Plat Prem, SW-Gold, Hilton-Silver, Hertz-Platnium
Posts: 381
Every year I put together a trip to Tequila. We start and end at the Hilton in GDL. This year, when checking in, as always, I paid for all the rooms on my card but the incidentials are paid by each room occupant with their own cards. So, basically, they should have authorized for 20 rooms, plus an amount for my incidentals. He ran it and asked me to sign it. I refused. He ran it for 2000 more than the total. I made the manager call Merchant Services and reverse the authorization.
#9
formerly jasperjugan
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: DL SkyMiles Gold Medallion, Marriott Rewards Gold Elite, A|Club Gold, PR Mabuhay Miles Base Member
Posts: 266
i had the same experience but this time i was using the same credit card. i had to call marriott and had it removed since it has been a week and the hold is still there on my card. what's funny is that they had hold the same amount as the one they charged me when i checked out so it's like double charging.
#10
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: NYNY
Programs: Marriott Ambassador & LT Titanium, UA Silver, AA PLT
Posts: 842
I recently stayed at the Brussels Marriott (awesome property/location, btw) and I don't remember getting any hold for additional money.
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
Tis the reason I use my AX to check in; and whatever card I want to pay for to check out. This has to be the biggest PITA there is
#12
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: SPG Plat,MR Plat Spire Plat/IC Amb, Choice Plat, BW Plat
Posts: 1,320
Card Issues
Bad news is most hotels are slow to pull the hold off & worse....not just Marriott has problems.
FYI....Last year I booked a room for myself and 3 clients for a weeks stay. Hotel said only a hold until the 3 clients check-in then it goes on their cards. Well... after we checked out and moved to the next town I was out that evening with them + guests for an expensive supper and was the host so paying....card declined @#$%. Figured I was hacked or something so paid cash....since the Northeast Blackout of 2003 I travel with as much cash as I can just in case and it paid off once again !
Found out later the Hotel had somehow kept my card active for the clients whole stay + holds and ran me over. Sorted out next day but unwarranted stress in a social setting with clients.
FYI....Last year I booked a room for myself and 3 clients for a weeks stay. Hotel said only a hold until the 3 clients check-in then it goes on their cards. Well... after we checked out and moved to the next town I was out that evening with them + guests for an expensive supper and was the host so paying....card declined @#$%. Figured I was hacked or something so paid cash....since the Northeast Blackout of 2003 I travel with as much cash as I can just in case and it paid off once again !
Found out later the Hotel had somehow kept my card active for the clients whole stay + holds and ran me over. Sorted out next day but unwarranted stress in a social setting with clients.
#13
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PDX
Programs: UA, DL, OZ, HH/S, MR, PC, SPG, A-Club
Posts: 151
You guys are either using a debit card (which is a joke given Reg E) or your CC have low limits or you are close to max out your cards
Never had a problem with hotels or car rentals holding even if they put a hold for weeks since I doubt they put a hold of several thousand dollars.
thanks for the idea of 2 CCs: 1 for incidentals and another to pay for the stay...
Never had a problem with hotels or car rentals holding even if they put a hold for weeks since I doubt they put a hold of several thousand dollars.
thanks for the idea of 2 CCs: 1 for incidentals and another to pay for the stay...
#14
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: Free checked in bag on UA & DL. Free icecream at Marriott checkin.
Posts: 2,862
The only time I had trouble was with a Marriott in SLC. I had used my Marriott Gift card to pay for the night. They put a hold on it which they never released. Finally after 3 weeks, I got the Gift Card line to release the hold.
Since then I pay with my CC and when I check out I show them my gift card to charge the stay to.
Since then I pay with my CC and when I check out I show them my gift card to charge the stay to.
#15
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: SPG Plat,MR Plat Spire Plat/IC Amb, Choice Plat, BW Plat
Posts: 1,320
Regardless of limits its no excuse for sloppy admin at hotels. I'll pay my share due but I get really annoyed when another business holds a penny unneccessarily or overcharges. From an Entrepreneurs perspective it wouldn't be the first time a couple of grand pushed you over the limit...and probably why FT gets so many hits with folks stretching dollars any way they can...thats why I'm here on a Sunday. Thanks again FT & IHG for assisting my self-financed Stimulus Plan as I'm saving _ _ (left intentionally blank) road nights on points I earned last year and leaving $$ money in the bank !!