Avoiding the no-show fee at hotels
#1
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Avoiding the no-show fee at hotels
This strategy can be used to reserve a hotel room/rate and avoid being charged a no-show fee in case you don't show up or cancel the reservation before the free cancellation date limit, for example because you are travelling in "last minute" or unplanned mode.
The technique requires a hotel that doesn't charge your credit card at the time of booking. Use a prepaid or virtual credit card with a low balance (ex: 3$) to make the booking, the low balance is required in case the hotel performs a temporary authorization on the card to verify that it is valid before confirming the reservation.
Now if you don't show up or are unable to cancel the reservation before the free cancellation threshold, the hotel won't be able to actually charge the card due to its low balance.
Has anyone ever resorted to this technique before ?
Unfortunately more and more hotels and booking websites charge the credit card at the time of booking
The technique requires a hotel that doesn't charge your credit card at the time of booking. Use a prepaid or virtual credit card with a low balance (ex: 3$) to make the booking, the low balance is required in case the hotel performs a temporary authorization on the card to verify that it is valid before confirming the reservation.
Now if you don't show up or are unable to cancel the reservation before the free cancellation threshold, the hotel won't be able to actually charge the card due to its low balance.
Has anyone ever resorted to this technique before ?
Unfortunately more and more hotels and booking websites charge the credit card at the time of booking
Last edited by MasterGeek; Oct 3, 2013 at 11:01 am
#2
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And you still owe the bill.
1) Think they'll let you stay there again?
2) They can pursue other means of collecting the money.
1) Think they'll let you stay there again?
2) They can pursue other means of collecting the money.
#3
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#4
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You're serious? Wow.
You will still owe the balance. They'll pursue it.
You will still owe the balance. They'll pursue it.
#5
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Perhaps you could use a stolen credit card instead?
#6
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It's the hotel's fault, they shouldn't place such restrictive terms on us customers. Years ago it was possible to reserve a hotel without providing credit card details, now every business is resorting to taking a hold of our money and charging penalty fees in case of cancellation, why ? They want more and more profits at the expense of consumer's convenience. All airline tickets must be fully refundable!
Last edited by MasterGeek; Oct 3, 2013 at 11:10 am
#7
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It's the hotel's fault, they shouldn't place such restrictive terms on us customers. Years ago it was possible to reserve a hotel without providing credit card details, now every business is resorting to taking a hold of our money and charging penalty fees in case of cancellation, why ? They want more and more profits at consumer's convenience. All airline tickets must be fully refundable!
Airlines and hotels both offer discount airfares with restrictions on cancellations and changes. If all tickets/rooms had to be fully refundable the prices would be much higher.
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#9
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Another option is to never travel. You will NEVER be charged for a no show or changing a reservation.
#10
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Book fully refundable hotel rooms then. If you choose to book a room with a cancellation or no show fee, you are bound by those terms.
Airlines and hotels both offer discount airfares with restrictions on cancellations and changes. If all tickets/rooms had to be fully refundable the prices would be much higher.
Airlines and hotels both offer discount airfares with restrictions on cancellations and changes. If all tickets/rooms had to be fully refundable the prices would be much higher.
#12
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