dimndgal1
One little spark...
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2010
Really? It is pretty much standard practice when I stay in hotels (Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton, Hampton, etc.) unless I've booked a special pre-pay rate.
You cannot "forgot" to stop by the desk - you don't have to stop by the desk. They swipe your credit card at check in, but don't charge it until you leave.
Generally, I check the invoice (often under my door the last morning, though the Sheraton tends to email it to me) and, if all is well, leave the key in the room and never hit the front desk. My credit card is charged that day.
This is the same thing Disney does for Room only - they take the first night as the deposit (usually within whatever window cancellation was), and they will have you pay cash up front or put a credit card down. If you put a CC, they may 'ping' the card to ensure enough open credit, but they do not charge until you check out (save for the occasional fluke).
I have stayed Room only at Disney and at Hiltons, Marriots, and Motel 6s and they all have done the same style. Esp when there is a one night deposit required. None have charged me until checkout, including Disney, save for that initial night stay. I have made the mistake of using a debit card as my CC, which can often 'tie up' the money, but the charge itself won't go through until checkout.