Cash, debit card or check for balance??

[Steve Hurley]

Never had this problem before as we always used to charge our rooms. Will the POP take a debit card or check at check in or would it be better to pay cash for our balance?

 

[tar heel]

They'll certainly take debit card, which I've used, and cash. I would be shocked if they won't take a check, too.

 

[LibertyBelle]

They will take checks too.

A personal check needs a Driver License to go along with it, they have a check approval phone number that they will call the check into, as long as it is approved you can use it.

 

[disneyagain]

We used a Debit one time (not at WDW) when we got the bill at check-out they charged us the wrong rate (too much!)..We questioned it and yes it was wrong, so they then charged us the correct amount.

The check out receipt showed the charge the credit and the new charge. What we didn't know is that the accounting office actually takes care of the "credit"...Well it was a Friday night of a holiday weekend, the accounting staff wasn't going to be in until Tuesday...So our Debit card was hit 2x for one stay....Luckily we were on our way home and had no plans to use the Debit card for any other purchases etc....

We now charge the room and pay it when we get home. I've also heard of hotels that "hold" $$. Example: if you have charging priviledges on your room key, they may hold extra to cover that...I'd hate to have money held on my "Debit" that I don't plan on using.

 

[LibertyBelle]

I've also heard of hotels that "hold" $$. Example: if you have charging priviledges on your room key, they may hold extra to cover that...I'd hate to have money held on my "Debit" that I don't plan on using.

Disney doesn't hold anything on your card... They just get authorization for $1 to make sure the card is valid (not stolen or reported lost). Just FYI

But I have to agree with you on the other part. I would not use a debit card unless it is all you have... for the exact reason as disneyagain posted. If soemthing is charged wrong it can screw up your checking account.

 

[micmacmissy]

Does this mean you can't use a regular Mastercard/Visa to pay your room balance? Is this the policy?

 

[nygrl]

we used a debit/credit card last month we gave it to them at check in . a few days later we checked our bank account on line and it said we had a 0 balance i called the bank to see what was up and they said the hotel had charged us twice over 1800 dollars TWICE.we got the money released and everything turned out ok but just a note if using a debit card if we had not checked our balance and a check that i wrote had come through it would have bounced .the woman at my bank told us never to use debit cards for hotels or rental cars because in many cases they hold more money then you know about until your stay is over or you return the car. so just be careful if using a debit card

 

[LibertyBelle]

Does this mean you can't use a regular Mastercard/Visa to pay your room balance? Is this the policy?

You can use Visa, Amx, Mas, Discover, Diners, Disney Credit Card... any of them for the room account. You can also use, a debit card (with a vis/mas logo on it), cash, travelers checks or personal checks...

 

[micmacmissy]

Ohhhh....the original post made it sound like you could no longer use a charge card--i was thinking, that's insane! EVERYONE takes a credit card! (Now I feel dumb for even asking--sorry!)

We will not use our debit card there--doesn't sound like the best idea.

 

[bobcat]

I've used a debit card for over 5 trips to WDW and never once had a problem.Like LibertyBelle said they only check to see if it is a valid card. I feel a lot safer using my debit to gaurantee my room charging then whipping out my debit card everytime I want to make a purchase.

 

[Nolcrest]

Just to clarifiy for those that are uncertain. A debit card is not a credit card. A credit card is used against a line of credit - a loan. A debit card is used against your account that already has those funds in it. That's why you need to let establishments know (usually) if it is a debit or credit. They are processed differently. I hope this makes sense.

Once I used a card as a debit thinking it was a credit and it wiped out my account (luckily I had over draft protection). I meant for it to go against my line of credit that I was going to pay off when the bill came in. (Not at Disney)

I just saw a news segmaent recently that recommended people don't use their debit cards. I guess it is harder to get your money back when there is an error. Whereas if a credit card is used and the balance is "challenged" you are not responsible for that amount while in dispute.

Based on this info, I'd rather pay with a credit card and pay it off once I received the bill rather than have my savings/checking account debited and not knowing if it was done correctly.

So, in response to the poster's question, I've used cash and credit card and I believe a long time ago I even wrote a check.

 

[ILuvWDWorld]

My dad wrote a check for his last stay with us at AKL. He had a difficult time though. The CM was kinda new and wasn't really sure how to handle a check. I always use a credit card that earns points. I don't think I would use my debit card. That just makes me a little nervous since it's my checking account and it is supposedly more difficult to get the money back if there is a problem.

 

[LibertyBelle]

My dad wrote a check for his last stay with us at AKL. He had a difficult time though. The CM was kinda new and wasn't really sure how to handle a check.

You bring up a very good point that still eludes me... I have worked in resorts for a while 3 years Beach Club, 1 Year Wilderness Lodge and currently Old Key West and I am still amazed at how many of my fellow CM's look at a personal check and have no idea what to do with it... I'm sorry that your dad had some issues with it as it quite honestly is easy to do, provided you know where the authorization information is.