Debit card "holds" at check-in?

[MBW]

We'll be checking in on Sunday at VWL, and although we've fully paid for our room, I'd like to be able to use our room keys to charge during the week, so as to avoid dragging our wallets around (and risk losing them.)

I know that the deluxes have a $1500 charge limit. Will our debit card automatically have a hold for that amount? Our checking and savings are tied, but I'd need to let my bank know, so they don't think it's a fraudlent charge and put a hold on my account (BoA - they did this once, on a Sunday, and I couldn't get it resolved until business opened on Monday.)

Also, can we buy our MYW tickets at the hotel and have them put on our room key?

 

[Tissa]

They don't put a hold on your card, when you reach your charging limit then they charge your card.

 

[Contemporary_Man]

Most Debit/Check cards have a daily limit on them. You may want to check with your bank. I found out mine was $1,000 a couple of years ago when Disney attempted to charge card when I hit the $1,500 limit. The charge was declined and I couldn't figure out why until I called my bank. If your daily is lower than the Disney room charge capabilities, bring a credit card just in case or make sure you have them charge your card before you reach that limit.

 

[MBW]

Most Debit/Check cards have a daily limit on them. You may want to check with your bank. I found out mine was $1,000 a couple of years ago when Disney attempted to charge card when I hit the $1,500 limit. The charge was declined and I couldn't figure out why until I called my bank. If your daily is lower than the Disney room charge capabilities, bring a credit card just in case or make sure you have them charge your card before you reach that limit.

Thanks for the info. I know our's is at least $2000 (probably $3000) as I had it increased a few years ago when we were doing home renovations and had big purchases.

But if BoA thinks I'm in Pittsburgh, then sees me making large charges in Florida, they might get jumpy. As I said, they've done it before.

Anyone know about purchasing tickets at the resorts upon check in?

 

[Tinkaroo]

Thanks for the info. I know our's is at least $2000 (probably $3000) as I had it increased a few years ago when we were doing home renovations and had big purchases.

But if BoA thinks I'm in Pittsburgh, then sees me making large charges in Florida, they might get jumpy. As I said, they've done it before.

Anyone know about purchasing tickets at the resorts upon check in?

Yes, you can purchase tickets upon check-in, and have them added to your room keys.

 

[kisertn]

After seeing this thread I was reminded that I had intended to call my bank (Chase/Bank One) and understand the limits on my card. I called and it is $3,000 in my case, but I learned two things that might apply for you. First, they can raise the limit on a temporary basis. Chase is there 7x24 to do this, but the limit increase only lasts a day. Secondly, they directed me to the ATM Debit Card Fraud department who recorded the fact that I would be in Orlando from xx date through xx date, so that their fraud detectors would not be set off by large purchases being made out of state.

It may be that your bank has similar capabilities.

 

[grimley1968]

Secondly, they directed me to the ATM Debit Card Fraud department who recorded the fact that I would be in Orlando from xx date through xx date, so that their fraud detectors would not be set off by large purchases being made out of state.

It may be that your bank has similar capabilities.

Mine sure doesn't have that capability. That's awesome. My bank has certain fraud detection capabilities, but no way they could filter out pre-known trips like that.

I tried to use my debit card a few years ago for the room-charging, and the bill came due and it was around $900, but the daily limit on my card then was $300, even though I had more than enough to cover the $900 bill! I felt like a fool, but the front desk was great with me. Instead of making me use my credit card, they simply split the charged amount into 3 daily charges (I was still at the Poly during all 3 days, so it's not like they couldn't locate me if my card failed again), and it went through fine after that. Of course, this was about 5 years ago, so I don't know if they'd still be as lenient as they were with me.

 

[Cinders Mum]

we always have to advise our card provider of our dates of travel where the cards will probably be used and if we are routing through any other US city in case of fraudulent activity. it is a great idea and it really helps as I tend to only use these cards on holiday so they would flag up as excessive use ...

Val
xx

 

[CleveRocks]

When you check in and they ask you if you if you want to use your crdit card or debit card to "back up" charges made to your room, you don't have to set it up for the limit. The limit at CBR is $1,000. I asked to have mine set up for $500, NO PROBLEM! So if you're concerned about $1,500 being too much, you don't have to authorize that much.

With my wife and me and 2 pre-schoolers, our $500 lasted us from Sunday morning until some time Friday afternoon. We ate only on-site, paid very little cash for things. Except for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue (which was prepaid) and one character dinner at Crystal Palace, all of our meals were counter service. [I should also add that I was the lucky recipient of 5 counter service meal vouchers from a kind and generous Board poster, who sent them to me in the mail before my trip!]. Since we were leaving Saturday, I didn't bother going back to the front desk and authorizing more on my room charge.

Since I wasn't much interested in record keeping during our vacation, this relatively low limit let me know how much we were spending, if you know what I mean. And speaking of record keeping, it was so much easier to write into the ledger a $500 debit at WDW rather than 47 different debits for a $4.95 Woozle, a $2.50 plate of fries, etc.

 

[lillygator]

there is no hold placed on the debit card....

 

[SarahKate]

Wow, this is really weird, there's so much variation!

When we checked in at Pop on 2/9, I gave them our debit card that was used for our "keys to the kindgom" card that we used to eat w/ the dining plan, make purchases, open the room, etc.

The CM told me that the key had a $500 limit for purchases. On about the 4th day we tried to use it and the cashier told us that we had reached our limit. It was up to $491, but our purchase would have put it over. So I used my DEBIT card, which is what the key was charging to.

All I did was call the front desk at Pop and asked them to bump me back up another $500, which they graciously (of course!) did.

The $491 was charged to our checking account in one lump sum, as was the rest of our purchases on the room key.

I am not sure what Chase limits us to on a daily basis - I just know that we get a warning if there is ONE transaction that's $200 or more.

The really good thing about WDW for us is that there are CHASE ATM's all over the parks, resorts, etc. So it was great to be able to grab a $20 here and there or check our balance. Because I charged everything to the room key, I really didn't have to carry any money!

 

[kisertn]

Wow, this is really weird, there's so much variation!

...

I am not sure what Chase limits us to on a daily basis - I just know that we get a warning if there is ONE transaction that's $200 or more.

BTW, there is a difference between ATM and point-of-purchase transactions at Chase. For Chase, the daily maximum ATM withdrawal is $500. Point-of-purchase is $3,000. Now, I know this to be true for my account, but it may not be universal for all customers or all types of accounts.

However, in your case it would appear that these are point-of-purchase transactions. When you say that you get a warning if it is greater than $200, what form does the warning take? I'm thinking you are referring to the alerts that we can send to notify you. If so, that's just informational for your purposes, not a 'warning' exactly. (it becomes a warning if you realize you didn't charge that $200+ item! LOL).

Chase has algorithms that analyze average daily balances (basically it knows what "normal" looks like on an account by account basis and exceptions to the normal withdrawal/purchase patterns set off alarms. But that is why I called and let them know that 'exceptionally-sized' purchases would be made by me out of state.

Full-disclosure: In case it's not obvious, I work for Chase. However, I am not involved in retail operations anymore nor do I have an employee account that gives me "special" limits.

 

[keishashadow]

I verified this info in December (same as prior years) when I was a victim of CC fraud during vacation:

If you want charging privledges on your room key, WDW resorts will run your card through for an authorization of $600. This doesn't mean that they charge your CC $600, just that they obtain a hold. If you use all of the $600, you'll be alerted (the cashier will hand you the phone & have you speak to the resort guest to authorize another $600 hold).

Always a good idea to call your CC company when your spending patterns will be out of the ordinary (i.e. away from home, large purchases etc.).

We were glad that our CC company caught fraud in the making during our last vacation when we left WDW for a DCL cruise...as soon as we left the terminal, a large purchase attempt was made in Spain but, they denied it. Their explanation was that they deny a suspicious charge, figuring the customer will call them if it's declined.

WDW used to take cash deposits @ the resort desk in lieu of CC's.

 

[Contemporary_Man]

Thanks for the info. I know our's is at least $2000

No problem. I just didn't want anyone to be as confused, and down right embarrassed, as I was. From the posts, it seems that every bank is different. It was also a nice tip to tell the bank in advance that you would be on a trip. It seems is important for us all to check with our banks and understand our accounts.

 

[jtlover]

I was worried about this too - I came back last week!

Like already said they only charge when you reach the limit. I actually gave them a card at check in that I did not want them to charge to my room and then when we departed I charged it to another card. Be warned though if you go for express check out they tend to charge the card early morning of your departure, so if you dont want them to charge I would suggest paying the night before or advise them that you dont want express check out.

I really liked the charging to the room as it allows you check periodically what you have spent and also it is in one lump when you pay.

 

[swkmom]

Do you "have" to let the resort link a cc or check card to your room keys? Or can you choose not to? I understand they may need one for incidentals and charge a certain amount initially, but I am not sure I would want to use my room key for buying stuff.

 

[Contemporary_Man]

Do you "have" to let the resort link a cc or check card to your room keys? Or can you choose not to? I understand they may need one for incidentals and charge a certain amount initially, but I am not sure I would want to use my room key for buying stuff.

No, you are not forced to link a credit card to your room key. At check-in, they will ask if you would do so. You can choose to not do it all or you can give certain members of the party charge rights.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

BTW, there is a difference between ATM and point-of-purchase transactions at Chase. For Chase, the daily maximum ATM withdrawal is $500. Point-of-purchase is $3,000. Now, I know this to be true for my account, but it may not be universal for all customers or all types of accounts.

However, in your case it would appear that these are point-of-purchase transactions. When you say that you get a warning if it is greater than $200, what form does the warning take? I'm thinking you are referring to the alerts that we can send to notify you. If so, that's just informational for your purposes, not a 'warning' exactly. (it becomes a warning if you realize you didn't charge that $200+ item! LOL).

Chase has algorithms that analyze average daily balances (basically it knows what "normal" looks like on an account by account basis and exceptions to the normal withdrawal/purchase patterns set off alarms. But that is why I called and let them know that 'exceptionally-sized' purchases would be made by me out of state.

Full-disclosure: In case it's not obvious, I work for Chase. However, I am not involved in retail operations anymore nor do I have an employee account that gives me "special" limits.

What kisertn is saying here is all basically true. I have some expertise in this area as before I became a stay-at-home-mom, I worked for a major bank data processing company here in Wisconsin and I happened to work in the EFT area specializing as a rep to banks that we provided their ATM and debit card processing as well as driving their ATMs. Most banks, persay, do not do their own processing and hire other companies to do it for them but the banks all have the power to set individual and bank level limits for cardholders' transactions and card transactions fall into different categories with each having separate limits on a 24hr period that is not always midnight to midnight.(I won't go into that detail here) Most ATM/debit card transactions are categorized as ATM, point-of-sale, and purchase(where you sign). It is a consumer's right and responsibility to know your limits as set by your bank. I can't tell you how many consumers go on vacation and get into trouble with their debit cards overseas(and in US) and had no back-up plan!!! I can't stress enough that you should always carry at least one or two other forms of currency or credit. You never know when a network(and there are so many involved in EVERY transaction) is going to go down for a period of time leaving you in a precarious situation when trying to purchase something. I personally carry different network cards such as Visa, Discover, and American Express in addition to my ATM/debit card.

I will get off my soap box now. I am not trying to be preachy but just to give folks a little background on something that they might not have known.

 

[stephandmike27]

Hi there,

So if we use a credit card that has a 2500.00 limit and ask for the 1500.00 limit on our room key, there will be a hold of 1500.00 on that card? Then when you reach your limit and they try to charge the card will that be OK since there is already a hold for 1500.00 and then now a charge for 1500.00, (3000.00 total),but the limit is 2500.00?

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Hi there,

So if we use a credit card that has a 2500.00 limit and ask for the 1500.00 limit on our room key, there will be a hold of 1500.00 on that card? Then when you reach your limit and they try to charge the card will that be OK since there is already a hold for 1500.00 and then now a charge for 1500.00, (3000.00 total),but the limit is 2500.00?

A "hold" is really nothing more than a pending charge. Disney does not put a "hold" on your card. When you reach your room key charge limit, Disney will put thru a charge to your card. I think alot of folks are getting confused on what a "hold" actually is. When a merchant(in this case Disney) takes your card and swipes it thru a machine entering a dollar amount(or you at an ATM or supermarket) that information travels thru networks and reaches your financial institution's card processor. That "processor" has access(generally) to your linked account(usually a DDA for a ATM/debit card) for checking your account balance (do you have enough funds to cover transaction?) if yes--it then checks your limits (as described in my previous post), and if all is OK: the merchant gets an authorization code to proceed with the transaction. Your linked account(usually a DDA acct) gets an "auth hold" so you cannot "respend" the same funds. Within apx 48hrs, the magic of merchant transactions, networks, and electronic files get sent between processors and the actual "charge" with the same auth code that was originally sent thru get matched and the funds are deducted from your account, the "auth hold" is simultaneously (sp?)dropped, and the merchant is credited with the funds.....AND before someone says it, yes, sometimes glitches do happen and this process has flaws but that is life and life is not perfect. For example, if a merchant swipes your card twice with the same information, 2 holds are placed on funds and one charge goes thru thus creating an extended hold on funds because only one code was matched. The good news behind this is that "auth holds" on accounts have a time expiration--usually 48 to 72 hours thus if no "charge" is put thru the hold will automatically drop off anyway.


I hope I have explained that well enough for you to understand. I left out alot of information as the process is not that cut and dry but that should be a good overview.


Credit cards work basically the same but generally have less networks to travel as Visa, Mastercard, etc. process their own transactions not needing as many networks to travel and the account is tied to a "credit" account with them and not your bank accounts thus having less limitations. Credit companies and financial institutions have different governing bodies thus creating different situations.

Hope this helps and hasn't confused you more.