I
hate those stupid holds that hotels put on cards, don't you? I'm glad you guys were able to eat!
In my case on this trip, everything was paid for and had cleared well in advance, therefore leaving no reason for me to put any card "on file" at the PPH at check-in. If a bill is paid in full in advance, before arrival, and nothing is due upon checking in, the hotel is not supposed to just go ahead and put an incidentals hold on a card
unless the guest chooses to leave a card on file (for room charges or whatever). The hotel can enter a "cash" code and tell the system that the guest will cover any incidentals charges in cash, should those charges arise.
Of course, needless to say, when I got to the PPH I handed over my ID and my AP. The CM who checked me in asked if I wanted to "leave a card on file" and I specifically said "No," reminding her that everything was already paid and I didn't need to leave a card.
And, unbeknownst to me, the PPH "system" -- whether it was the CM's fault or whatever -- placed a hold on almost $100 of my money on the last card it had on record for me, without my approval, knowledge or permission. So I went merrily along, thinking that I had money to spend -- because my 2012 PPH stay worked out fine and there was no incidentals hold on any card.
Fortunately I only spent a small amount at Tangaroa Terrace, but it was money that was "unavailable" to spend because the PPH blocked almost $100, so the bank viewed it as a charge that I authorized.
I did not learn of this until I got home, though -- so at least you discovered what was happening while you were at the hotel/condo and could deal with it! When I got home I saw that the money had been held on my card, without my permission, and that I spent on the card thinking the money was there.
I called the PPH and told them I was not pleased. The CM on the phone tried to tell me that I had handed over a card at check-in, which was unequivocally untrue. I held my ground and told her exactly what happened and that I unknowingly spent money that I thought was available when it really wasn't. Finally, she offered to credit me back $100. I didn't expect that nor did I ask for it, but I felt it was reasonable. She also said they would "speak to" the CM who checked me in to better inform her of how she is supposed to handle the guests who do not wish to leave a card on file.
Still, though, I don't trust any hotel now -- even if everything has been paid in full ahead of time. I expect that they will all just block whatever money they want to block. Sure, if it is an incidentals hold (which is so stupid because I don't use any of the services associated with that) it will expire 5 days after I check out, but I need the money while I am at DLR!
Anyway, I'm glad you got it worked out!
And yes, as of last year the tour added in some stuff in DCA but I think they got into more detail with it this year, from all reports I've read. This year the gingerbread cookies with the faces are new too -- they didn't have faces in the past, if you recall!
I know you said you were tuning out while the tour guide was talking, but do you remember her explaining about the angel on the
Disneyland Hotel tree (not sure which tree it is)? Someone else who took the holiday tour this year mentioned that the guide told a story about how some CMs were taking down the decorations one year at the DLH, and they found a little angel on one of the trees. The angel was not part of Disney's decorations, so upon further investigation they opened up the angel and found a note inside. The note, if I recall correctly, was from a family who spoke of their sick child and how Disney and Disneyland had made such a difference to him/her.
Ever since then, apparently the decorators put up the little angel somewhere on "the DLH tree" each holiday season. I have no clue which tree! I heard this story
after I got back from my trip a couple of weeks ago, and I had already been all over the DLH, scoping out the trees!
I'm sure the little angel is hidden somewhere -- maybe it's even on a tree in a back office and not out where the public can reach it -- but I wish I knew if it had been on a tree that I looked at!
It freaked me out when it first went off....especially since I was sitting alone!! Ty got back and joked about it......so that helped!
