Grrrr....Holiday Inn

[Ohiodislover]

OK, so I made reservations for my anniversary at a Holiday inn for next weekend.

Poor planning on my part, however when I called to confirm and give my CC number I was at work, and only had my debit card w/ me. I specifically asked if the CC would be charged, because I DID NOT want my debit card charged, and wanted to place it on a CC at checkin. I would have waited till I got home to call and confirm but I had put a 24 hour hold on the room, and didn't want to lose the rate.

So I log onto that bank acct this AM. I keep a lower balance on it. It is just mainly for kids school expenses, groceries, gas, and running around money etc. The Entire amount of $406 was charged

I called the reservations line that I used to book the reservations, and they said that they don't charge the card, however the hotel does when they send the reservation. WTH--why couldn't they tell me THAT on the phone.

Just glad I had that much in the account--Some weeks I don't have that much I'm still calling the hotel, and the customer service dept at the 800 number later this morning. It just puts my panties in a bunch


Thanks for listening to my vent!!

 

[Silent1CB]

I currently have 6 Holiday Inn reservations for this summer. Each was made online at their website. They have NOT charged my credit card for any of them.

I believe you probably booked using a Best Available rate to save a few dollars per night. Those are the only rates that require advanced payment. There is no refund if cancelled. That would have had to have been mentioned. If so, that would have been a clue they were charging it now.

Other rates like, AAA, military, Entertainment, and so on are not charged until you get there.

I'm weird. I never call to make reservations. I prefer to book everything online where I can read all the information. I also don't book through 3rd parties.

 

[Jynohn]

Holiday Inn has done that to me before too. I had made my reservation using my debit card, but when they asked for the card upon check-in I gave them a different CC and specifically asked that they charge that card instead of the one they had on file. The clerk told me it was no problem, but of course, they charged my debit card rather than the one I asked them to use. That's just one of many issues I had with my stay

 

[FireDancer]

The only time I have been pre-charged for a hotel room is if I use a third party booker (hotels.com for example) or had to pre-pay to get a lower rate. This includes Holiday Inn. Did you do either of these?

 

[Ohiodislover]

I called 1-800 holiday to book the room, because the type of room I wanted wasn't listed on-line. Both the online site and the 800 number said the card would not be charged. '

I called back to the 800 number, and they blamed the hotel saying they shouldn't have charged it. Then the hotel says that it is standard to charge it and that the 800 number gave me wrong info.

I then called and spoke w/ guest relations. They also state the hotel is in the wrong, and stated that the general manager at the hotel would figure something out and call me. At this point there is no need for a refund, because it wouldn't go through for several days anyway. She said that either the room would be reduced, or free breakfast. Not planning on eating the free breakfast, so we shall see if ANYTHING truly happens.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That's terrible.

I've used my debit on many occasions to secure a reservation and that hasn't happened to me. But I didn't reserve at holiday inn.

Did you double check the rate that you booked--some hotels for certain rates will require a pre-pay--I double check all print to make sure that I'm only securing a guarantee 6pm arrival.

Disney is the only company I reserve with the one night deposit. (I too keep the account at a minimal level for budgetary purposes.)