Question regarding check-in at Universal hotels

[breebella]

This will be my first time staying on-site at Universal and I have a question about check in.

We are staying at Royal Pacific. Will they ask for a credit card at check in? I don't have a major credit card, just my Visa checkcard. I don't plan on charging anything to the room. Will they put some sort of "hold" on my Visa check card and if so, how much? I'm bringing travelers checks & cash and I want to make sure I leave something in my checking acct if they are going to put a hold or deposit on my card.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

They do ask for a CC at check-in. I know they will accept a debit card but I am unsure of the amount held. I would call the front desk and ask. I know when we check in they ask how much a day I want to allow to use on my room key as a CC. If you dont want to use the room key as a CC maybe they have an alternative to that.

 

[AlexandNessa]

How long are you staying? While I was dealing with something at the HRH front desk, a family was checking in right next to me, and they were staying for one night. They paid cash for the room and refused charging privileges on their card. (Don't I sound so nosey? Honestly, they were very close to me as I was dealing with my thing, and it was a situation I couldn't help overhearing.) Anyway, I don't think they were ever asked for a credit card at all.

 

[susieb16]

I had the same question so I called the RPH and was told that they hold 100.00 per night.

 

[Nana Annie]

This will be my first time staying on-site at Universal and I have a question about check in.

We are staying at Royal Pacific. Will they ask for a credit card at check in? I don't have a major credit card, just my Visa checkcard. I don't plan on charging anything to the room. Will they put some sort of "hold" on my Visa check card and if so, how much? I'm bringing travelers checks & cash and I want to make sure I leave something in my checking acct if they are going to put a hold or deposit on my card.

Thanks for your help.

Our experience. May differ completely from anothers experience.

Both times we went, we used our Visa checkcard. As long as it is a Visa/Mastercard checkcard, they don't seem to have a problem.

The minimum they run upon check-in is the cost of your stay. So if you are staying 5 nights @ 200.00 per night - they will run the $1,000 + tax. They put a hold on this money.

Then they ask you how much you want added for charging to your room. The standard is $100.00 per day. So for those 5 days, they would add another $500.00 to their hold for a total of $1500.00 + tax. Add in the parking charge, etc. This will be the final amount they do an initial run through on your card. You have to have the funds in your account when you check-in to be able to check-in.

I don't know what happens if you make other arrangements, such as paying in cash or by traveller's check. That you would have to call and ask what their policies are.

Now, the other portion of the equation is what your bank allows. Our bank does not allow holds on checking account funds. So, Loews will run our card and put a hold on our funds. The hold will show up until the next business day, when our bank removes it. So, our funds are only tied up for the most 24 hours. Usually less. So, it is also a good idea to call your bank and find out what their policies are on holds on your funds.

 

[goofy!]

We haven't stayed at RPR for a few years. Do they still have the 3 plans you can choose from? They had catchy names and each had a different amount max per day you could charge to your room.

First time I stayed at PBH, I told check-in I wanted X plan and they looked at me like I was nuts.
"You know, what they have at RPR."
They told me that at PBH we just told them how much we wanted added to our cards.
In a meek voice I added "ok"

 

[pluto's fan]

I was asked if I wanted to leave a credit card with them at check in. I never charge anything to my room so I always refuse. If you are planning to order pay per view from your room you will need to provide a credit card at check in.