Last week I called the front desk and asked for a fax number so that I could fax over a credit card authorization in order for them to charge our stay before our arrival. They told me that they can do that and sent me over the form.
I finally called to speak with their Rooms Director and I left her a voicemail. If she doesn't call me back or fix this issue, then I'm going to the GM.
Since they had a form available (yes, I know some unscrupulous person could have made it up, but hopefully, that's not the case), it probably did go somewhere at Vistana. There's a good chance that it's just a case of one hand not knowing what the other is doing.
Let us know what you hear from them.
BTW, on your part, I also agree that it isn't that unusual for things to be done the way you're talking about. I travel a great deal, and we sometimes fax the authorization ahead if we're using the company credit card, because our Business Manager doesn't let the company card our of her sight for the most part. We also mail checks to prepay at hotels.
Additionally, we've had condo companies (that we rented for conferences) require a copy of both the credit card AND the drivers license along with the faxed authorization form.
that was not their fax number and he had no idea where that fax number was to (ok, my cc number is now floating around out there somewhere)
If they had told me in advance that I couldn't do it then I would've just gone a different route and it wouldn't be a big deal. That is the point I would try to make by contacting their rooms director....the fact that I was told one thing, sent my info and now can't.
I am hoping nothing happens with it because cancelling a card attached to my bank account that I use for EVERYTHING is a huge hassle, especially having to wait for a new one.
I assure you that if you called our main office, they wouldn't recognize all the fax numbers in our organization either (and we're not that large). Hopefully, it will be okay.
I agree with your point. You were given instructions by someone with their company and now nobody seems to know what they're talking about. Somebody needs to clear this up for you.
As far as the card, canceling it and getting a new one is not a big deal - very easy to do. Speaking from personal experience when mine slipped down under the seat after I had it out, I called the bank, they checked the account and "flagged" the card, and I had a new one in a couple of days. No worry that way.
used to work in hotels, and we always took CC info over the phone, or people could send a check. However, since Vistana is a timeshare, the probably have different regulations and the various departments don't communicate.
That's what I suspect too.
I'm sorry this is such a hassle for you. I like to have my vacations paid for, too. I have a friend who took out a loan to pay for her honeymoon last year...and they're getting divorced this year. The honeymoon isn't even paid off yet!!
Isn't that sad!
