Room charges to Credit card

[NicsMom1500]

When we check in to the polynesian for 7 nights, will the hotel room bill be put immediately on our credit card or is it done at check out?

I have also reserved two rooms on our reservation (one for my in-laws). At check in will they be able to pay with their own credit card or will the entire bill go on ours? Will they be able to set up their own credit card to charge their meal/shopping expenses?

I'm hoping to dig out my old hotel bills from the last few trips but knew I'd get much faster help by posting my question. Thanks!

I'm just trying to verify my budget plans as we leave 3 weeks from today!

 

[miko]

Typically at check-in the hotel flashes credit card with a reserve amount they feel is close to probable expenditures. The card is not actually charged until check-out.

 

[jel0511]

Any amount I've owed for room reservations has always been charged at check-in. since it's one reservation, they will give you the total for both rooms together. You can ask them to divide it into two and have each amount charged on each credit card. NOw, for the room charges. I've NEVER been able to get two separate charge cards placed down when I've had two or more rooms reserved in the same name. I've always been told that it can't be done, and one party always just used their credit card and one party the room charge. I've read reports of it being able to be done, so all you can do is ask at check-in.

 

[the4moores]

I'm trying to remember............. I think that the balance is due when you check in.

 

[luvsTink]

It is true that most hotels "flash" or put a hold on the amount they think you may use onto the card you present. In other words, that amount of money is NO LONGER available to use, sometimes up to 5 days after check out! Our rooms are paid for, but my plan is to give a cash deposit to charge. I have been told this will work.

Anne

 

[DebbieB]

It's been awhile since I've done room only, but they have always charged the room balance right away. They also charge passes right away. I bought MVMCP tickets at the guest services desk at BW in the middle of our trip last month and used my room key, that amount was charged immediately.

 

[NicsMom1500]

Thanks for the info!
I'll be prepared to pay the room reservations for my Feb. 15th AmEx bill then as my cut off date is Feb. 1st and we check in on January 31st.

I'm not concerned about how much they hold on the card as we are using our American Express and pay off the balance each month.

We do enjoy using the room charge privileges with our room card. My in-laws are probably just using cash for their purchases/meals but I'll double check!

I guess I'll call my in-laws tonight and tell them we can charge every thing to our card and they can settle up with us later!

I'm trying to get myself organized so it's back to my spreadsheet now!

 

[erikthewise]

On our stay at the Polynesian last month the balance for the room was charged at checkin, and a second charge was made after departure for items charged to our room.

When you check in, they flash something at you and ask for your signature. You will see the amount $1500 . Don't worry -- it just means that if you happen to accumulate more than $1500 of room charges, they will charge it back to your credit card. But you then can go on to charge another $1500 to your room, and so on. They just don't want to extend credit to you for more than $1500 at a time.

 

[NicsMom1500]

I can't thank you all enough for your speedy replies!

Now I can skip digging around for my old bills since I now know that...

At check in, our credit card will be charged for the hotel bill.

We will set up the room charges to our credit card. My in-laws can either pay cash for their meals and purchases or just use their credit card or...they can charge to our room and settle up with us later. (We have two rooms under one reservation.)

Our credit card will be charged each time we run up purchases totalling $1500 but then we can go on and spend more. If we total less than $1500, the purchases will go on our credit card at check out. Hmmm...I'll have to consult my vacation spreadsheet for my anticipated expenses!

A huge thanks as I copy this info down and go off to look over my budget!

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by jel0511
Any amount I've owed for room reservations has always been charged at check-in. since it's one reservation, they will give you the total for both rooms together. You can ask them to divide it into two and have each amount charged on each credit card. NOw, for the room charges. I've NEVER been able to get two separate charge cards placed down when I've had two or more rooms reserved in the same name. I've always been told that it can't be done, and one party always just used their credit card and one party the room charge. I've read reports of it being able to be done, so all you can do is ask at check-in.

Just went in December. Had 9 rooms in my name. Paid them in advance. At check-in, gave her the name of each person in each room and told her each would be responsible for their own charges if they wanted to have charge keys.

She called it "splitting" a reservation. They were originally all together. She had the guy in the back split each room off separately, then split off the payments that had been charged for the room cost, so each room started with a zero balance. When the rest of my family came to get their room keys (I didn't take those, just checked us in) they were each asked if they wanted charging privileges on their keys and were given the option of leaving a card. If you've been told this can't be done, the CM is either unknowledgeable or a bit lazy. Ask to speak to someone who can help you, as it's done all the time.

HTH,
Katie

 

[NicsMom1500]

Katie:
Thanks for this info on splitting a reservation. This is very helpful information and at least gives us the option to split the reservation so that my in-laws can have their own room charges, if desired.

Fabulous news!

 

[DISNEYBIGGDOGG]

Originally posted by jel0511

Jel, last summer my family went with another family to ASMu. I originally reserved the room on my CC. They take 1 night for each room to hold the room and at check in we asked to seperate the bills and he used his CC and I used mine. There is no problem there, they do it all the time. Hope this helps.

 

[jel0511]

Thanks everyone, it seems that the splitting can be done with Room only ressies, but everytime I've tried to do it, I've had a package. That could be where the problem lies.

 

[summerrluvv]

Originally posted by luvsTink
It is true that most hotels "flash" or put a hold on the amount they think you may use onto the card you present. In other words, that amount of money is NO LONGER available to use, sometimes up to 5 days after check out! Our rooms are paid for, but my plan is to give a cash deposit to charge. I have been told this will work.

Anne

That's not true at Disney. If you want room charging privledges you give them your CC and they authorize it for $1.00 to see if it's valid. Once you reach the limit (depending on your resort), then the card is actually charged. They don't "hold" any amount other than the $1.00 like most hotels do.

Now if you owe money when checking in toward your room, than they actually charge your card at that time.

 

[freediverdude]

Also, I thought I would add, the policy is now that if you reach your limit that they give you on the room key, no more can be charged on it until they hear from you. The room key will come up "over limit" on cash registers, and you or the clerk has to call the front desk and verify that you agree to charge your credit card and start a new limit. It doesn't just automatically happen anymore. I can explain further if needed.

 

[erikthewise]

freediverdude,

This is the first time I've heard of this and frankly it's a little difficult to believe that it is standard policy. More details would be welcome.

 

[RiRaRoMom]

freediverdude, that is exactly what happened to us a few years ago.....I tried to use my room key to charge something and it was denied, as I had gone over my $1500 limit.........I had to call the front desk at the resort and have them apply the $1500 to my charge before I could charge any more. As soon as I did so (right at the counter where I was checking out), I was instantly able to use it again.

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by erikthewise
freediverdude,

This is the first time I've heard of this and frankly it's a little difficult to believe that it is standard policy. More details would be welcome.

Yes, this is the new policy, it has happened to me. Of course it wasn't explained upon check-in, just an embarassing moment in a store. Then I called the front desk at the WL and was advised of the new policy. The CM's in the store are supposed to be aware of this policy and make the call for you to verify you are are who you are. I was told this policy is in place to help with lost room cards. This way, WDW could limit their losses in this case, since if a lost card is charged to the hilt, they won't charge anymore until the user is verified. I was asked to provide my address and home phone number upon calling the front desk. Then the charge was placed through, and I had a new limit to start.

 

[skiwee1]

The same thing happened to me in October. I went over my $1500 while trying to make a purchase at DTD. The CM wouldn't call the front desk to find out what the problem was. I ended up using cash until I got back to the Poly. That is when the Poly CM explained that we now have to personally okay the extended amount and we could have done it over the phone. The CM at DTD should have called and let me speak to someone at the Poly to okay another $1500 but she did not. I wish you could okay a higher amount to begin with and not have to worry about going over the set limit anyway. With it being my mom, my 4 y/o and myself we put everything in the room charge because it is easier then carrying around more CC cards. We usually reach that limit halfway through our trip since we put all the restaurants and souveniers on it.

 

[summerrluvv]

A simple solution is to periodically get a list of your room charges and when you are close to your limit, ask them to charge your card and that will re-set your limit.