Saying "no charging privileges doesn't always work...

[LoveToDisney]

I reported on our trip report for BCV earlier in June that we had a big surprise at check out when we found out that 4 E-Tickets that we paid cash for were also charged to our room and thus put on our credit card causing a double payment. I had told the front desk upon check-in that I did not want any charges and our room keys say that as well. In fighting against this charge, it was made clear to me by the Disney Claims agent that researched my case that even if you put NO charging privileges on your room, the FRONT DESK at Disney CAN CHARGE to your credit card at any time WITHOUT permission or signature. Whatever you sign upon check-in gives them the right to do so at their discretion. You have no way to guarantee that a CM will not abuse their current system. There is no cross check to catch a CM that is charging without your permission since they don't have to get a signature. Just wanted to alert others so you won't have the misfortune and headache that we did. Once it happens, you cannot fight it. Disney just says, "Sorry."

I raised the scenario of a CM charging an E-ticket to a room, perhaps one that already has a lot of charges so it's not as obvious as mine and then giving that ticket to someone else to use. If the original room noticed it and complained about the E-ticket, they would have no proof that the charge was not theirs because the front desk does not require permission or signatures. They would be told the same thing I was, "Sorry."

Pretty scary stuff when you think about what could happen. I think they need to change their policy and require a signature at the front desk as well.

 

[Mark099]

I had a charging issue with my 15 night stay at the PCR. First, we were given an extremely low $500 credit limit. That barely covered our first week. Anyway, one night my wife was shopping at DTD and I was babysitting our daughter in the room. She was buying up a storm and pushed to charges to $502. Guess what? Denied! Store called front desk, front desk says we reached our daily limit? Daily limit? Hmm! The front desk said they would fix it for the night. So they raised our credit limit, nope! They put the entire balance on our Amex without as much as a call to me in the room or a mention to my wife. Man, I was pissed. I had travellers checks sitting in the safe to cover the room charges so I had them refund my Amex and increase my credit limit.

We had other issues at the PCR so this was just the tip of the iceberg. In the end we received a settlement from the manager for our troubles and time wasted.

 

[manning]

Without seeing the paper work, what is being said is that they are not honoring their contract.

I don't know if this will help, but next time you check in and offer a credit card write on the registration form in big letters "under no circumstance are charges to be put on the room" and sign it.

Also request, IN WRITING, the claim agent produce the signed credit receipt for the tickets. Every charge I have made I signed a charge slip. If a CM was careless and did not have you sign one it should be for them to pay or Disney eat the cost.

I hope you have taken this up with the credit card company by disputing the charge and in the process informed them you did not sign a charge slip upon purchase, the tickets were paid for with cash. If Disney produces a signed receipt to the credit card company they will send you a copy for examination.

Take this up to a higher level. Be firm and polite.

 

[DebbieB]

Did they make you leave a credit card # at check-in? I stayed at BWV with 3 friends in April. When we were checking in, the cm asked the friend whose name the room was in if she wanted charging priviledges, she said no, and they didn't take a credit card.

 

[JimC]

Even with cash you should have a receipt to establish that you paid for the E-tickets.

In 28 trips to WDW we had one problem with a bill at checkout and they took care of it straight away. We charge to the room for just about everything and carry less than $20 cash when we are on property. Come to think of it, we rarely use cash for anything, anywhere.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Originally posted by DebbieB
Did they make you leave a credit card # at check-in? I stayed at BWV with 3 friends in April. When we were checking in, the cm asked the friend whose name the room was in if she wanted charging priviledges, she said no, and they didn't take a credit card.

Yes, this is true. If you do not give them a credit card at check in, you cannot charge to your room, and you cannot take advantage of express check out. Which means you physically have to stand in line to check out.

 

[Dean]

All the NO CHARGING does is prevent the cards from being used for charges. If you put a credit card down you are authorizing appropriate charges. Of course, this was a mistake but they do happen. They once charged my entire bill two times the same day taking up the entire limit on the card and causing it to be rejected at olivia's an hour later.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Pretty scary stuff when you think about what could happen. I think they need to change their policy and require a signature at the front desk as well.

You should of gotten a receipt with your E-tickets clearly stating that you paid with cash. E-Tickets is a purchase, and Disney would have a detailed receipt with the tickets. If you did not pay with cahs, and it was out to the room ,the receipt would show that.

You need to save every receipt you receive from Disney, even after you get home. Even the receipts from any character meals. So if at any time in the future a charge shows up on your credit card, you have evidence of a discrepency.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Originally posted by Mark099
I had a charging issue with my 15 night stay at the PCR. First, we were given an extremely low $500 credit limit. That barely covered our first week. Anyway, one night my wife was shopping at DTD and I was babysitting our daughter in the room. She was buying up a storm and pushed to charges to $502. Guess what? Denied! Store called front desk, front desk says we reached our daily limit? Daily limit? Hmm! The front desk said they would fix it for the night. So they raised our credit limit, nope! They put the entire balance on our Amex without as much as a call to me in the room or a mention to my wife. Man, I was pissed. I had travellers checks sitting in the safe to cover the room charges so I had them refund my Amex and increase my credit limit.

We had other issues at the PCR so this was just the tip of the iceberg. In the end we received a settlement from the manager for our troubles and time wasted.

It is the credit card company that sets the daily limit, not Disney. One time, I got a $1000 spending limit. I was shocked, because all the other trips, I only had $500. When I inquired, she said that is how much the credit card is authorizing. I realized I was using a different card than I usually use.

You need to keep track of your spending and if you are getting close to the $500, go to the front desk and either pay cash, or have them submit the charges to the credit card. If you do not offer to pay cash, they will automatically charge the credit card.

 

[DebbieB]

I was thinking about this and when I charged our MVMCP tickets to the room at the front desk last December, I had to sign for it and they gave me a receipt. The amount was charged immediately to my credit card (the one I gave for room charges). It showed up on the room charge list at check-out but there was a credit to offset it from the same day showing it was already charged to my credit card.

When you check-in, there is a line on the form where they list your room charge credit line and a line for you to sign authorizing any charges. Did you sign that?

I would dispute this with the credit card company. I think they would have to produce some kind of receipt from this transaction. If you have your cash receipt, you have a good case. Plus they would have to produce the form you signed at check-in, if you didn't sign for charging priviledges, I don't see how they could get away with it.

 

[timC]

Originally posted by JimC
Even with cash you should have a receipt to establish that you paid for the E-tickets.

In 28 trips to WDW we had one problem with a bill at checkout and they took care of it straight away. We charge to the room for just about everything and carry less than $20 cash when we are on property. Come to think of it, we rarely use cash for anything, anywhere.

I'm with you. I find the room key charge to be a simple and safe overall way to manage WDW spending... and it doesn't get soggy at Typhoon Lagoon.

 

[erikthewise]

Regarding credit limits, I have read in the past that WDW policy is that guests at Value resorts have a "limit" of $500, Moderate resort guests get $1000, and Deluxe resort guests get $1500. These are not limits on total expenses, but limits on how much debt they will carry before charging your credit card. When you exceed the stated amount, your credit card will be charged and you again have $0 balance with the resort and can make further charges.

Guests sign paperwork concerning this during checkin, but CMs almost never explain it and it is difficult to understand the paperwork without an explanation.

It is easy to see how a single charge exceeding the limit would cause a problem. If you are aware of this issue in advance you can probably avoid it, perhaps by just put the purchase directly on the credit card rather than on your room.

 

[Chuck S]

If you do not want the possibility of any charges on your room, simply don't leave a CC number at the desk. I have had 2 minor issues with DVC room charges staying OKW over the last 12 years. The first issue was an annual pass I purchased at EPCOT. OKWs computer system was down that morning, and when we tried to charge the pass to the room, it was initially declined. I put the charge directly on a CC. Once OKWs computer came back online, the charge also went through as a room charge. The other issues were simply charging for 800# call, that members get free. Both charges were taken care of easily at the front desk. For the AP charge, I simply had to produce the regular CC receipt from the purchase.

 

[pat-rick]

I contacted Disney in regards to Credit Cards at check-in for a young family member who did not have one. I was told that credit cards are not necessary. A credit card is taken at checkin in case you decide to charge to the room. When you give them the card you are leaving that option open.
If you don't want any room charging privileges than don't give them the card.

 

[manning]

Regarding credit limits, I have read in the past that WDW policy is that guests at Value resorts have a "limit" of $500, Moderate resort guests get $1000, and Deluxe resort guests get $1500. These are not limits on total expenses, but limits on how much debt they will carry before charging your credit card. When you exceed the stated amount, your credit card will be charged and you again have $0 balance with the resort and can make further charges.

When everything is done right.

We were at DTD and when we charged to the room was told we exceeded the limit and couldn't charge. We had to have the CM call over to BEACH CLUB.They forgot to run the charges against the credit card.

That was the trip were everything went wrong. We tried to charge again at MGM the next day and we were told we had checked out the day before. I'm holding a room card showing check out two days later. I was beginning to think I had a clone running around.

I won't get into the problems we had when we did check out. IT WAS A MESS!!! It was so bad that Disney ended up giving us money back. And falling over themselves apologizing.

BEACH CLUB needs new management !!!!!!!!!!

 

[LoveToDisney]

I NEVER gave them a credit card at check-in. They had the credit card from my initial reservation that the member services asked for since this was our first trip as owners. I was concerned that they would charge against it and they told me not to worry...just tell the desk you do not want room charges.

I do keep all my receipts. Since I was new to staying on Disney property, I didn't know to ask for a cash receipt for the E-Ticket transaction. I thought the E-Tickets were my receipt as she handed them to me. I have since learned differently, but not until after much time, grief and no compensation for paying twice.

I agree that the Beach Club needs new management. Don't trust the front desk.

 

[Cris]

Originally posted by manning
When everything is done right.

We were at DTD and when we charged to the room was told we exceeded the limit and couldn't charge. We had to have the CM call over to BEACH CLUB.They forgot to run the charges against the credit card.

Let get some facts straight people, they do not charge against your credit card, they take payment at the end for the incidentals.

Yes there are limits as said before:
Value - 500.00
Moderate - 1000.00
Deluxe - 1500.00

If you room is paid for then there is no reason for you to put a credit card on file so if you don't want anything going on your credit card just make sure not to put one on file.

People need to read the registration cards when they check in and not rely on being babied by the cm checking them in, but by all means if you need it explained just ask, don't expect them to read everything for you.

 

[Chuck S]

Originally posted by LoveToDisney
I NEVER gave them a credit card at check-in. They had the credit card from my initial reservation that the member services asked for since this was our first trip as owners. I was concerned that they would charge against it and they told me not to worry...just tell the desk you do not want room charges

I've never heard of this, is this something new? MS never asked me for a CC number over the phone...although we used to have the OPTION to call the front desk and "pre-check-in", it has been ages since we were able to do that.

 

[trpscooby]

If you had lots of cash or travelers checks could you just give an amount to the front desk so you could still charge to your room, but withouth giving your credit card?

 

[DebbieB]

LoveToDisney,

I would call member services. Ask for Jackie Leuders, the customer satisfaction manager or another manager. They need to have a signature on file authorizing charges to your room. Since you don't have a receipt, I wonder if the cm did something with the money and then tried charging to your room to cover it.