SOG deposit question

[mog]

I just called and made our reservations for next summer. When we stayed there before, we had to put a one night's deposit down on the room. This time the lady taking my reservation said that if I "held" it with a credit card number, there was no deposit required. She said they just keep the number and if you cancel shorter than 30 days from check-in then they charge the one night penalty on your card, but other than that they would not need to charge a night's deposit on it.
I am having a hard time believing this. Does anyone know if this is correct?? The SOG website email reservation form still says the deposit is required and if you reserve on line, the email confirmation will tell you how to remit your deposit. I made mine by phone and she told me several times that there was no deposit required and I would just receive a confirmation letter in the mail in 7-10 days.
Anyone know anything?

 

[ashejen]

I don't know about this from personal experience, but have read several posts to the same effect lately (not taking deposit anymore).

Also, my letter from SOG took about 4-5 weeks to arrive because of how busy they are due to the military deals. I had to put the deposit down, but this was a couple of months ago.

I much prefer calling (even though I have to call at 5:30am my time) - I've even left messages before and they've called back very promptly. My parents tried emailing and it took (as the webpage said) several days.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I e-mailed, it said a deposit was required but when I submitted the CC number was told it would be used as a courtesy hold. This is new! I made one for next March in case WDW discounts are not available or not good-it is backup. I really may drop it and go with overflow depending on what I read and hear.

 

[Uncle Mikey]

My sister made our family reservation at the end of June. She made the reservation by e-mail. Since she did not want to put her credit card on line, she chose to call. She called a couple of days later expecting to give them a one nights deposit for the rooms. Instead she was pleasantly surprised to only have to give the credit card to hold the rooms. She was told this was a very recent change.

 

[mog]

Well it sounds like everyone is being told the same thing about this. That makes me feel better. I know last time we went it wasn't like that, but I suppose they changed the policy. I guess I'll just hang on to my $101 dollars until it's time to go then!!
Thanks!

 

[Alice28]

I made my reservation in April and they charged my card then. This must be something pretty recent- very nice!

 

[mog]

I received my confirmation letter in the mail yesterday. It showed the status of the rooms as guaranteed, but on the back of the letter the pre-printed information still stated that a one night deposit must be received within 14 days of booking or you lose your reservation.
So I called this morning and here is the story...
She said that this is a recent change as of June 16 this year. You no longer have to pay the one night deposit if you guarantee with a credit card. If you cancel within the 30 days of check-in then they will charge the one night penalty to your card. She basically said that SOG is run by the Dept. of the Army and "you know how government likes to change regulations all the time"! I thought that was amusing.

Anyway, here's my theory:
Given the combination of having to make reservations so far in advance and the nature of military work/vacation schedules, I imagine there were tons of cancellations going on. They probably figured it was ridiculous to have to keep sending all these people their deposit money back and it makes a lot more sense to do it this way. Imagine that - the military actually doing something that makes sense and makes things less complicated!!

 

[arizonacolbys]

I just made my SOG reservation for January 3 days ago & was told by the woman on the phone that my credit card would be charged for a one night's deposit. It'll be interesting to see what it says on my confirmation when it comes.

 

[mog]

Hmm...I wonder if it makes a difference that you will be at the Contemporary in January since SOG is not going to be open yet. Maybe Disney requires the one night deposit???