Villa Security deposit question

[zippy99]

We need to pay a $500 security deposit for our villa later this month to Hotelbeds when we collect our keys.

What is the best way to pay this? If we leave credit card details do they take the money or is it just a swipe? If we pay cash - how is this refunded?

I may try calling them later but just wondered if others could give me any advice.

 

[Pegasus928]

Whenever we have paid a deposit it has normally been via post - as we prefer to deal with the owner direct - and it has been in the form of a cheque that is then returned to us at the end of the holiday.
If they take a credit card I would assume it would be a swipe just to get the details - in much the same way a car rental company would.
Personally I would be reluctant to leave cash as there are no guarantees that on the day you check out someone will be there promptly to check the villa for any damage and hand your money back over if all is well, plus in this day and age of technology leaving cash would be totally unneccessary in my opinion.

 

[zippy99]

Thanks for that - all a bit confusing for us as we have always stayed on site before and not had a car.

We have not got a big spending budget this year but am now starting to worry about all these $500 deposits - we need this for the Villa and Car.

We only have a credit card with a £500 limit so if we use this card is it just a swipe they take or do they actually take the funds/block the amount. I am worried that if we use it for the car we can't use it for the villa and we wanted to also have it as a back up for emergency spending...

Would appreciate any knowledge on this matter.

Thanks xx

 

[Pegasus928]

All they do if using the card for a deposit is to take a swipe for their records. They then have it there ready if you, for example, return the car and it has some damage.
The only change to this that I know of is if you use a debit card. We once forgot our credit card when picking up a hire car from Manchester airport and had to use a debit card. for this they had to actually take the money out of the bank and refund it when we returned the car. As usual it left our account instantly but took 28 days for it to be returned to us
If you are in any doubt I would consider giving the respective companies a ring - if only to ease your concerns.

 

[zippy99]

Thanks for your swift replies Pegasus - it has greatly put my mind at rest!

This will be our fourth trip - but first off site and I must confess I am a little anxious as it is all different.

 

[wayneg]

We dealt direct with the US owner, paid a $200 deposit by Paypal which was refunded on return.
If using a credit card they could put a hold on the $500, you need to speak to them.