Why do some restaurants charge your card before you even order?

[bsusanmb]

What is with this? I had my card charged at Mayan Grill and at California Grill and Wolfgang Puck for the dining plan before we even ordered! Someone in our party thinks it is so that they charge the most expensive items to get a large tip - any other ideas????

 

[TAKitty]

I had never heard of this. We haven't had this happen, but our last trip was in July.

 

[Lewisc]

What is with this? I had my card charged at Mayan Grill and at California Grill and Wolfgang Puck for the dining plan before we even ordered! Someone in our party thinks it is so that they charge the most expensive items to get a large tip - any other ideas????

Non-Disney owned restaurants, including the Mayan Grill, base the servers tip on the fixed dollar amount Disney pays them and not on the dollar value of the food you order.

I don't think they actually charge your card in advance, the tip on Disney owned restaurants is based on what you order. Some restaurants ask for your card in advance to make sure your're not ordering more than what's indicated on the card. Your card says 2A1C you're only allowed to order 2 adult meals and one child meal.

It also allows them to run your check after you order to dessert. The server can present a check for you to sign after dessert is served. They don't have to delay you by asking for your card. I don't know if the server checks to make sure you have enough credits left.

 

[jm1008]

We ate at the california grill on dec 3rd and were not charged until the end. In fact they did not ask if we were on the plan. We told them. I found that each server handles it differently. We ate at Chefs de France twice the first time we had to show them the card they did not charge it then. The second time nothing at all until the end of the meal

 

[bsusanmb]

Actually, our card was charged for the table service meals before we even ordered anything. We signed the receipt before we ordered anything. the restaurant was empty and there was no reason to do this to save them and us time at the end of the meal. In fact, the staff at the Mayan grill was downright rude. When we asked the server to explain the menu items and deserts, he walked away, or he just continued with what he was saying. He and the manager also seated a family of 12 at different tables in a virtually empty room. The manager told the family that it was all they could do since they didn't have an advance reservation. 3 children sat next to us, and the others were seated on the other side of us.

 

[Lewisc]

Mayan Grill and WPC are not owned by Disney. The restaurant and your server are paid a fixed dollar amount for every dinner. Charging your card early makes it easier when it's time to leave. It also allows the restaurant to make sure you have enough credits to pay for the meals you order.

Sounds like you either got a bad server or a good server having a bad day at the Mayan Grill.

Actually, our card was charged for the table service meals before we even ordered anything. We signed the receipt before we ordered anything. the restaurant was empty and there was no reason to do this to save them and us time at the end of the meal. In fact, the staff at the Mayan grill was downright rude. When we asked the server to explain the menu items and deserts, he walked away, or he just continued with what he was saying. He and the manager also seated a family of 12 at different tables in a virtually empty room. The manager told the family that it was all they could do since they didn't have an advance reservation. 3 children sat next to us, and the others were seated on the other side of us.