anuta

Hello,
i have finally figured out where are we going and where we are staying. got all my reservations done-but this is what i encountered trying to book a hotel in Croatia-they are asking to wire them 20% of our stay to their bank accont. i have never done that before and not sure if it widely done in Europe. This is the hotel that is asking for wire transfer:
http://www.hotel-osmine.hr/
does this sound right?

anna

AR

I'm not sure about wiring money, and I wouldn't do it myself - but - this sounds like some kind of unrefundable deposit to guarantee your stay. This kind of thing used to be commonplace in the UK at least before the days of the internet when you just book or reserve on-line.

I must admit that if someone asked me to do it I would just stay somewhere else - but perhaps that's just me?

AR

When I say commonplace, I mean asking for a deposit and not wiring money!

bardo1

Wiring money is standard for apartment rentals and REALLY small hotels (like 10 rooms) but not really for most hotels. I am very surprised that a hotel this size (168 rooms) doesn't accept credit cards. It <b>is</b> unusual.

murphy89

Personally anuta, I would not NOT do that. What if you get there and its not a nice hotel or you are late or you change your mind. At least with a credit card you can bounce back a charge if it is inappropriately made etc. Just my opinion.

Myer

I've never been to Croatioa so I don't know the policies of most hotels there.

However, I have never given a deposit for a hotel on a European trip.

In fact, to date I have only stayed at hotels that have a 24 or 48 hour free cancellation policy.

I have paid a slightly higher rate on ocassion to get this but I feel it's worth it.

I cancelled a complete trip several years back with only 10 days notice and it cost me about $10 for two Alhambra tickets in Granada, Spain.

francophile03

Perhaps eastern Europe has different reservation policies. For instance, someone else here reported that a hotel (forgot which city) was asking them to fax a copy of their credit card in although they gave the hotel their c/c number for guarantee. Others said that this request wasn't unusual. For me I would stay elsewhere than to wire money especially if it's non-refundable. Again like the previous poster that's just my personal thought about it.

anuta

Yeah-i was a little turned off by that request. that being said (i am booking this for my boss and his family) and this all-inclusive resort is what they want. i am just torn-and my boss tells me to do what i think is right.

Myer

Anuta,

Do you know what it means to &quot;do what you think is right&quot;?

If it works out then the boss selected a great hotel. If it doesn't then it's your fault.

ira

Hi anuta,

&gt;...my boss tells me to do what i think is right. &lt;

Not a good idea.

May I suggest that you tell your boss that this is somwhat unusual; that it is most likely a non-refundable deposit; that since he wants to stay there he should authorize you to make the payment for him?

It is his money that you will be sending, isn't it?

anuta

Thank you guys! I just emailed the hotel asking to give a credit card number instead-we will see what they say!! i will let you know.

j_999_9

I guess one semi-obvious question would be: If they're going to accept credit cards for payment, why wouldn't they accept CCs for deposit?

hopscotch

Making a bank transfer is common. But after seeing the web site I can't believe that they don't accept plastic. Give them your Amex number. Or maybe Amex, Visa, or MC can tell you if they accept their plastic.

nukesafe

That is standard practice, apparently, in Croatia. I dutily sent my money off to the hotel's bank account. The whole process went over quite smoothly.

The only problem, in my opinion, it that is is very expensive to wire money. My bank charged me $35 for the Euro transfer. Considering the small amount involved, that represents a HUGE percentage of the money sent. Another problem was that the hotel's bank alseo took a charge from the amount, and I had to make up the difference to the Hotel.

Crummy way to run a railroad, IMO, but that is the way it is done. Perhaps Croatia will get sophisticated soon, and we can pay deposits with credit cards and Pay Pal --- but then Croatia will be just like all the other European tourist traps, not the charming and simple place it is now.

Have a great trip!

LoriS

I've had several hotels in Europe require wires for deposits, yet will accept credit cards for payment. Usually not a problem.

Underhill

The main problem is that wire transfers incur extra bank charges.

annw

I stayed at Hotel Uhland in Munich per recs from this site. The hotel turned out just fine, but they did require advance payment--and getting a bank draft in euros cost me $25, plus the cost of mailing with delivery confirmation. Time was short for research, but in the future I would as noted just stay somewhere else that takes a credit card.

That said, our TA has often booked us into small european hotels that require advance payment--her company pays, then I pay her by check, and she give me a voucher to present at the hotel.

I much prefer straight credit card deals.

amp322

Yes, it costs you $, and probably saves them some trouble and $. Personally, I've wired $ a few times. Was skeptical, but it all turned out just fine, in the long run. With apartment rentals, I've found someone who uses Paypal, so that worked out OK. I still have to pay the balance in cash when I get there, though.

VOYAGEUR

Hi
i think taking a substantial reservation fee for a high-end resort is common world-wide...especially during high season. but i have not heard of a bank transfer as a method of paying for it.....sometimes corporate travellers are required to do it.
if you get more info on that please let us know

GSteed

Foolproof! Hotel has its profit up front. CC can negate payments. Too many travellers fail to honor reservations. Many winter venues demand full payment in advance!