Hitomi

The hotel I reserved require a deposit. It said in my currency (US$). How do you send a deposit to Italy? Is Postal Office's money order good? Any better way? Is it safe to send a money order (cash equivalent) by mail? <BR> <BR>Thank you for your help.

Ed

I'm not too wild about sending cash deposits. It's not the mail I worry about, but what happens if I want the deposit back. It's rare, but sometimes that takes forever (seemingly) and you're likely to suffer a serious exchange loss in the process. <BR> <BR>If, as you say and is often the case, they'll accept one in your currency, why not write out a personal check? If you have no checking account then a money order is fine. <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twenj.com <BR>

Elsa

We just got back from Italy and we stayed in about 4 hotels. I gave each of them my credit card number upon confirmation of the dates I wanted. I didn't have any problem doing it this way. <BR> <BR>Elsa

Jane

We are going to Italy in a couple of weeks and put deposits down on our hotels with both personal check (in US currency) and with credit card. <BR> <BR>I did cancel my reservation for one hotel, which I reserved with a check, and they refunded my money by sending an international money order. It took 4 months to get the refund, and it was less $30, after deducting a service fee and the devaluation of the Lira in the intervening weeks. <BR> <BR>Overall, I've found it is standard practice to ask for a deposit, often in a cash-equivalent. Even though it took forever to get the refund, we did get our money back. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps.

Paule

Most places do take the required deposits with credit cards. For those who don't, I've had no trouble sending a check in American dollars. One place actually cashed the check; the other place held the check and gave it back to me upon arrival. I then paid the entire cost by credit card.

ralphie

If you do a search on this forum, you'll see several posts from people with their experiences regarding deposits by cash/check. Apparently, some hotels do continue this practice, but the vast majority will take a credit card number to hold a room. <BR> <BR>You have much more leverage and legal rights by using a credit card. I personally wouldn't bother with any place that demands a cash deposit unless you really, really want to stay in that hotel, or you don't mind the fees and 4-month delay getting your refund (see above post). <BR>