Requesting Passport Number
 

Question: The guesthouse I plan to spend 6 nights at in Kyoto is requesting my passport number to secure the room. Is this normal? I've never been asked for my passport number to secure a booking before, but I do know some hotels will request it upon arrival, at least I've had this done by some Italian hotels. Should this concern me? He didn't request my credit card information as I was expecting him to do, but my passport number.

Thanks,
jdc

I know nothing about practices of guesthouses in Japan, but I do know that one might make mistakes in typing the requested number. It happens all the time.

Thanks MmePerdu. I did send an email asking to clarify if indeed he meant passport and why it is needed. Also not if it makes a difference but I'm renting an apartment.

jdc

I think personal identifiers are always on a "need to know" basis. In this case, prior to arrival, I'd question whether the gentleman really needs to know.

I don't have an answer to your question, but just an FYI: It is generally advisable to give people at least 24 hours to respond to a post before starting a separate thread. And any time you start a separate thread on a topic covered in an existing thread, please interlink them and make note of your reasons for doing so. Doing so would be greatly appreciated!

Apartment or guesthouse? If it's an apartment, how did you find it? Are you renting from an individual or an organization?

I would not have concerns about giving my passport number to a Japanese hotel. I would not give it to a private individual. But then, I would probably not rent from a private individual, especially if it were my first visit.

I'm not involved in any of this, but how can a passport number be used to gain any advantage by requesting party?

A credit card #, an email address, phone #, can all be used for advert purposes, or other less friendly ways, but i fail to see what possible harm can follow a passport number.

I received a response clarifying the reason for the passport number. They don't accept credit card, payment upon arrival in cash/yen only. This is there way to secure the room, which I now fully understand, but as stated I've never encountered this, but then I've never had to pay cash for a rental before. They also said that I don't have to give my passport number if I don't want to.

@kja, your comment is duly noted. Thanks!

" i fail to see what possible harm can follow a passport number."

Identity theft?

Did you mean advert or adverse?

I fail to see how a passport number "secures" the room.

advert2
[ad-vert]
Spell Syllables
noun, Chiefly British Informal.
1.
advertisement.

And, as far as i know, passport numbers change as a new passport is issued. Unlike the SSN, of the USA, which more likely can be used for 'identity theft'.

How do you use a credit card number for advertising?