Emailing Credit Card Info?
 

A hotel we wish to reserve in Switzerland has asked us to email our credit card information to hold the reservation. Has anyone done this? Is it save to email this kind of information?

There are varying opinions on this, but what I usually do is send the cc info in two separate emails - the first with the name on the card and first 12 numbers, the second email with last 4 numbers and expiry. It seems to work pretty well and I think it's secure enough.

I've done it with no problems. if you are worried then split the details into several e-mails. Explain to the hotel that you are doing this.
If you are really worried then either FAX it to them or phone them.

No, it is not safe. Send a fax or tell them your credit card number on the phone.

There are automatic devices in the internet which search for emails containing credit card information. At least you should encode your credit card information like:

VabcIdefSghiA

1xy2z3xx4 5xx6yy7zz8

But better use fax or phone.

I have done this in a two part email. I let the hotel know before I sent them as to what I was doing. I don't know if it's any more secure to do it that way, but it made me feel better.

I have emailed my credit card number to reserve a room. I have noticed the hotels where I have stayed numerous times, have my credit card number saved in their computer. Probably not safe, but no problems yet.

Use a voice phone call!

Sending your number in 2 or 3 separate emails is safe. I don't like faxing and having my number sitting out in the open in some possibly public place for who knows how long.

Of course I routinely give my card to waiters and sales people who will disappear with it for varying amounts of time while they do who knows what with it.

Or you can write out the numbers as words: one three five five etc.

Another option is to write your credit card number using a picture-drawing software and then save it as a gif or jpeg. Or take a picture of it and upload the picture.

Mail the picture of your cc number (as an attachment) -- the number stealing Internet programs are all text-based and will never see it.

Some cards allow you to get a temporary number for use on the internet, etc. I know that Citibank does this. You can have them generate a card number and even specify the length of time the card is good for and the maximum dollar amount. When the merchant uses that number Citi knows your real card that the charge is applied to. The only hitch is if you have to present the actual card, such as at an airport to retrieve your ticket.

When you get to the hotel you can either leave things as is or give them your real card to swipe, etc.

There is no limit to how many virtual cards you can generate.

Fodorites, you are fabulous! So many good tips within a few minutes!

I told the hotel I didn't feel comfortable sending my cc info in Email. She replied "tell me what time to call you and you can give it to me on the phone" I did that and she called. All was well!