According to your experience dealing with advance hotel booking, when you're being asked a credit card number to secure a booking, do the hotel usually charge your card right away? Do you think it's reasonable for them to do so?

It has been my experience that they do not. If you do not arrive at the hotel I am sure they will. It is a lot easier than sending them a dollar deposit in advance.

in my experience, most do not; those that plan to charge the card immediately have always told me that (to the best of my memory). I've never been crazy about paying so far in advance, but it's usually a hard to get into place, or quite small, and during a popular time, so it's "take it or leave it". If you think about it, if you are booking for multi nights, and the immediate deposit is for, say, one night, that's really just a down-payment or "good faith" money (at least that's how I've always looked at it). Think of how often people must no-show or call just one day or less ahead; smaller places can't afford avoidable vacancies.

I've left credit card deposits all over Europe (large and small inns) and have never been charged in advance except once. That time I only knew because it showed up on my statement. When I inquired about it there had been a mix up and they were charging me for another guest and had cancelled my reservation. So... unless you were told in advance, I would follow up immediately.

On our next vacation in May, we were required to pay an advance on our reservation. The form the hotel sent stated how much it would be and how it would be refunded if we decided to cancel. After a certain period, there would be no refund of the deposit if we changed our minds. I think it was reasonable for them to do so because the policy was stated in the brochure and there was nothing hidden about it. Also, when faxing back the reservation form, there was a line for you to sign stating that all of the information had been read and agreed to. I think it protects smaller places. As someone else said, it is a good faith deposit. And the deposit was actually a very small portion of the total week's rental in our case.

I agree with Betsy. Unless specifically told otherwise, when you give your credit card number, you are giving it to GUARANTEE the reservation, not pay for it in advance. On the other hand, you should ask to be sure, and definitely ask what the hotel's cancellation policy is. In a large hotel, generally you will have to pay for one night if you cancel less than 48 hours before arrival. In smaller hotels and most B&B's, there might be a cancellation charge for cancelling 2 weeks before arrival. <BR> <BR>So...ask specifically.

If you are booking through a service such as Travelscape, Expedia, etc., there are some instances where the entire cost of your stay is charged to your card at the time of reservation. You are paying the service (rather than the hotel)which buys blocks of rooms just as an air travel consolidator buys in bulk and re-sells seats. The terms that would apply to refund in case of cancellation/reschedule vary and are usually disclosed when the reservation is made.

I think ....and based upon my expericence...that with any advanced hotel reservation...regarding a hotel room...that there is a cancellation clause which permits you to call the hotel prior to 18:00 and you will not be charged...In the event you do not call be that time..they ( the hotel)...will ding your credit card for a minimum of a one night stay..I think this is fairly customary...