I have noticed that Travelocity, Expedia and other sites, such as HotelDiscounts have started to sell prepaid hotel rooms. I beleive, it works like this: make a reservation, pay the entire amount, if you cancel - $25.00 charge.<BR><BR>Here is my question, does it mean that when you check out, you just walk out the door of the hotel? How reliable are those services? What if hotels claims that never got any payment? Do you have at least some form of confirmation? What happens if you cut your stay short?<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR><BR>Jane

I have used such a pre-paid reservation with Expedia. It was a "web-only" promotion. Attemots to book by telephone or through the bestWestern Website had nothing even close to the rate.<BR><BR>They still took my credit card upon arrival, for phone, incidentals, security, etc.<BR><BR>The only confirmation I had was what I printed off the internet, but there was no disputing that the room was pre-paid.<BR><BR>This pre-dated the arrangement you're describing, I think - - but I don't remember what the cancellation/no-show poilcy would have been on that reservation - - maybe 100% penalty? I would still have agreed to it. I knew I was going there.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

topping<BR>

I've done this through expedia a couple of times. A confirmation, with all info, is emailed moments after completing the transaction. With all major hotels, you always have to present a credit card for incidentals upon checking-in and have to formally check-out when departing. Many have TV check-outs from your room. We haven't had any problems with this type of reservation.

For the record, I've done this in US, not overseas.

Had a prepaid hotel in Europe and had no problems with payment transaction or reservation. The problem was that room was probably the worst in the hotel and they would not even consider showing us another. They already had our money, so you take what you get or go elsewhere and pay again. Decided not to do that again.

Have done this several times with various services (Expedia, Travelocity, Hotwire), primarily in US but a couple of times overseas (Japan, if I recall correctly).<BR><BR>Never had any problem. As long as you use a major service like the ones I mentioned, they stand by their services and deal with reputable hotels.<BR><BR>The comment about the worst room in the house can be true (happened to me once at a W), but when you get a 4 or 5 star hotel for less than half price its tough to complain.

I have also done this, Hotels.com, as stated before, you may get the not quite best room in the house, but also, as above,... it's hard to complain when staying in a 5 star in London for $89.00 per night!<BR>I actually have done this in both US and overseas, and *knock on wood. Have not had a problem. Just be sure to note:<BR>If you call the hotel to confirm your reservations they may not have you in their system yet, usually the company you booked the rooms with Travelocity, expedia etc. Hold on to your information, until a few days before your arrival. You need to confirm through the booking agency.

I use hoteldiscount.com , never a problem.<BR>Least desirable room in a 5* is like the best in a 3*. So if one could get a 5* room for a 3* price, why not. In most cases you get the location, the ambiance, the services, the amenities that a 3* could only dream about.