2007-11-28 16:37:44 · 5 answers · asked by cvjade 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
I don't believe that's the practice only in California. About 20 years ago, I was booked into a major hotel in Boston for a professional conference, and I had accidentally left my credit card wallet sitting by the phone that morning after making a credit card business call. I was booked into the conference for 3 days, I told the hotel I had already gotten my husband to overnight the credit cards to me, and I offered to post a cash deposit for the first day. The hotel refused to let me check in. Fortunately, my boss was in the check-in line behind me and offered to let the hotel use his credit card to guarantee my reservation.
I agree this is a stupid way of making sure hotels get paid, but I don't believe it's illegal.
2007-11-28 16:53:12 · answer #1 · answered by mountain lady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are so many amenities that a hotel provides during your stay. They have no way of knowing how many of these you may avail yourself of during your visit. So even if you pay cash up front for the room what keeps you from charging meals to your room, renting movies, long distance phone calls and etc. Some people have even been known for one reason or another to do great damage to their rooms. Not knowing how much cash you have in your wallet it is best if there is a means to cover these costs if they accrue. Not only can they ask for a credit card they can reserve funds against your credit line. To those of us who are honest and true we will always be at the mercy of the sly and conniving. If you are thankful that when you are away from home that a tent is not the only place to stay please be tolerant of their need to cover operating costs so that they can be there when you need to check in.
2007-11-29 00:50:19 · answer #2 · answered by jwhall60 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i've run into this in several other states as well during travels for business......i'm not really sure why they do it, but possibly it has to do with being able to cover costs for any damages or missing items after you leave, so that they can be sure they recoup their costs....the hotel is like any other business establishment....they can set their policies and if you don't like it, then you don't have to stay there, you can go elsewhere....and i'm sure that's the way they look at it.....hopefully someone inthe hotel industry can answer this question for us....
2007-11-29 00:47:20 · answer #3 · answered by #1 bossman 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's up to the hotel. It's their policy if you want to stay there. If you don't want to do it, or don't have a credit card, look for another hotel.
2007-11-29 09:03:28 · answer #4 · answered by Sam B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they do it, it's legal Hotels do have lawyers, you know. They have lawyers so they can ask them what's legal and what isn't.
2007-11-29 02:26:51 · answer #5 · answered by TedEx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋