Belinda

I usually book a hotel through a travel agent, pay up front. Today I booked a hotel for Hawaii through a 1-800 for the chain. The woman took my credit card number and then went on to explain that my credit card holds the room, but when I check out of the hotel that is when I pay for the room upon checkout, on my Visa. She gave me a confirmation number for the hotel. I guess I am so use to going through a travel agent and paying cash or by cheque. There was a special on the room and said with my credit card that the price is guaranteed, even though the rates may fluctuate later on. Booking through the 1-800 number has saved me about $20.00 per night, compared if I booked through the travel agency. Has anyone had a bad experience booking this way? Thanks!

DianeG

Hi Belinda!<BR><BR>This is the way I prefer to make bookings. I also always check that I can't get an even lower rate with my CAA(AAA) or RCI memberships. On more than one occasion, I have also called the 1-800 number from a pay phone in the lobby and got a lower rate than the desk could offer!<BR><BR>When your reservation is secured by credit card in this way, the rate is also secured. You should be aware that if you do not cancel your reservation and don't show up, you WILL be charged on your credit card.

Ben

Something else to just be aware of when you guarnatee a room with your credit card:<BR><BR>It's true that you're not charged until you check out of the hotel unless the hotel requires an upfront payment or deposit, which they have to disclose. But, when you simply guarantee a reservation, the hotel places a "hold" against your line of credit approximatey equal to the cost of the first night's lodging. While this hold doesn't show up as a charge on your account, it can affect the amount of credit you have availabe relative to your credit limit. In effect, it's a hidden use of your credit. While this isn't normally an issue, it could be a problem if you regularly approach your credit limit - you may be closer to maxing out than you think.<BR><BR>Having said that, I regularly use my credit card to guarantee my reservations. It locks in the quoted rate, you can arrive as late as you want, and it gives you a recourse in the event the hotel screws up and gives your room away.<BR><BR>Hope this helps.

Kim

What you did is perfectly safe, secure & acceptable. This is how I always book a room. have a wonderful time!

Belinda

Thank you everybody, I feel better now.

Faina

Belinda, it's all seems to be confusing only the first time, after your vacation you'll understand better how it works, it's really no-worry!

kkj

Good for you. This is a perfectly good way to secure a room. Keep your confirmation number handy just in case. For peace of mind, you might want to call a couple of days before departure and reconfirm your arrangements. Sometimes I even call the hotel directly if they also have an 800 number.<BR><BR>I know it is nerve wracking trying someting new and giving your credit card number over the phone. But the good news is that is probably even safer than booking over the internet. You know who you are dealing with since you called them.<BR><BR>Have a good trip and have fun with the extra money you saved.

Mark

In theory, you should be getting the best deal through the hotel. For one reason, you're dealing directly w/them and whatever they charge, they're collecting all of it - no commissions.<BR><BR>BUT - sometimes you do even better going to a chain's website because the'll give discounts for "do it yourself booking" (assuming they have the same inventory the hotel itself has).<BR><BR>BUT - (also) sometimes....a travel web site has even a better deal at the same hotel.<BR><BR>This just happened to me.<BR><BR>I called the 800 number of a Toronto hotel to book a deal (better price, maybe) I've seen on a website (American Express'). (Not going to go into the details because they're not important.) <BR><BR>Anyway, the reservationist tells me they're "sold out" on that deal, but when I asked what they had charged for it, I was quoted EXACTLY the same price as Amex quoted.<BR><BR>SO I went back to the Amex site and booked the exact same deal the hotel said was sold out.<BR><BR>THEN, after waiting an hour for Amex's and the hotels's reservation systems to get into synch, called the hotel and worked out the details (the "perks" that made the offer so attractive in the first place) just as if I'd checked with the hotel in the first place.<BR><BR>MORAL - research, research, research - you never know what you might gain.<BR><BR>PS- In this case, besides Amex, I checked Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, various Toronto discount agencies, etc. etc.