Parents declined hotel check-in for not having a card...

[C Lee Farquar]

The Mad Monk said:

C Lee Farquar said:

Desk clerk was very rude,said they needed one for ID even though I'd secured the booking with a card via Booking.

Could you describe how the "rudeness" manifested itself? If the clerk said 'no', that isn't 'rude', is it? Or do you think it is?

It was about three years ago so I don't recall it verbatim. It was along the lines of not accepting that on the Booking page it said paying cash was an option, told me I should have booked direct. Advised all hotels require a CC for identification, fairly condescending that I didn't know this.

I did have means of identification which he wouldn't accept, refused to call any one else to see if that might be acceptable despite me securing the booking with a card. Suggested I try a couple of B&Bs the other side of the harbour.

In fairness I wasn't best pleased as I'd travelled for two hours on a Friday evening with two young children but I don't believe I provoked the attitude we received.

[The Mad Monk]

C Lee Farquar said:

The Mad Monk said:

C Lee Farquar said:

Desk clerk was very rude,said they needed one for ID even though I'd secured the booking with a card via Booking.

Could you describe how the "rudeness" manifested itself? If the clerk said 'no', that isn't 'rude', is it? Or do you think it is?

It was about three years ago so I don't recall it verbatim. It was along the lines of not accepting that on the Booking page it said paying cash was an option, told me I should have booked direct. Advised all hotels require a CC for identification, fairly condescending that I didn't know this.

I did have means of identification which he wouldn't accept, refused to call any one else to see if that might be acceptable despite me securing the booking with a card. Suggested I try a couple of B&Bs the other side of the harbour.

In fairness I wasn't best pleased as I'd travelled for two hours on a Friday evening with two young children but I don't believe I provoked the attitude we received.

So. Not actually rude then?

They didn't say "you are stupid/ugly/ignorant/ a cretin? That is what being rude means.

It would seem that the clerk was firm, but not rude.

[C Lee Farquar]

The Mad Monk said:

So. Not actually rude then?

They didn't say "you are stupid/ugly/ignorant/ a cretin? That is what being rude means.

It would seem that the clerk was firm, but not rude.

I would say rude but not abusive.

as in the dictionary definition 'not having or showing concern or respect for the rights and feelings of other people : not polite'

You are free to label as you wish

[wibblebrain]

The Mad Monk said:

It would seem that the clerk was firm, but not rude.

Why on earth are you choosing to argue over what is rude and what isn't? FFS what is PH coming to?

The receptionist could have been rude just by the tone in which he/she spoke to him? You don't have to actually insult someone to be considered rude.

[The Mad Monk]

C Lee Farquar said:

You are free to label as you wish

As are you.

[The Mad Monk]

wibblebrain said:

Why on earth are you choosing to argue over what is rude and what isn't?

Because, as I understand it, this is called a discussion forum.

[wibblebrain]

The Mad Monk said:

Because, as I understand it, this is called a discussion forum.

Yes: the topic under discussion is how ridiculous and inconsiderate it was of the receptionist to turn away two elderly guests for no good reason, when the application of a teeny weeny bit of common sense and humanity was much more appropriate.

Taking issue with whether or not the OP was justified in calling the receptionist "rude" (something for which there's no reason to doubt the OP's account) is simply argumentative and misses the point of the thread entirely.

Edited by wibblebrain on Monday 3rd October 22:20

[blueg33]

I find that Trip Advisor is remarkably good at getting the attention of hotels who have let me down.

Emails to management and customer care ignored for 3 months. Post on Trip Advisor actioned in 15 minutes by the same manager that ignored direct contact!

[Rick101]

only ever been asked for a card once at a place in Sheffield, can't remember the hotel.
Was quite surprised but it was not a problem. they wanted to take 1p or £1 and then refund.

What is slightly annoying is the computer says no attitude. I still can't see why they need to do it. Never needed it in the past and the room was pre paid. I've heard various silly reasons but none hold water.

[marcosgt]

Countdown said:

I see Ive had similar when people have assumed I was my wife's dad... there's only a 7 year gap but one of us hasn't aged well

My daughter gets annoyed because people sometimes assume she's my wife.

I'd like to say it's because I've aged so gracefully, but (whilst I still have some hair) I don't think it's true (nor, to be fair, that my daughter looks terribly old for her 24 years - The first time it happened was 9 years ago when she was just 15! )

Unpleasant experience for the OP's parents, I guess a pre-pay or debit card is the way to go.

Most hotels allow you to charge meals/drinks/hookers/etc to the room, my belief is that a CC swipe is primarily for that. I doubt many hotels have the systems to cater for a room being 'no charging', although that would seem to be the sensible approach.

M.

Edited by marcosgt on Tuesday 4th October 11:42

[Rick101]

uber said:

Happened to me once when they thoguht my girlfriend was a prostitute which I blame on my pleb like clothing lol. Spoke to the manager and all was fine they even gave us a free night and a meal in the restaurant.

This is one of the best posts I've read for ages
glad you took it well and I hope you give your Mrs some stick!

[CraigyMc]

blueg33 said:

Most hotels only want a card swipe if you plan to charge things to the room.

I travel a lot. Think I'm at about 100 nights away so far this year.

In my experience, every hotel wants a card swipe or a set of card details to cover the stay.
Of course it's for stuff like the room rate, the contents of the minibar and opening a tab at the bar or restaurant and so on, but it is also there to give the hotel an avenue to charge you for damage to the room, or if they find you have smoked in it, nicked towels/bedding/the telly or whatever.

It's not just for "payment for the accommodation", it covers other things.

[craigjm]

CraigyMc said:

blueg33 said:

Most hotels only want a card swipe if you plan to charge things to the room.

I travel a lot. Think I'm at about 100 nights away so far this year.

In my experience, every hotel wants a card swipe or a set of card details to cover the stay.
Of course it's for stuff like the room rate, the contents of the minibar and opening a tab at the bar or restaurant and so on, but it is also there to give the hotel an avenue to charge you for damage to the room, or if they find you have smoked in it, nicked towels/bedding/the telly or whatever.

It's not just for "payment for the accommodation", it covers other things.

I stayed at a hotel in Beijing where every item in the room had a price on it should you want to buy it / remove it without permission.

[Rick101]

CraigyMc said:

I travel a lot. Think I'm at about 100 nights away so far this year.

In my experience, every hotel wants a card swipe or a set of card details to cover the stay.

Really? What brand of hotels do you usually stay?

I don't use hotels that much but I can only remember one occasion and that was a Ibis in Sheffield. Never had it in any other ibis. never had it a travel Lodge or Premier Inn. never had it on any independants. Just back from a Week in Scotland doing NC500 and never had it up there either.

[CraigyMc]

Rick101 said:

CraigyMc said:

I travel a lot. Think I'm at about 100 nights away so far this year.

In my experience, every hotel wants a card swipe or a set of card details to cover the stay.

Really? What brand of hotels do you usually stay?

I often stay at IHG hotels by choice (Holiday Inn/Crowne Plaza/Intercontinental) because I have a zillion points on their loyalty scheme so get upgrades and whatnot, but I also stay in Marriott/Hilton/Novotel and various indies where needed.
It's generally mid-range to upscale hotels, mostly in the UK but also the EU (this year: France, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Bulgaria).

Funnily enough, until this thread I thought a card swipe on checkin was universal. Maybe just the types of hotel I stay at.
Edited to add: I have card swipes even when I stay for leisure on loyalty points at places like the Intercontinental - so where there's no room rate to pay in cash at all.

Edited by CraigyMc on Tuesday 4th October 15:59

[blueg33]

CraigyMc said:

blueg33 said:

Most hotels only want a card swipe if you plan to charge things to the room.

I travel a lot. Think I'm at about 100 nights away so far this year.

In my experience, every hotel wants a card swipe or a set of card details to cover the stay.
Of course it's for stuff like the room rate, the contents of the minibar and opening a tab at the bar or restaurant and so on, but it is also there to give the hotel an avenue to charge you for damage to the room, or if they find you have smoked in it, nicked towels/bedding/the telly or whatever.

It's not just for "payment for the accommodation", it covers other things.

100 plus nights pa for me too, and my experience is as per my post, just tell them you don't want to charge to the room.

I mainly stay in:

Hotel Du Vin and Malmaison - weekly
Bespoke Hotels - weekly
Doyle Collection - monthly
Radisson - monthly
Occasionally Hilton - 4 time pa approx
Occasionally Citizen M (you do need a card there as its all done via computer) - 8 times pa approx
Porto Bay Hotels (about 3 times pa)

Edited by blueg33 on Tuesday 4th October 16:15

[marksx]

Rick101 said:

This is one of the best posts I've read for ages
glad you took it well and I hope you give your Mrs some stick!

After a long drive they probably just went to bed.

[Trabi601]

blueg33 said:

100 plus nights pa for me too, and my experience is as per my post, just tell them you don't want to charge to the room.

I'm probably around the same ball-park. The only times I'm not asked for a swipe are at budget hotels - Travelodge, PremierInn etc. But I think that's because they don't do any room charges.

Can't imagine any time where I'd stay in a hotel with bar / restaurant where I wouldn't swipe for room charging - most hotels seem to do this as standard practice.

However, if you're not charging to your room and have booked online, then they have the security in place - however, I can envisage that a hotel wouldn't be happy when the person booking it isn't the person staying, as I suspect that may stop them charging for any damage caused by those staying.

Anyway, it find it absolutely unbelievable that anyone can go through modern day life without any kind of debit or credit card. I could easily go a whole month without needing cash, as almost everywhere takes cards these days - I could probably even go a month without cards so long as I had my phone with me!

[C Lee Farquar]

Trabi601 said:

Anyway, it find it absolutely unbelievable that anyone can go through modern day life without any kind of debit or credit card. I could easily go a whole month without needing cash, as almost everywhere takes cards these days - I could probably even go a month without cards so long as I had my phone with me!

I have a couple of cards but the only time I take them with me is when travelling on French toll roads. I don't know my PIN numbers.

I still prefer cash, I like the discipline (you can't spend more than you have), no risk of cloning, it's anonymous, never declined and I like having a roll of notes in my pocket.

[PF62]

At the hotels I stay at a hotel when booked through work it is probably 50/50 whether they ask for a card or not. For those that do, I just politely say "No thanks". No explanation. No justification. Apart from one occasion they simply carry on with booking me in.

Only once about 10 years ago did one hotel receptionist attempt take the conversation further, and that resulted in an apology from the manager.

I never bother booking anything to the room and will pay by card/cash for anything consumed, so by not having swiped a card, if reception is busy come checkout time, I can leave without needing to get a room bill print.