Full payment up front for hotel room?

[Riley Blue]

We're going away for a long weekend in a hotel in the UK a couple of weeks. We booked and paid a deposit months ago and now the hotel has asked for the full amount by the end of this week. I don't ever remember having to pay the full amount two weeks in advance of arriving before, is it a new idea?

Also; what's with hotels quoting a room rate excluding VAT and with complimentary breakfast?

[jmorgan]

Is it a flexible rate or special rate? If I want to pay on the day I usually have to get the best flexible. Special rates I normally pay when I book and hope I actually make that night or lose the room fee.

[anonymous-user]

Riley Blue said:

I don't ever remember having to pay the full amount two weeks in advance of arriving before, is it a new idea?

Fairly common practise nowadays. Even the top end London hotels do it. Book and pay in advance and you get a better rate as they've got the money even if you cancel. It's like Deal or No Deal but with a minibar.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I've only ever paid up front if using Expedia or late rooms. Usually a credit card will reserve the room, but no payment taken until check out.

Make sure do use a credit not debit card if they are desperate!

[Riley Blue]

Earlier this evening we phoned the hotel to pay and the assistant manager said it wasn't necessary and he'd have a word with the member of staff in the morning.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Riley Blue said:

Earlier this evening we phoned the hotel to pay and the assistant manager said it wasn't necessary and he'd have a word with the member of staff in the morning.

I hope they're more organised with the breakfast.

[Riley Blue]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Riley Blue said:

Earlier this evening we phoned the hotel to pay and the assistant manager said it wasn't necessary and he'd have a word with the member of staff in the morning.

I hope they're more organised with the breakfast.

So do I!

[Gh45]

Using a credit card offers no benefit if it says "no cancellation" in the Ts and Cs

[Borghetto]

Gh45 said:

Using a credit card offers no benefit if it says "no cancellation" in the Ts and Cs

But it does offer the benefit of meaning you get your money back, if they go bust between when you pay and when you are due to stay; providing the cost is at least £100.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Gh45 said:

Using a credit card offers no benefit if it says "no cancellation" in the Ts and Cs

I was referring to their likeliehood of going bust