Hotel booking on the internet!

Hi there to all IM'ers,

Three weeks left and I 'll be off to India again, at last! For the 1st time, I'll be landing in Mumbai, so I 've decide that this time I'd prebook a hotel room, which I never did before when going to Delhi. I just want to get straight to the rom and rest on arrival and save myself the hassle of knocking on different doors!

I e.mailed the Bentleys Hotel in Mumbai, and within a few hours I received a reservation form in which they're asking for the credit card number, in case of no show. However, I'm still a bit reluctant to send them my visa details. Now, please tell me people, is it just me being completely paranoid?!

Has nyone ever done that before at the Bentleys and could advise me? Also, if you have other options of "cheap" accomodation in Mumbai, all suggestions will be much welcome and appreciated!

Thanks in advance and happy travels!

Bon jour!

Give a phantom visa number in the form.
Give the real one when you reach there... saying ... oh!! that one expired just as I stepped on the plane.

If It's a regular system from a reputable company just give them what they need to know, you got to go on trust.
Also this question gets asked quite frequently and I can't remember anyone saying don't do it I got ripped off etc etc, I know theres always a first but,,,,,,,,,,,,

Check the site for its security. Decent places do not monkey around with your card details.
Phantom card details wont work because most of these establishments which accept credit card payment has links with the banks & a phantom card number will be detected.
Seeking your card details as a gurantee at the online reservation forms is quite common.

thank you all for your replies!

By no means did I want to be offensive to anyone out there. I basically needed confirmation and advice, as I've never pre-booked a room before in the past. I guess it was just me being a little paranoid then!

I will send the reservation form back right away.

thanks again!

Hi Fredjican,
Let me assure you that if you book via the internet or phone, you will be paying a lot more than by just arriving at the hotel.

Hi fredjican,

I stayed at Bentleys Hotel in 2003 and found it enjoyably very old world and quite without luxury. I think the standard of their rooms varies a lot so that you might wish to check upon arrival. Their are several other places nearby in Colaba but it is a popular area and often the better places are full.

I wonder how many hotel rooms stand empty because someone booked and never showed up. You can't blame hotels for wanting to protect their revenue.

But if it's a popular hotel & you really want to stay there, just turning up on the day expecting that they'll have a room might leave you very disappointed,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,