Hotel asking for cc # or 100% deposit--is this typical?

Kiwimoo · Aug 24th, 2008, 00:57

Hey everyone,

We're reserving hotels for our December trip to India and wanted to make sure this is typical of booking a room in advance:

Hotel Fifu in Jaisalmer is asking for a 100% deposit of our entire stay via PayPal (stated as super high season policy--we are staying over Chrimstas).

Amet Haveli in Udaipur has asked us to 'kindly forward card information to hold our room reservation'. I don't typically like to forward credit card information over e-mail (not secure!).

Thanks!

SitaParityaga · Aug 24th, 2008, 01:04

Can't say if this is a typical practice or not, though I paid 100% deposit in advance to stay in Jaisalmer during peak tourist time in January a few years ago. I was really scared about doing it, but took the chance and it all worked out fine. I did ask for a written statement about their cancellation policy, and hoped for the best.

Kept a hard copy of all emails sent between myself and the hotel and brought it along on the trip.

Hal · Aug 24th, 2008, 01:28

Any reservations I made over the internet asked for a credit card number. I'd send it in 2 separate emails.

But your credit card company probably won't clear any Indian transactions if they tried to prebill you or do anything funny. In fact you should call the credit card company before you go to let them know you'll be in India or you may find transactions being refused.

Nick-H · Aug 24th, 2008, 01:41

i think hotels have a right to protect themselves against no-shows --- especially at super-high season.

Kiwimoo · Aug 24th, 2008, 01:50

Thanks for sharing your experience!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SitaParityaga

Kept a hard copy of all emails sent between myself and the hotel and brought it along on the trip.

We will keep this in mind-thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by hal2004

Any reservations I made over the internet asked for a credit card number. I'd send it in 2 separate emails.

This is not a bad idea-thanks for the tip!

mandycc · Aug 25th, 2008, 20:56

I've prebooked about 6 hotels for my India trip so far and only Fifu asked for me to pay anything upfront. I understand why they do it, but I'd rather not, so I've booked Shahi Palace instead, which also has excellent reviews.

I've been printing off the agreed prices in case of disagreement.

crvlvr · Aug 26th, 2008, 01:20

I am against paying in full. If it is during peak season then they really should not have problem if you cancel withing a reasonable time frame. most reuted hotel chains have a reasonable cancellation policy.

twalnut · Aug 26th, 2008, 03:43

We were asked for some money (50% I think) up front in Jaisalmer (Shahi Palace).I wasn't crazy about the idea, but the amount was small and we did it. I needn't have worried. There were no problems. Good Luck.

Mickey S · Aug 26th, 2008, 16:57

Fifu's Guest House always operated a policy of trusting that guests with reservations would honour those reservations and turn up. Over the past couple of seasons, however, they were let down by a significant number of people who had made a reservation - and even, in some cases, confirmed it on the intended day of arrival - and then simply did not turn up. By the time it was clear that the guests were not going to arrive (and Fifu would often wait until 9 or 10pm for them to show) it was too late to re-let the room and the guest house lost a considerable amount of money. Thus the new policy of asking for a deposit or, in peak season, 100% payment upfront.

I can understand reluctance to pay in advance for a guesthouse, but also appreciate Fifu's predicament.

Kiwimoo · Aug 27th, 2008, 00:35

Thanks for your perspective everyone! Given the cancellations, I can understand Fifu's policy.

Aug 24th, 2008, 00:57	#1
Kiwimoo Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: USA Posts: 35	Hotel asking for cc # or 100% deposit--is this typical? Hey everyone, We're reserving hotels for our December trip to India and wanted to make sure this is typical of booking a room in advance: Hotel Fifu in Jaisalmer is asking for a 100% deposit of our entire stay via PayPal (stated as super high season policy--we are staying over Chrimstas). Amet Haveli in Udaipur has asked us to 'kindly forward card information to hold our room reservation'. I don't typically like to forward credit card information over e-mail (not secure!). Thanks!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Best Fixed-Deposit Savings Rates	MattFS218	India Expat Area	9	May 7th, 2009 14:32
Goa: Rental deposit?	ravsta	Goa	6	Sep 7th, 2008 03:34
Mumbai - typical cinema and searching for restaurant I once been to	sandrinella	Mumbai (Bombay)	10	Oct 31st, 2007 23:33
Cash deposit - from abroad	Wellbalanced	Lodging and Hotels in India	2	Mar 10th, 2006 16:31
Typical T-shirt (Indian style)	Jackson Palak	Chai and Chat	3	Jul 9th, 2005 05:49

Aug 24th, 2008, 01:04	#2
SitaParityaga member in the forest Join Date: May 2003 Location: California Posts: 1,146	Can't say if this is a typical practice or not, though I paid 100% deposit in advance to stay in Jaisalmer during peak tourist time in January a few years ago. I was really scared about doing it, but took the chance and it all worked out fine. I did ask for a written statement about their cancellation policy, and hoped for the best. Kept a hard copy of all emails sent between myself and the hotel and brought it along on the trip.

Aug 24th, 2008, 01:28	#3
Hal . . . _ _ _ . . . Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,302	Any reservations I made over the internet asked for a credit card number. I'd send it in 2 separate emails. But your credit card company probably won't clear any Indian transactions if they tried to prebill you or do anything funny. In fact you should call the credit card company before you go to let them know you'll be in India or you may find transactions being refused.

Aug 24th, 2008, 01:41	#4
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,209	i think hotels have a right to protect themselves against no-shows --- especially at super-high season.

Aug 25th, 2008, 20:56	#6
mandycc Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: UK Posts: 68	I've prebooked about 6 hotels for my India trip so far and only Fifu asked for me to pay anything upfront. I understand why they do it, but I'd rather not, so I've booked Shahi Palace instead, which also has excellent reviews. I've been printing off the agreed prices in case of disagreement.

Aug 26th, 2008, 01:20	#7
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,667	I am against paying in full. If it is during peak season then they really should not have problem if you cancel withing a reasonable time frame. most reuted hotel chains have a reasonable cancellation policy.

Aug 26th, 2008, 03:43	#8
twalnut Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: canada Posts: 27	We were asked for some money (50% I think) up front in Jaisalmer (Shahi Palace).I wasn't crazy about the idea, but the amount was small and we did it. I needn't have worried. There were no problems. Good Luck.

Aug 26th, 2008, 16:57	#9
Mickey S Maha Guru Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cymru Posts: 1,175	Fifu's Guest House always operated a policy of trusting that guests with reservations would honour those reservations and turn up. Over the past couple of seasons, however, they were let down by a significant number of people who had made a reservation - and even, in some cases, confirmed it on the intended day of arrival - and then simply did not turn up. By the time it was clear that the guests were not going to arrive (and Fifu would often wait until 9 or 10pm for them to show) it was too late to re-let the room and the guest house lost a considerable amount of money. Thus the new policy of asking for a deposit or, in peak season, 100% payment upfront. I can understand reluctance to pay in advance for a guesthouse, but also appreciate Fifu's predicament.

Aug 27th, 2008, 00:35	#10
Kiwimoo Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: USA Posts: 35	Thanks for your perspective everyone! Given the cancellations, I can understand Fifu's policy.