Hotel holds on credit cards?

[Traceyd14]

We are staying at the Tropicana for two days. I read somewhere that this hotel will put a $250 hold on our credit card for incidentals. Is this still happening, even for just a two day stay?

After those days, we are moving to the Holiday in for 5 nights. Does the Holiday Inn have a similar credit card hold? does anyone know the amount? We have paid for all-inclusive, not sure if that matters. We keep our credit cards at fairly low limits so if the money is going to be on hold I need to know so I can be prepared not to use our credit cards.

[elisabeth_nj]

That is common practice at alot of hotel chains. I usually give them a card I DON'T usually use or one that is close to my limit. This way it does not restrict me from using any of my cards or my Debit card. Sometimes it takes days or weeks to get charged back to your card. In some instances they won't even run the card thru which is great! The Tropicana does not even have a restaurant or anything to "charge to your room" that's weird that THEY would do that! I guess you can drink $250 worth of booze at the swim up bar!!!

[~Amy~®]

Most hotels do this at most destinations that we've traveled to so that they can cover any incidentals that you might charge to the room. It's common practice. Some car rentals do it as well.

To find out the exact amount of the "hold" and the details I would contact each hotel directly to find out their policy.

[Traceyd14]

We are new to traveling so any advice is welcome. Thank you.

[Andrea J.]

yup standard procedure.

[luvsun]

We've stayed at the Holiday Inn and I don't ever recall them doing it, with or without the All-inclusive.

[TomFrederick]

>>> "Most hotels do this at most destinations that we've traveled to"
----- Ditto for us also. Also think car rentals do this.
They do this so they know you have funds to cover any charges you may do against your room/unit number. Even with AI you may have phone charges, gift shop charges, ........ You can normally tell if they ask for a credit card at checkin they are putting a hold on.
Sometimes you don't realize there is a hold as when you check out they make the necessary changes in $$ amount.
>>> "We are new to traveling so any advice is welcome."
------ Always have a second credit card as a backup. Buy some American Express Travel Checks to use at restaurants that you don't charge to your room. Those most front desks and casinos will cash for you if $$$ needed.
Don't use a DEBIT Card out of the country except at a bank ATM.