Deposits, Incidentals, and Credit Card Holds

Many hotel guests are surprised by deposits or incidental holds. These are not always extra charges. In many cases, they are temporary authorizations placed on your card to cover possible room damage, smoking fees, unpaid balances, parking, restaurant charges, or other incidentals.

Debit cards can be more complicated because holds may reduce your available bank balance for several days.

Smart guest tip: Use a credit card for hotel deposits when possible. Ask the hotel how much the hold will be and when it is released.

Case Study: The Debit Card Surprise

Thomas booked a weekend hotel stay and planned his spending carefully. At check-in, the hotel placed an incidental hold on his debit card. He thought it was a charge and became upset.

The front desk explained that it was a temporary authorization for possible room charges, damages, or incidentals. However, because Thomas used a debit card, the hold reduced his available bank balance for several days.

This affected his restaurant and transportation budget during the trip.

Lesson: Credit card holds and debit card holds do not always feel the same to the guest. Debit card holds may tie up real funds.

Smart guest takeaway: Ask about deposit amounts before arrival and use a credit card when possible.

The CC bank might not release the hold for weeks sometimes and there is not much a hotel can do about it.