holding room reservation with credit card

Please clarify. The title of the thread indicates they want to use your card to hold the reservation, but then you say they want to charge your card. Which is it? It is not unusual for places to use your credit card to hold a reservation. I've never heard of the site 'House Trip', so I don't know how reputable they are.

I've noticed that more and more hotels are offering non-refundable pre-paid rooms that can be significantly cheaper than the regular room rate. Or, charging the first night in advance for a multi-night stay. I suppose they're trying to stem last-minute cancellations. If it's with a reputable hotel or chain and you've chosen that type of room and have a degree of trust in it, it's probably OK. If it's a home stay and you're dealing with an individual or family you don't know (or even an agency you have no experience with), I'd be very leery of letting them charge my card in advance. You could try searching TripAdvisor to see if other travelers have posted reviews of their experience with the same place.

The advertising indicated that it was $277.00 (Canadian) for 3 nights. They will be charging our credit card 218.00 Euros. ([email protected] )Has anyone used or heard of this site before?

Here are reviews of Housetrip.com on TripAdvisor. These are for Paris rentals, but it's as far as I had to go to convince myself. http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k4162202-Housetrip_com-Paris_Ile_de_France.html Buyer beware.

Look if you use your credit card you can always contest the charge with your credit card company if there is a problem. I would be the least worried using my CC.
I would just make sure I could find some reviews on the unit you are renting to make sure its clean and comfy and as advertised.

With so many other options in Amsterdam I think I would steer clear of that company after reading the reviews on Trip Advisor. As for disputing a credit card charge, doesn't that need to be done in a certain time frame?

Andrea, you can't dispute a charge until appears on your bill, which could be up to a month, depending on the timing. Then you have to report the problem within 60 days. That should be plenty of time.

Why not try to find lodging through a better reviewed company, like AirBnB? AirBnB will also want to charge your credit card up front; however, they don't actually release the payment to the owner of the apartment until 24 hours after you have checked in should you get there and decide that it is not as described. Amsterdam is not a cheap place to find a room and your budget essentially is working out to about 69 Euros a night. But with enough advance planning, you might be able to find a room at that price in a shared home (unlikely you will find a decent private apartment for 69 Euros unless you are staying on the outskirts of the city). The Jordaan, while very nice, is also one of the priciest parts of the city in terms of lodging. Try a neighborhood like De Pijp which is still safe, clean and close enough to the center that you can walk or get a tram to other parts of Amsterdam. Another option in your price range would be to try to secure a private room in a hostel - some private hostel rooms also have ensuite bathrooms so you won't have to share the shower/toilet with other guests. Although shared with other hostel guests, you will still also get the perks of apartment-type amenities like access to WiFi, laundry facilities and a kitchen to cook a basic meal. Read reviews of the hostel on websites like hostelworld.com before you book to make sure it is not a party hostel if you are trying to avoid that type of atmosphere. Often, the hostel will only want a credit card number to hold your reservation and/or a small deposit or just the 1st night's payment up front.

Thanks eveyone for all the info. I did find the airbnb site and have great success.

The timing of being able to dispute a credit card charge was my point. Many people reserve their rooms many months ahead. In a situation like that, it would be too late to dispute a charge if there was a problem upon arrival.