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Help! I was charged on my credit card before arriving

Posted by (airdrie, AB, Canada) on

I pre-booked a hotel for 2 nights using the hotel's website (Hotel Pensione Ferretti) in Florence. Both on the website and in the confirmation email they state that credit card info is just for reservation purposes (like every other hotel on earth) and that no charges will be made before I arrive.
I just looked at my cc statement and there are charges. For the entire rate.
I emailed them quoting their statement of no charges, and asking can they explain why I was already charged.

Does anyone have experience with this and is there anything else I can do??

I admit - I'm freaking out - I like to trust that they won't charge ahead of arrival, and I don't like giving up cc info but what's the alternative? Am I over-reacting or is my reaction justified?

Thanks for any advice.

Posted by
9110 posts

Have you talked to credit card company? They can undoubtedly dump the charge.

Posted by
5517 posts

You can call the credit card company and tell them that you want to dispute the charge. What this does is essentially relieve you from paying the charge until the dispute is settled. The credit card company will give you instructions ... likely they will request that you write to the hotel requesting a credit and provide them a copy of your request.

I would not be overly concerned at this point. I was once double charged in a similar situation in the U.S. (I paid by credit card when I booked and my credit card was charged again when I checked out). The charges were refunded and there was no problem.

Posted by
20 posts

Thanks for the replies. My initial knee-jerk reaction was a little overstated. lol
It will work out I am sure.

Posted by
1449 posts

On their website they say "Credit card is requested only as guarantee your reservation. No charges are made before your arrival." Possibly they charged your card to make sure the charge would go thru, and then reversed it. I have had this happen before. But if they simply charged your booking ahead of time, doesn't sound like they're the greatest hotel to do business with.

Posted by
2788 posts

I agree with what Steve posted in saying that many hotels now offer advance payment-nonrefundable rates that are lower than other rates for the same rooms.
Seems like a good way to get customers to commit and show up. You should check your reservation to see if you clicked on one of those types of rates.

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