How do you handle "advance" reservation deposits?

Bank transfer reared it's ugly head this week when I made a reservation in Ortisei. Every hotel I consulted wanted a bank transfer, which I finally did. It may be "the latest thing" for some hosteliers. I would be curious to hear about others' experiences. I did it, and once I figured out what the bank needed, it was not bad, but I see why the bank charges: it takes a lot of hands-on time. PayPal, I love ya! Wish more places would adopt it.

Bank transfer reared it's ugly head this week when I made a reservation in Ortisei. Every hotel I consulted wanted a bank transfer, which I finally did. It may be "the latest thing" for some hosteliers. I would be curious to hear about others' experiences. I did it, and once I figured out what the bank needed, it was not bad, but I see why the bank charges: it takes a lot of hands-on time. PayPal, I love ya! Wish more places would adopt it.

Hi Diana, We just returned from Italy last week and I agree that this International bank transfer is a big pain. We did transfer money from our bank (big cost) to a resort in Assisi after many months of back and forthing, they wouldn't budge with their payment method. Then when our payment arrived, their bank also deducted a transaction fee and we had to pay the difference when we arrived. PayPal would be so much simpler for both parties. It is a safe but costly way to pay but they hold the cards if you really want to stay at their property. Remember the old saying, "This is Italy."
Have a great trip. Sherry

When I made deposits on apartments for last month, I was able to send the advance deposit via paypal. It was much less than a wire transfer. You might ask them if they accept alternative methods.

Paypal - easy and inexpensive for both parties.

Thanks, I believe she is looking into native payments with her bank. I suggested Pay Pal to her for safty.... for us both. She requested an ID in the interim, I am not comfortable with that and told her so. What info will be needed for Pay Pal? Isn't up to them to send "invoice" to me through PayPal?

Sorry, tried to "edit" the word should be alternative payments, not native.....

Not sure why supplying ID is problematic. When you check in, they will ask for your passports and you may not get them back for a day or two. As far as paypal, they can send you an invoice, or you can initiate the payment (which is what I did)

They don't need to send you an invoice for Paypal - our "landlord" simply gave me their email address and I logged into Paypal (had previously set up an account) and went to the Send Money section and entered their email address and proceeded with the instructions. Very easy and you might point out to them that it would certainly help them out with future clients if they set up the account now.

Dianne and ekc......thank you. Had just talked to paypal. She had tried to explain just what you have said ...so simply...I now understand thanks to you. I have sent an email to Italy explaining all of this. Hope they can understand it all. Suggested they go to bank for help if necessary. Great info thanks.

Sorry to hear about the difficulty in making a deposit for your future stay in Europe. I guess I was lucky when I made my reservations in Germany and Italy a couple of months ago as all of the places took credit card numbers for a deposits. In going to Europe every summer for many years I have never had to send money for a deposit. Several times I have been asked for money but offered a CC instead and it was almost always accepted. If it were not, I looked elsewhere. Good luck.

Guys, what kind of hotels are you booking? Usually, with online booking, they can take money from c/c. At least that is my experience.

In my case, I was booking an apartment through vrbo.