I'm making a reservation in Florence through a website Bed-and-Breakfast.it. When I phoned, the gentleman said I would receive an e-mail with instructions for me to pay the first night's stay (80 for a 3-room apartment) to a specific bank. The e-mail came with several different numbers, bank name and address. (On the phone, I offered a credit card number but he didn't want it.) Has anyone ever heard of this practice? I had not encountered it before. Any suggestions on how to confirm they're legitimate? Thanks.
Posted by
Wodonga, Australia
440 posts
I have had to do this before. It means that the money goes directly into that business's account, bypassing credit card fees. Ask your bank. There is a bank charge, or you can do it yourself if you have online banking.
Posted by
Rome
212 posts
Sure it is legitimate. As long as you have researched the hotel and don't find a slew of travelers reporting being ripped off, etc, it is just the hotel's way of avoiding credit card fees. They may not even have a credit card machine. Or perhaps they just prefer the safety of a bank draft. It wouldn't be the first time a traveler changed plans at the last minute, canceled at the last minute, and knowing that their card would be charged, call and report it stolen or just cancel it. This leaves hotels vulnerable.