Deposits in Scotland for Lodging?

The only times I've had to pay a deposit was for hotel in Edinburgh during the festival and that was not a refundable deposit without substantial lead time for canceling. Also, when I stayed with a group, we have sometimes paid up front for the lodging, but other times, we each paid our own tab. If you are staying in a hotel like the Premier Inn they will take a credit card. I think it's the same as the US, but I would ask.

Thanks Pamela. I'm just hoping were not going to end up with a lot of authorization holds on our cards because we don't have a high limit card because we use mostly cash.

While there are exceptions to any rule, most request credit card information as security to the properties deposit and cancellations rules. They may, but not usually, run a "test" charge to verify card validity.

In some cases, the property will offer a discounted price based on immediate advanced purchase of the accommodation. In those cases, the condition is usually very clear and obvious.

We were in Scotland in June for 14 nights. I made all of our reservations in January. All of our accommodations required a credit card number to secure the reservation with one exception (Loch Maree). The places we stayed in Glencoe, Mull, and Orkney charged a one night deposit to our credit cards. The others (Skye, Thurso, Invermorriston, and Aberfeldy) did not do anything with the credit card information - no holds or anything. They would have charged us for one night's lodging if we did not show up.

Thanks Cynthia! For the places that did place a hold on your card, how long did it take them to release it?

There were no holds placed on any of our credit cards. Accommodations either took a deposit or they did nothing with the credit card information. Accommodations only wanted a number to secure the reservation. They will charge your card if you don't show up. Nothing else is done with the card information.

My experience has been that it's only with Debit Cards is a an actual hold placed on the card that can affect available credit. This is true in the US as well as a abroad. So, if you are concerned, make sure you are using a credit, not a debit card. :)

Pam

I have booked for a trip through booking.com and a deposit has been taken from the card. This is for one if the island in the next two months.

We upgraded from a much cheaper B&B that was cash on check in.

It really depends on the hotel or B&B and the lawyers friend, small print.

Pamela is correct. Holds are common on debit cards but never on credit card. There is nothing to hold - it is credit. However, debit card can have the money reserved or held for that debit. And sometimes the hold is substantially greater than the potential bill. The is one of the big reasons that it is generally recommendation that a debit card not be used for purchases while traveling.

But is that the OP's true question. Seems to me she is asking if lodging routine ask for a deposit when checking in. A deposit on-line when making a reservation is not uncommon but at checking in - NO. They have your credit card. Don't need a deposit.

We are staying at Tigh na Bruach B&B in glenmoristan in late September and booked a few months ago. We were asked for credit card details and were charged for one night in advance. I have found that to be common for most of our accommodation. An apartment in Edinburgh was prepaid in full. And AirBNB in two payments will a refundable bond.