Possible Unauthorised Transaction - Advice/Info needed please

wannapintobeer

Hi, newbie here so please forgive me for any lack of board etiquette.

I have a question regarding a possible unauthorised credit card transaction.
I recently stayed in a hotel belonging to a well known chain. A few days after departure I received a letter together with a "customer not present" credit card slip to the tune of £100.

The charge related to "professional cleaning" due to the fact I'd been smoking in the room (guilty as charged, but only because there was a group of coke-snorting druggies on the carpark).

Whilst I admit to my breaking of the rules, I would have expected the hotel to send me a bill, rather than just charge my card. In my mind this amounts to an unauthorised transaction as I received no prior notification of the charge.

Just looking for some clarification as to whether the hotel are within their rights to charge the card without notification.
Thanks.

jonesMUFCforever

I think that they are - it will be in their terms and conditions which you would have had a copy of if you booked online.
If you were a non smoker would you want to stay in smoke filled room? - Answer is probably not - the hotel I guess have lost revenue for at least one night to sort out the problem.
Why should they spend more money than is necessary in sending you a bill - you admit breaking the rules.