Hoteliers Rights to Debit from a CC

CluelessJock

Obukit wrote: »

At the hotel I work at we have a Barclay's merchant account. At check-in guests sign a registration card authorising the hotel to charge the card all charges, including extras and payment for accommodation in event of non-payment by a stipulated party. It will be this "authorisation" the hotel will be using when charging your friend's card.quote]

Again this seems to be the basis for charging after guests have departed, as no registration card was completed, nor swipe taken, it is clealry unauthorised.

CluelessJock

A.Jones wrote: »

Yes, obviously if they have your details some other way (via internet booking or a company booking) then there is no need for them to have them again.

As I said they took the details from the card used when checking out.

This may well be the easiest way to secure the refund as only the bill correctly presented was authorised.

dmg24

exel1966 wrote: »

I think I'll stay thanks !

Think Withabix might be right about the !!!!!! !!

Another vote for the !!!!!! ... maybe it was not fit for purpose?

Obukit

CluelessJock wrote: »

Again this seems to be the basis for charging after guests have departed, as no registration card was completed, nor swipe taken, it is clealry unauthorised.

In that case ring your bank again and say that you wish to do a chargeback - do not accept that it is authorised and ask to see proof. If the hotel are unwilling to make a refund, only your bank can sort it for you.

Be aware though that if a chargeback is successful the hotel may consider taking the matter to the police or to civil claims if they feel you owe them money. Does the hotel not have a head office you could write to? It really would be a lot easier to get it sorted this way, assuming you have a good reason for getting a refund.

CluelessJock

Obukit wrote: »

In that case ring your bank again and say that you wish to do a chargeback - do not accept that it is authorised and ask to see proof. If the hotel are unwilling to make a refund, only your bank can sort it for you.

Be aware though that if a chargeback is successful the hotel may consider taking the matter to the police or to civil claims if they feel you owe them money. Does the hotel not have a head office you could write to? It really would be a lot easier to get it sorted this way, assuming you have a good reason for getting a refund.

Thanks again, it's not so much the money (£190; lot's of !!!!!!), it's more the principle and for future reference. The hotel is privately owned and not part of a chain. There is certainly no concern over any further action the hotel may take.

NickX

If the charges are not valid and have not been authorised by the card holder, then the hotel has no right to charge you. Simply speak to your Card Provider and dispute the transactions, they should complete a chargeback.

By not telling us what the charges are then we cannot say whether they are valid or not. But in answer to your question if they are NOT valid then the hotelier has no right to place them.

Hope that makes sense.

withabix

NickX wrote: »

By not telling us what the charges are then we cannot say whether they are valid or not.

He's owned up in his last post

For £190 I'd want Virtual Reality (or the barmaid) at the very least.

If it's !!!!!!, I would dispute the charge.

How many nights did you stay? £190 is a lot of films!

Did you view any...errr...premium rate channels, even to preview? If so, how many times? Could anyone else in the room have accidentally viewed those channels?

If the channels WERE viewed, you will have agreed to the charges when you accessed the films.

Do a chargeback. They will probably back down as I doubt they've incurred any costs and virtual services are rather hard to prove.

CluelessJock

Thought it easier to humour you, worked eh!

CluelessJock

NickX wrote: »

If the charges are not valid and have not been authorised by the card holder, then the hotel has no right to charge you. Simply speak to your Card Provider and dispute the transactions, they should complete a chargeback.

By not telling us what the charges are then we cannot say whether they are valid or not. But in answer to your question if they are NOT valid then the hotelier has no right to place them.

Hope that makes sense.

Did not ask for people's opinion on whether they are valid, did post what credit card company said when contacted. But thanks anyway.

NickX

CluelessJock wrote: »

On contacting his credit card company he was advised that hoteliers retain the right within the t's & c's to charge outstanding amounts without the card holders specific authorisation. Examples of reasons given were to allow the hotelier to charge for damage or drinks taken from a bar, only discovered after departure.

This is what you have said the Card Provider have said and this sounds correct. However, if the charges are not valid then they do NOT have this right.

I think your answer lies in whether the charges are valid or not, but as you do not want to discuss this there is not a lot more that can be said.