paid bill that was presented but charge more after leaving.

uncertain_consumer

I hope someone can assist if possible.

I visited a health spa for an overnight stay with friends and when i came to check out i was presented with a bill as expected. I paid this bill in cash and left. two weeks after arriving home i found that an additional sum had been charged to my credit card. i called the spa only to be told that i hadnt fully settled my bill and the money had been taken from the card details that were used to confirm the booking with, despite me not paying the bill on this card.

are they allowed to do this? I paid the bill that i was given. it seems unfair that they can charge more later on.

The booking wasnt arranged by me so i wasnt sure of the price of the weekend so paid whatever was asked for on check out.

thanks

visidigi

depends what the charges are for? Also have you checked the terms on the check in paperwork?

dreamypuma

You have two issues here. These need to be dealt with separately.

1) Was the sum charged, due for payment?
2) Should the hotel have taken payment in the way they did?

The first issue is for you to establish, if you have used their services then you need to pay for them. You need to establish what you have paid for and what the additional charge is for. The charges could be for a bar tab or restaurant bill that hadn't hit your account by the time you checked out. Had you undergone any treatments at the Spa that weren't included in your package?

The second issue, depends on what your agreement was for. More and more hotels these days take credit card details as a bond for any damage or bills their residents may incur during their stay. Charging for these after the event isn't unusual, if the money is owed and their systems are not automated or are only updated irregularly. This is usually covered in the terms of your booking.

The hotel have your card details, despite you not booking the service yourself? Seems you may need to have a word with whoever used your card and get them to stop committing you to things they have not fully understood or explained to you.

Rikki

Could it have been a charge not showing on the account at the time you left? Drinks, treatment or purchase.

NeilF3485

Hotels do this regularly, and as you said "overnight stay" I'm assuming it's basically the same thing. For example if you check out and settle your bill before your room is serviced then they will then bill you for any mini-bar items at a later date, stolen towels, damage etc. (just examples).

If you used a product or service which they weren't aware of when you checked out, then they can of course charge your card at a later date (which is why they swipe one when you check in or store the one you book with).

I see no issue here unless you are saying that you have been charged for a product or service which you didn't actually use?

bod1467

It's not unusual for a card to be presented when checking IN as a security against non-payment. So regardless of what card was used for booking, the card presented at check-in takes precedence. Did YOU present a card for swiping at check-in?

ETA - this reinforces Neil's 2nd paragraph.

But as others have said, you need to ascertain exactly what this extra charge is for. Contact the Spa and request that they send you a revised invoice (scanned and emailed would be quickest and easiest probably).

vax2002

You can ask for any amount you have been charged to be "taxed" this is the bill is brokent down in to individual items that have been used to make up the total.
You need to find out what they have charged you for.

vax2002

Another point is you should always ask for a check out receipt, even written on the back of a paper towel if required, this denotes that the room has been checked out and inspected, you are not liable for any other charges once you have a check out receipt.
If you prefer to just hand your key in, wave goodbye, then, by all means do, but dont complain when the cleaner nicks the mini bar, bedding and towels and you get charged for it.
Always get a check out receipt and get it signed.