Credit Card for hotel pre-authorisations abroad

Rko

Thanks for your responses and stories.

I recently travelled to Morocco and stayed in a Sofitel hotel with my partner (well known international chain) that insisted on taking a pre-auth of £300 for us both (£300 in total).

At this point, I didn't have a credit card and so reluctantly gave them my debit card. During a previous visit to the same hotel, it was not obligatory - but they insisted this time - or my other option was laying down a cash deposit of 4000 Moroccan Dirhams (roughly £300).

I don't 'put all my eggs in one basket' and keep all my money in my current account (linked to debit card), so worried about the pre-auth, although there were no problems.

I had £200 cash (in Dirhams) for a 3 day trip, so obviously could not lay down a cash deposit. But my Lloyds Visa debit card was accepted and fine and funds were released after 2 days at maximum.

I plan on returing to the same hotel in April. I took out a Lloyds Advance Credit Card (Mastercard) this weekend, my 1st credit card, for the sole purpose of future hotel pre-authorisations. I have no plans to use the credit card in any other way.

So, do you guys agree that this is good practise and wise?

My limit is £1000.

Also, when I give my credit card for future visits, is it operated via chip and pin? Or just swipe? I.e. Will I need to enter my pin? Thanks in advance.

reclusive46

Rko wrote: »

Also, when I give my credit card for future visits, is it operated via chip and pin? Or just swipe? I.e. Will I need to enter my pin? Thanks in advance.

It will depend on what kind of machine the merchant has. Some still have swipe and sign machines. The majority of the world now have chip machines (Excluding the US which still uses swipe and sign).