Hotel security deposit.

Pathpink

Have booked and paid for a hotel in France, but just noticed they require a £500 security deposit. How is best to pay this without worrying that they will charge it once I have left the country and have no way to dispute it?
Thanks

heatherw_01

They usually take credit card at checkin, then refund on checkout as long as there are no damages.

soolin

I recently visited France but I’d booked through an agent. I too was asked to pay s security deposit, €800 in my case and it had to be paid 10 days before my stay. In my case my agent took my info, and we did the hold payment whilst on the phone together. In my case I did it on a credit card, it never showed anywhere at all as far as I can see. 

Mark_d

Pathpink said:

Have booked and paid for a hotel in France, but just noticed they require a £500 security deposit. How is best to pay this without worrying that they will charge it once I have left the country and have no way to dispute it?
Thanks

I would put this on credit card.  I put all transactions and authorisations on credit card (except cash advances). Why wouldn't you?

There is always a risk that unauthorised transactions appear on your credit card/bank account.  I wouldn't be worrying about it but I do check statements and I don't think I could miss a transaction as big as £500 !

How would I dispute this type of charge if it appeared on my statement?  Telephoning the hotel is the quickest and easiest thing to try.  If you have no luck then they should have complaints procedures.  Then you could try going to your credit card company.  Is still not satisfied you could try the Financial Ombusdman Service and explain why your credit card company should have refunded you.