What is the difference between hotel booking without payment, card guaranteed and pre-paid reservation?

What is the difference between hotel booking without payment, card guaranteed and pre-paid reservation?

When making a hotel reservation usually there are few options to choose from. Many people do not know which kind of hotel booking is the best for them and what may be the consequences of their decision. What are the differences between types of reservations in hotels? Is hotel booking without payment possible? Do hotel reservations charge guest’s card every time? Can hotel reservations be canceled and when?

Types of reservations in hotels

In the hotel reservation types there can be mentioned three main options:

  • hotel booking without payment and card guarantee,
  • card guaranteed reservation (credit or debit),
  • pre-paid hotel reservation.

Hotel booking without payment and card guarantee

Sometimes it is possible to make a hotel booking without payment. However, most of the hotels and booking intermediaries require to pre-pay for the reservation or make a credit card guarantee. When making a not guaranteed reservation, a guest needs to know that his/her room booking is unsure. In case the hotel has many reservations and is overbooked, reservations without payment guarantee are canceled (or put as the last in line to get accommodation).

Can hotel reservations be canceled when making a hotel booking without payment?

Yes. Usually, hotel booking without payment and card guarantee can be canceled by the hotel at any time. Information about it can be found in the hotel reservation policy, to make sure that certain hotel can cancel the reservation.

Debit/credit card guaranteed hotel reservation

This type of hotel reservation requires the guest his/her payment card data to book a room. By that, the guest gives the hotel a guarantee that he/she is able to pay for the room. This kind of hotel booking can be canceled for free by the guest until a certain date (e.g. 24 hours before arrival).

Do hotel reservations charge card in this reservation type?

The card will not be charged until the end of the free cancellation date, because the guest is allowed to cancel the reservation. The hotel will charge the guest’s payment card after the free cancellation date. It may be for example the day of arrival, or after midnight when the guest will not show up at the hotel at all. Specific booking conditions like the time of free booking cancellation or when exactly the card will be charged can be found in the hotel reservation policy. (Why hotel needs the credit card you may read here)

Can hotel booking be canceled by the hotel when it is card guaranteed?

No, in this case, the hotel will not cancel the reservation as it is guaranteed for both the guest and the hotel.

 

Pre-paid hotel reservation

Reservations in hotels can be paid in advance as well. Pre-paid hotel booking is guaranteed for the guest and the hotel. Therefore guests can be sure that the room will be waiting for him/her to check-in. However, pre-paid hotel booking cannot be canceled for free by the guest.

Depending on certain hotel or booking intermediaries there can be a few options to pre-pay for the hotel stay, for instance:

  • debit/credit card online payment,
  • bank transfer.

Do hotel reservations charge card when making pre-paid hotel booking?

If the debit/credit card will be chosen as a payment option, then yes. It is going to be charged as a hotel reservation pre-payment.

When the guest will chose a different payment option than a credit/debit card, it will not be charged.

Can hotel booking be canceled when it is pre-paid?

No, advance payment is a guarantee for the guest that his/her room will be for sure available on the day of arrival. The hotel and the guest cannot cancel this kind of reservation.

This is basically everything that guests should know before making a hotel reservation. The possibility of making a hotel booking without payment, charging the guest’s card, and canceling the hotel reservation differs because of reservation type and specific hotel reservation policy.

 

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