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Collegues, I have the opinion that this Hotel charges Minibar costs after checkout, even if we didn't use it. This happens often to us, our bookkeeping can recognise it only after weeks, when the credit card receipt is missing. Last time it was more than 8 weeks, and after that time investigation is not very easy. Even if you had several rooms (PIC/FO/FA). What about you, did that happen to you as well? I am not willing to pay again for something which I/we didn't use. Any suggestions? Thanks
Used to work in the hotel sector, incl. a Canadian/Russian JV, and what you state is sadly quite common. Basically 'free' money for the hotel.
The usual practice is to cxl the charge with credit card co., but it's irritating and timeconsuming and many hotels have std clauses in their terms of stay on the back of check-in docs concerning agreement to pay any 'post-departure charges' which Amex etc throw back at you.
Other way is to tell them to empty the minibar if you really don't plan on using it.
We came across many examples of the hotel's own staff pocketing stock after the guest's departure. A couple of miniature $5 bottles of Black Label were the average weekly wage in Moscow at the time.
What's the consensus regarding payment by credit and debit card in hotels such as Imperial, Radisson etc etc for bills in the restaurants and bars?
I know cash is always a safer bet but if you don't have any, is it safe to pay by card without the card being copied and used fraudulently if you are in a hotel that seems legitimate and professional?
Perennial problem using credit cards, frequently in the UK and almost a certainty in places like Thailand, Nigeria, Indonesia etc. The one sound piece of advice my friend PC Plod told me was NEVER, EVER give your card to anyone, anytime, anywhere to swipe. Absolutely insist that you do it yourself, otherwise you will get skimmed eventually. Buddy of mine just bought a couple of coffees from a well-known coffee shop chain at Paddington station and by the time he got off 3 hours later he was 5,600 pounds lighter, having purchased flight tickets in Miami, 2 scooters in LA and a boat!
no, I didn't complain. because I didn't return to this hotel after that. But I will complain definetly- the next time. The next question is: the bill always says that I was given my frequent-flyer miles, but I never received any from them. Their accounts-department has to answer a few questions during my next stay there!
I stay in so many different hotels, so I always ensure I get a full printout of all charges and also a full printout of the paid amount, all on one statement, so it can be seen that all charges have been paid at checking out. If they want to check the mini-bar prior to me checking out that is up to them. If I stayed in that hotel then I would specifically ask for them to check the mini-bar and write on the statement that nothing was used from the mini-bar, along with the signature, name and date.
In Russia we tend to get the cost of the hotel pppn room only and give the skipper the dosh to clear the bills on departure Another thing our crews take is the forgery machine (only about £20) and on the reception desk put the dollar bills through this in front of the teller as with the Radisson MOW we have had the teller take the money and then as the crew go to get their luggage or waiting for the bus have them come back with a security guard claiming that the skipper has just given them a moody note and then they produce their forgery machine and a duff note that they have and then the skipper has to cough up more. We don't use the Radisson anymore unless we are pushed but never in MOW! As per a previous post would be intresting to see what response they get from the Radisson
Apart from paying in cash, you could stop your card with your bank (if you have time to wait for a new one) after check out, so the minibar bill won't get through.
I had my worst experience at the Radisson SAS in Moscow.We were kept until three a.m in the morning at the lobby, since midnight, because the ink of the signature at the back side of the company credit card was fainted out and didn't match the signature of the card holder!! 20 euro for a bottle of water!! After that they never saw us again.
Yea, even better when you have a company credit card and they bill you later.. you end up with both the hotel on your back, and worse the company accountant/pitbull barking at you for spending company money fraudulently on private stuff.
And of course its so long ago, you havent the faintest idea what they are on about when they call you about it.
