I spent the night in Cardiff Monday night for work. I checked into a hotel which was booked through our company, the Hotel belonging to one of the larger chains.

I was annoyed when they asked for a swipe of a credit card (in case i wanted any extras etc) I know the score here but was disgusted when they actually wanted to deduct £50.00!! They said this would be refunded when i checked out.

I argued that i would be easily traceable as my company had made the booking through Expotel. They countered that if no reading was taken, they would deactivate the TV etc.

I worked in a pub where when a customer wanted to open a tab, we took a zero reading of their card. If they did a runner or just forgot, the card machine presented you with "Is the card holder present?" and you went from there.

My question is,

Is taking £50.00 put of your account in this way legal?

To top it all off the mini bar was empty anyway!!!

Things like this wind me up.

Ask em if they'll pay the interest on the £50 for the amount of time it is taken off the card.

Which hotel was it (was it a big chain)?
Maybe we could all boycott them.

When I stayed at the Beauchief Hotel in Sheffield they took a swipe of my debit card, but removed no money.
This was just incase I did a runner without paying.

Actually here's a good story.
We stayed in the honeymoon suite for our wedding night.
The next morning we wanted to use the shower but no hot water or pressure was coming out.
I rang reception and the duty manager came out to check it, then he checked another room and found it was a boiler issue.

'Duty Manger': "Go to breakfast and we'll have it fixed in 15 mins, ready for when you get back

We go to breakfast and have the works (well it's included in the room ;) ) Worked out to £11 each for breakfast.

We get back from breakfast about 45 mins later and the shower still aint working. So we get our stuff together cos we need to travel down south at 12 noon because we're flying on our honeymoon from gatwick that afternoon. We decided to shower at the my wifes parents because they only live 2 mins up the road.

I go to check out and the receptionist asks for £135 for the room (for one night).
'Me': "Firstly it's not even a honeymoon suite. It's a standard room with a crappy four poster bed. Secondly we've had no hot water for a shower. I'll be damned if I'm paying £135 for that room."

'Receptionist': "I'll have to get the duty manager to see if he'll discount your room."

'Duty Manager': "Please come and sit down Mr DaBouncer. Now I've looked at your situation. And although you could have used a shower at the other side of the building we'll offer you a discount and you can have the room for £95"

Now by this time 2 of my wedding guests from down south had joined me and they too hadn't had any hot water. There rooms were £70 each per night.

'Me': "I'm not paying any more than £40."

'Duty Manager' (obviously flustered and worried now): "Erm... I can't authorise that."

'Me': "Well, you don't get ANY money then." :lol:

The duty manager mumbles something about having to get authorisation and walks into the back office. After 3 mins he comes back out.

'Duty Manager': Ok you can have your room for £40. And both of your guests too (because they were sat there to hear the conversation).'

Result!!! The moral of the story is - the customer is always right ;)

As long as you didn't use some of your intimidating bouncer talk..
"erm sorry mate..I ain't paying for that..you got the wrong type of trainers on"

It was Cardiff's Thistle Hotel!!!

I have e-mailed them a hefty letter. I'll post the reply...if i get one.

Originally posted by DaBouncer
'Duty Manager': "Please come and sit down Mr DaBouncer. Now I've looked at your situation. And although you could have used a shower at the other side of the building we'll offer you a discount and you can have the room for £95"

Did he really call you Mr DaBouncer? :D

Well techinically, it's illegal to sell alchohol on credit. Therefore, pre-paying avoids this.

Bar's should not provide tabs unless you have pre-paid.

Originally posted by Tony
Well techinically, it's illegal to sell alchohol on credit.

But I can buy a bottle of wine at Sainsburys on my Visa card - that's on credit?

Originally posted by alchresearch
Did he really call you Mr DaBouncer? :D
Would I lie to you ;)

Originally posted by johnjo
I was annoyed when they asked for a swipe of a credit card (in case i wanted any extras etc) I know the score here but was disgusted when they actually wanted to deduct £50.00!! They said this would be refunded when i checked out.


When I've stopped in Thistle hotels before, they've taken a swipe of my card but never asked for £50.