Should I use my debit card to reserve a hotel room/rental car/etc?
Category: Personal Service: Debit/ATM Cards | Updated: August 6th, 2015
When you present a debit card at registration, the clerk or cashier requests an authorization for an amount based your expected length of stay. An additional amount may be added to the room rate to cover other guest services, such as movies or parking. Many are not aware of the exact amount authorized or that your financial institution may place hold for that amount. If you check out early, stay an extra night, or use more hotel services than estimated, the actual transaction amount (incoming clearing item) could differ significantly from the authorization memo posted amount. In some cases, the authorization memo posted amount could limit your purchasing power or funds availability. You may become aware of the difference between the authorized amount and the actual amount through Telephone Banking, ATM inquiry, or Online Banking inquiry.