We've all been there: you check into a hotel, hand over your credit card, and suddenly see a "pending" charge that's more than just the room rate. What's going on here? If you're staying at a Marriott property, this is a very common and expected practice known as a pre-authorization or a hold on your card. It's not a charge (yet!), but it definitely impacts your available credit.
Let's dive deep into how much Marriott typically holds on your card, why they do it, and what you need to know to avoid any surprises.
Understanding the Marriott Credit Card Hold: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Engage Your Curiosity! Have you ever noticed an unexpected "pending" charge after checking into a hotel, even when you've already paid or are using points?
If your answer is "yes," then you're already familiar with the concept we're about to unravel. If "no," then prepare for some valuable insights that will make your future Marriott stays even smoother! This initial hold is a standard procedure across the hotel industry, and Marriott is no exception. It's their way of ensuring they're covered for potential additional costs beyond just your room.
Step 2: What Exactly is a "Hold" or "Pre-Authorization"?
It's crucial to understand that a pre-authorization is not a direct charge to your credit card. Instead, it's a temporary block of funds placed by the hotel on your card. Think of it like this: the hotel is telling your bank, "Hey, hold this amount aside for us, just in case." This reduces your available credit by that amount, but the money isn't actually transferred from your account to the hotel's until your final bill is settled.
Why Do Hotels Do This? The Purpose Behind the Pre-Authorization
Marriott, like most hotel chains, uses pre-authorizations for a few key reasons:
To Cover Incidentals: This is the primary reason. "Incidentals" refer to any charges you might incur during your stay that aren't included in the base room rate. This can include:
Room service
Mini-bar purchases
On-demand movies
Spa treatments
Laundry services
Gift shop purchases charged to your room
Restaurant and bar tabs within the hotel
Damages to the room or property
To Guarantee Payment: Even if you've prepaid for your room or are using Marriott Bonvoy points for a "free" night, the pre-authorization ensures there's a valid payment method on file to cover any additional expenses or unforeseen circumstances.
To Verify Your Card: It's a quick way for the hotel to confirm that your credit card is active and has sufficient funds or credit available.
Step 3: How Much Does Marriott Typically Hold? The Variable Amount
There isn't one fixed amount that Marriott holds on every card for every stay. The amount can vary significantly based on several factors:
Factors Influencing the Hold Amount:
Hotel Brand and Tier:
Luxury Brands (e.g., The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, EDITION) will generally have higher incidental holds due to the higher potential cost of services and amenities.
Mid-Range Brands (e.g., Marriott Hotels, Renaissance Hotels) will have moderate holds.
Select Service Brands (e.g., Courtyard, Fairfield Inn) will typically have lower holds.
Length of Stay: The longer your stay, the higher the total pre-authorization will likely be, as the incidental amount is often calculated per day. For example, a common range for incidentals is $25-$200 per night, but it can even reach $300 or more per night at high-end properties.
Location of the Hotel: Hotels in major metropolitan areas or popular tourist destinations might have higher holds than those in more rural or less expensive areas.
Specific Hotel Policy: Each individual Marriott property might have its own specific policy regarding the exact incidental hold amount. It's not always a corporate-wide standard.
Guest's History (Less Common but Possible): While not a primary factor, in rare cases, a hotel might adjust a hold based on previous issues with a guest, though this is not standard practice.
Example Scenario:
Let's say you're staying at a Marriott for 3 nights at a room rate of $200 per night, and the hotel has an incidental hold policy of $50 per day.
Room & Tax: $200 x 3 = $600
Incidental Hold: $50 x 3 = $150
Total Pre-Authorization on Card: $750 (This is the amount that would be temporarily held, in addition to the room rate if you hadn't prepaid).
Step 4: Credit Card vs. Debit Card: A Crucial Distinction
This is perhaps the most important point to understand when it comes to hotel holds.
Credit Cards: When a hold is placed on a credit card, the funds are simply reserved from your available credit limit. Your bank account balance isn't directly affected, and you won't see money leave your account. This is generally the recommended method for hotel stays.
Debit Cards: Using a debit card for a pre-authorization means the funds are actually deducted from your bank account and held by your bank. This can reduce your available cash balance and, in some cases, even lead to overdraft fees if you're not careful. The money is essentially inaccessible to you until the hold is released.
Always use a credit card if possible when checking into a hotel to avoid tying up your actual cash funds.
Step 5: How Long Does the Hold Last? The Release Process
The hold typically remains on your card until you check out and your final bill is settled. At that point, any actual charges you've incurred will be applied, and the remaining portion of the pre-authorized amount will be released.
However, the time it takes for the hold to actually disappear from your available credit (or for the funds to reappear in your debit account) can vary:
Marriott's Release: Marriott usually releases the hold almost immediately upon checkout.
Your Bank's Processing Time: This is where the variability comes in. It can take your bank anywhere from:
3 to 7 business days for credit cards.
Up to 14 business days (or even longer, in rare cases up to 30 days) for debit cards. This is because banks treat debit card holds more like completed transactions.
Remember: Weekends and holidays do not count as business days, so if you check out on a Friday, the hold might not start processing until the following Monday.
What if the Hold Lingers?
If you find that a hold is taking an unusually long time to be released, here's what you can do:
Check Your Bank Statement/App: First, verify that it's still showing as a "pending" transaction and hasn't actually posted as a charge.
Contact the Hotel Directly: Have your reservation details and the pre-authorization amount ready. They can confirm when they released the hold.
Contact Your Bank/Credit Card Issuer: If the hotel confirms release and the hold is still active, your bank is likely the one delaying the process. Provide them with the transaction details and the date the hotel confirmed release.
Step 6: Tips for Managing Hotel Holds
To ensure a smooth and stress-free check-in experience at Marriott, consider these tips:
Inquire About the Hold Amount: Don't be afraid to ask the front desk at check-in how much they plan to pre-authorize for incidentals. This information is usually available and can help you plan your finances.
Understand Your Credit Limit: Be aware of your credit card's available limit, especially if you have a lower limit or plan on making other significant purchases during your trip. A large hold could temporarily impact your ability to use your card.
Consider a Higher Credit Limit (for frequent travelers): If you travel often and stay in hotels, having a credit card with a sufficiently high limit can prevent issues with pre-authorizations.
Use a Different Card for Incidentals (if preferred): You can ask the hotel if you can put a different card on file specifically for incidentals, separate from the one used for the room rate.
Minibar Awareness: Be mindful of mini-bar consumption. Those small items can add up quickly and contribute to the incidentals charged against your hold.
Keep Your Receipts: Always keep track of any charges you make to your room. This will help you reconcile your bill at checkout.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to Check My Available Credit After a Marriott Hold?
You can check your available credit by logging into your online banking portal or credit card app, or by calling your bank or credit card issuer directly. The pre-authorized amount will be subtracted from your total credit limit.
How to Avoid a Marriott Hold on My Card Entirely?
Generally, it's not possible to avoid a pre-authorization hold for incidentals at Marriott properties, as it's standard policy. Some smaller, independent hotels might not have such a policy, but for major chains like Marriott, it's expected.
How to Speed Up the Release of a Marriott Hold?
While you can't directly speed up your bank's processing time, ensure a smooth checkout with no outstanding charges. If the hold lingers unusually long, contact the hotel first to confirm release, then your bank.
How to Know the Exact Incidental Hold Amount Before Checking In?
The best way is to call the specific Marriott property directly a day or two before your arrival and ask about their incidental hold policy. It's often difficult to find this specific information online for every property.
How to Pay for Incidentals Without a Hold on My Card?
You can choose to pay for any incidental charges in cash or with a separate card at the time of purchase, rather than charging them to your room. However, the initial pre-authorization hold will still likely be placed at check-in.
How to Handle a Marriott Hold if I'm Using a Debit Card?
If you must use a debit card, ensure you have more than enough funds in your account to cover both the room rate and the estimated incidental hold, plus any other planned expenses. Be prepared for the funds to be inaccessible for several business days after checkout.
How to Distinguish a Pre-Authorization from an Actual Charge?
On your bank statement or credit card activity, a pre-authorization will usually show as "pending" or "authorized." An actual charge will be "posted" or "cleared" and will have a transaction date.
How to Dispute an Incorrect Marriott Incidental Charge?
If you believe there's an error on your bill or an incorrect incidental charge, immediately speak to the front desk before checking out. If you've already checked out, contact the hotel directly to resolve the issue. Keep all your receipts.
How to Use Marriott Bonvoy Points and Still Deal with a Hold?
Even when redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points for a free night, a credit card will still be required at check-in for the incidental hold. This is to cover any charges not covered by your points redemption.
How to Find Marriott's Official Policy on Credit Card Holds?
Marriott's official terms regarding credit and debit card processing can often be found in their "Digital Entry Terms of Use" or "Terms & Conditions" on their website, though specific amounts are usually property-dependent. Look for sections on "Credit and Debit Card Processing" or "Pre-authorization."
