The Mystery of the Marriott Deposit: How Long Do They REALLY Hold Your Money?
Ever checked into a Marriott, handed over your card, and then wondered, "Just how long is that pre-authorization going to sit on my account?" You're not alone! It's a common question, and one that can cause a fair bit of frustration, especially if you're managing a tight budget or have multiple hotel stays planned. Understanding Marriott's deposit hold policies is key to avoiding financial surprises and ensuring a smooth travel experience. So, let's dive deep into the world of Marriott deposits and unravel the mystery together!
Step 1: Understand the "Why" Behind Hotel Deposits
Before we talk about how long Marriott holds your deposit, let's quickly understand why they do it in the first place. This isn't just a random inconvenience; it serves a crucial purpose for hotels.
Covering Incidentals: Think about it – room service, mini-bar raids, pay-per-view movies, or even a forgotten toothbrush from the gift shop. These are "incidentals," and hotels need a way to ensure these charges are covered.
Damage Control: While we all strive to be respectful guests, accidents happen. A spilled drink on the carpet or an accidental breakage could incur costs. The deposit acts as a safeguard.
Guaranteeing Payment: For prepaid stays or award nights, the deposit ensures that if any additional charges are made, the hotel has a payment method on file.
Essentially, the deposit is a temporary security measure. It's not a charge yet, but a "hold" on a portion of your funds.
Step 2: Differentiating Between a "Hold" and a "Charge"
This is critical to understanding hotel deposits. Many people confuse the two, leading to unnecessary worry.
Pre-authorization (Hold): When you check into a Marriott, they typically place a pre-authorization on your credit or debit card. This means a specific amount of money is temporarily reserved from your available balance. It's not actually deducted from your account, but it reduces your available credit. Think of it like putting a sticky note on a stack of cash – it's still your money, but it's set aside for a specific purpose.
Actual Charge: The actual charge for your stay and any incidentals occurs only after you check out and the hotel finalizes your bill. At this point, the pre-authorization hold is released, and the final, accurate amount is debited from your account.
The key takeaway here is that during your stay, the "deposit" you see isn't money gone from your account; it's just temporarily inaccessible.
Step 3: Marriott's Typical Deposit Hold Duration
Now for the main event! How long does Marriott typically hold your deposit?
Post-Checkout Release: Generally, Marriott (and most hotels) will release the pre-authorization hold after you check out and your final bill has been settled. This usually happens within 1 to 2 business days from the hotel's side.
Bank Processing Time: Here's where the variation comes in. While Marriott releases the hold quickly, it then depends on your bank or credit card issuer to process that release and make the funds available in your account. This can take anywhere from 3 to 7 business days, and sometimes even up to 10 business days or more in rare cases. Debit card holds often take longer to clear than credit card holds.
Factors Influencing Duration:
Your Bank/Card Issuer: As mentioned, this is the biggest variable. Some banks are faster than others.
Type of Card: Credit card holds generally resolve quicker than debit card holds. When using a debit card, the funds are actually removed from your checking account, which can make the reversal process feel longer.
Length of Stay: Longer stays might have larger pre-authorization amounts, and sometimes take a tiny bit longer to finalize.
Individual Hotel Policy: While Marriott has a general policy, individual properties can have slight variations in their incidental hold amounts. It's always a good idea to confirm with the front desk if you have concerns.
Specific Rate Plans/Bookings: Some specialized bookings or prepaid rates might have different deposit procedures.
So, while Marriott aims for a quick release, plan for your bank to take a few extra days to reflect the funds back in your available balance.
Step 4: What to Do If Your Deposit Is Held Longer Than Expected
It happens! Sometimes, despite everyone's best intentions, a hold lingers. Don't panic; there are steps you can take.
Sub-heading: Action Plan for Delayed Holds
Review Your Bank Statement: First, confirm that it's still a pending hold and not an actual charge. Sometimes, the initial hold disappears, and the actual charge for your stay replaces it.
Contact the Marriott Property Directly:
Have your confirmation number, check-in/check-out dates, and the exact amount of the hold ready.
Explain that the pre-authorization has not been released.
Ask them to verify the release and provide any reference numbers for the transaction. They may need to manually submit a request for the hold to be released, especially if it's "Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy" properties, where manual intervention has been reported.
Contact Your Bank/Credit Card Company:
Once you've spoken with the hotel, if the hold still hasn't cleared, contact your bank.
Provide them with the details of the hold and any information the hotel gave you.
Your bank can often see the status of the pre-authorization and may be able to expedite the release or provide a more accurate timeframe for when it will drop off.
Utilize Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service: If direct communication with the property and your bank doesn't yield results, or if you're a Marriott Bonvoy member, you can reach out to Marriott's central customer service. They may be able to escalate the issue.
Be Patient (to a point): While frustrating, remember that these processes take time. Give it the stated 7-10 business days before becoming overly concerned. However, don't let it drag on indefinitely. Be proactive after that timeframe.
Step 5: Best Practices for Managing Hotel Deposits
To minimize any deposit-related headaches, consider these tips:
Use a Credit Card Over a Debit Card: This is perhaps the most important tip. When a pre-authorization is placed on a credit card, it only affects your credit limit. With a debit card, the funds are actually deducted from your checking account, making them inaccessible and potentially leading to overdrafts if your balance is low. Credit cards also offer better consumer protection and easier dispute resolution.
Inquire About the Deposit Amount: Before or at check-in, feel free to ask the front desk about their incidental hold policy and the specific amount they will authorize. This helps you plan your finances.
Monitor Your Account: Keep an eye on your online banking or credit card statements a few days after checkout to ensure the hold has been released.
Keep Records: Save your booking confirmation, check-in receipts, and any correspondence with the hotel regarding your stay and deposit. This information is invaluable if a dispute arises.
Consider "No Deposit" Options (If Available): Some smaller, independent hotels or specific booking types might offer "no deposit required" options. However, these are less common with major chains like Marriott.
Being informed and proactive can save you a lot of hassle down the line.
10 Related FAQ Questions (How To's)
Here are some common "How to" questions related to Marriott deposits:
How to find out the specific deposit amount for my Marriott stay?
The best way is to call the Marriott property directly before your arrival. While Marriott has general policies, incidental hold amounts can vary slightly by property, location, and room type. You can also ask at check-in.
How to avoid a deposit hold when checking into a Marriott?
Generally, you cannot entirely avoid a deposit hold at Marriott properties. It's a standard industry practice to cover potential incidentals or damages. However, using a credit card instead of a debit card means the funds aren't actually debited from your account, only held against your credit limit.
How to ensure my Marriott deposit is refunded quickly?
Ensure you leave the room in good condition with no outstanding charges. Check out properly (don't just leave). While the hotel processes the release quickly, the ultimate speed depends on your bank. Using a credit card typically results in faster release than a debit card.
How to check the status of my Marriott deposit refund?
First, check your online banking or credit card statement. If the hold hasn't been released after a few business days post-checkout, contact the Marriott property's accounting department. If needed, follow up with your bank.
How to dispute a Marriott deposit hold that hasn't been released?
If you've contacted the hotel and your bank without resolution, gather all your documentation (confirmation, check-out receipt, communication records) and formally dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank. They can initiate an investigation.
How to get a Marriott deposit back if I paid with a debit card?
The process is the same as with a credit card – the hotel releases the hold, and your bank then processes it. However, with a debit card, the funds were actually removed from your account, so it might take longer to see them back in your available balance. Be prepared for a wait of up to 7-10 business days.
How to know if Marriott charges a deposit or just a pre-authorization?
Marriott typically uses a pre-authorization (a temporary hold) rather than an upfront, actual "deposit" charge that is then refunded. The amount is held and then the final charge is processed after checkout.
How to handle multiple Marriott stays and their deposit holds?
If you have back-to-back Marriott stays, be mindful that each property will likely place a separate pre-authorization. Ensure you have sufficient available credit or funds to cover these temporary holds across all your bookings to avoid issues.
How to find Marriott's official deposit policy online?
Marriott's general terms and conditions, often found under "Digital Entry Terms of Use" or "Terms & Conditions" on their website, will outline their policies regarding pre-authorizations and incidentals. Specific property policies might be on their individual hotel pages.
How to minimize the amount of the incidental deposit at Marriott?
While the base incidental amount is often fixed by the hotel, you can sometimes inform the front desk upon check-in that you do not intend to use any chargeable amenities (mini-bar, room service, etc.). In some cases, and at the discretion of the hotel, they might reduce the incidental hold if you're not planning to incur extra charges. However, this is not guaranteed.
