Planning a Marriott stay and wondering when that charge will hit your card? It's a common question, and understanding Marriott's billing process can save you from unnecessary worry and help you manage your finances effectively. While there's no single, universal answer that applies to every single scenario, we can break down the typical timelines and factors that influence when Marriott charges your card.
Get Ready to Unravel the Mystery of Your Marriott Bill!
Have you ever checked out of a hotel, and then found yourself constantly refreshing your banking app, wondering when the final charge will appear? You're not alone! Marriott, like most hotel chains, has a specific process for handling payments, and it's designed to cover both your room rate and any additional expenses you might incur. Let's dive deep into understanding "how long does Marriott take to charge your card" so you can be a savvy traveler!
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| How Long Does Marriott Take To Charge Your Card |
Step 1: Understanding the Different Types of Charges
Before we talk about when you're charged, it's crucial to understand what you're being charged for. Marriott typically involves a few types of charges on your card:
Sub-heading: The Pre-Authorization Hold (The Initial "Ping")
When you check in, Marriott (or any hotel, for that matter) doesn't immediately charge you for your entire stay. Instead, they place a pre-authorization hold on your credit or debit card. Think of this as a temporary reservation of funds.
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What it covers: This hold typically covers your estimated room and tax charges for your entire stay, plus an additional amount for incidentals. Incidentals are those extra expenses you might rack up, like mini-bar purchases, room service, spa treatments, or even damages.
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Why they do it: This hold ensures that you have sufficient funds available to cover your stay and any potential additional charges, minimizing the hotel's risk.
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Important Note: This is not an actual charge. The money isn't removed from your account, but it does reduce your available credit or funds for the duration of the hold. The amount of this hold can vary significantly depending on the hotel's star rating, location, and internal policies, often ranging from $50 to $200 per night on top of your room rate.
Sub-heading: The Final Charge (The Actual Deduction)
This is the real deal. The final charge is when Marriott processes the actual payment for your stay.
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What it covers: This charge includes your confirmed room rate, taxes, any incidentals you actually incurred, and any applicable resort fees.
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When it happens: Generally, the final charge is processed at or shortly after your checkout.
Step 2: The Checkout Process and Charge Initiation
The moment you check out, whether in person at the front desk or via a mobile app, is usually when the hotel initiates the process of converting the pre-authorization hold into a final charge.
Sub-heading: In-Person Checkout
If you check out at the front desk, the hotel staff will finalize your bill, account for any incidentals, and then process the payment on the card you provided. At this point, they also typically send a request to your bank to release the initial pre-authorization hold.
QuickTip: Take a pause every few paragraphs.
Sub-heading: Mobile/Express Checkout
Many Marriott properties offer mobile checkout through the Marriott Bonvoy app. This streamlines the process, and the final charge will be processed based on your room folio. The hold release also occurs as part of this automated process.
Step 3: The Bank's Role in Processing the Charge and Releasing the Hold
Here's where the "how long" part gets a bit nuanced. While Marriott initiates the charge and hold release at checkout, your bank plays a significant role in how quickly these actions reflect on your statement.
Sub-heading: For the Final Charge
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Credit Cards: For credit cards, the final charge typically appears as a pending transaction within 24-48 hours of checkout and then posts as a settled charge within 2-5 business days.
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Debit Cards: Debit card transactions can sometimes take a bit longer to fully process. While the funds for the final charge might be deducted quickly, the transaction may not fully post to your statement for 3-7 business days, or in some cases, even up to 10 business days.
Sub-heading: For Releasing the Pre-Authorization Hold
This is often the most frustrating part for guests. Even after Marriott releases the hold, it's up to your bank to actually release those funds back to your available balance.
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Credit Cards: Holds on credit cards are usually released relatively quickly, often within 24-72 hours after checkout. However, some banks can take up to 7 business days to fully process the release.
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Debit Cards: This is where debit cards can be particularly problematic. Debit card holds can take significantly longer to be released, sometimes 5-10 business days, and in some anecdotal cases, even up to 30 days! This is because with a debit card, the funds are actually "held" from your available balance, unlike a credit card where it just reduces your available credit.
Step 4: Factors Influencing the Timeline
Several factors can affect how long it takes for Marriott to charge your card and for the hold to be released:
Sub-heading: Type of Card (Credit vs. Debit)
As highlighted above, debit cards almost always take longer for holds to be released and sometimes for charges to fully post. Credit cards are generally recommended for hotel stays to avoid tying up your actual cash funds.
Sub-heading: Your Bank's Policies
Every bank has its own internal processing times and policies for handling authorizations and charges. A large, international bank might have different processing speeds than a smaller, local credit union.
Tip: Stop when you find something useful.
Sub-heading: Weekend and Holiday Impact
Banks typically do not process transactions or release holds over weekends or public holidays. If you check out on a Friday, don't expect the hold to be released until the following Monday or Tuesday at the earliest.
Sub-heading: International vs. Domestic Stays
International transactions can sometimes take longer to process due to currency conversions and inter-bank transfers across different countries.
Sub-heading: Specific Hotel Policies
While Marriott has overarching policies, individual properties within the Marriott portfolio might have slight variations in their incidental hold amounts and the timing of their final charge processing.
Sub-heading: Third-Party Bookings
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If you booked your Marriott stay through a third-party website (like Expedia, Booking.com, etc.), the payment process might be different. Often, these third parties charge your card at the time of booking, and the hotel only places a hold for incidentals. Always check the terms and conditions of your booking platform.
Step 5: What to Do If You See Delays or Issues
It's normal to feel concerned if a charge isn't appearing or a hold isn't released as quickly as you expected. Here's a step-by-step guide on what to do:
Sub-heading: Give It Some Time
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Wait a reasonable period: For the final charge, allow 3-5 business days after checkout. For incidental holds on credit cards, give it up to 7 business days. For debit card holds, it could be up to 10 business days, sometimes more. Remember weekends and holidays.
Sub-heading: Check Your Marriott Account and Email
QuickTip: Don’t skim too fast — depth matters.
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Review your Marriott Bonvoy account: Often, your final bill will be available there.
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Check your email: Marriott typically sends an e-receipt after checkout.
Sub-heading: Contact the Hotel Directly
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If the charge still hasn't appeared or the hold hasn't been released after a reasonable waiting period, your first point of contact should be the hotel directly.
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Call the front desk or accounting department: They can verify the status of your payment and the hold release. Be sure to have your reservation number and dates of stay handy.
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Request a final invoice: If you haven't received one, ask them to send it to you.
Sub-heading: Contact Your Bank/Credit Card Company
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If the hotel confirms they have released the hold or processed the charge, and it's still not reflecting on your end, then the issue lies with your bank.
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Call your bank's customer service: Explain the situation, provide the transaction details, and ask them to investigate the hold or missing charge. They can often see the pending authorizations and clarify the timeline for release.
Sub-heading: Dispute a Charge (As a Last Resort)
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If you've exhausted all other avenues and believe there's an incorrect charge or a hold that's unduly long, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company. This should be a last resort after attempting to resolve it directly with Marriott and your bank.
Conclusion
While the exact timing can vary, understanding the typical Marriott billing process—from the initial pre-authorization hold to the final charge and eventual release of funds—can help manage your expectations. Patience is key, especially with debit card transactions and over weekends. By following the steps outlined above, you can confidently navigate the post-checkout period and ensure your Marriott experience is as smooth as possible, from booking to billing!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if Marriott has charged my card?
You can usually check your bank or credit card statement online for pending or posted transactions. Marriott also typically sends an e-receipt to your email after checkout, which will show the final charges. You may also be able to view your folio in your Marriott Bonvoy account.
How to get a receipt from Marriott after checking out?
Marriott usually emails your e-receipt automatically after you check out. If you don't receive it, you can request it from the hotel's front desk directly, or sometimes through your Marriott Bonvoy account online.
How to tell the difference between a pre-authorization and a final charge on my statement?
QuickTip: Go back if you lost the thread.
A pre-authorization will usually show as a "pending" transaction and might have a description like "hotel authorization" or "pre-auth." A final charge will be a "posted" transaction and will typically show the exact amount and the hotel's name.
How to avoid pre-authorization holds?
Generally, you cannot avoid pre-authorization holds entirely as they are standard hotel policy for incidentals. However, some hotels might waive them for high-tier loyalty members or if you explicitly state you will not use any incidentals and offer to pay for everything in cash. Using a credit card instead of a debit card is recommended to avoid tying up your actual funds.
How to get a Marriott incidental hold released faster?
Unfortunately, you have limited control over how quickly your bank releases the hold. You can try contacting your bank directly and explaining that the hotel has released the hold. Sometimes using the same card for both the hold and the final payment can streamline the process.
How to dispute an incorrect charge from Marriott?
First, contact the hotel directly and speak to the accounting department to explain the discrepancy. If unable to resolve, gather all documentation (receipts, booking confirmation) and contact your credit card company to dispute the charge.
How to find the contact number for a specific Marriott hotel?
You can typically find the contact number for any Marriott property on their official website (Marriott.com) by searching for the specific hotel.
How to understand the charges on my Marriott bill?
Your Marriott bill will typically break down charges into room rate, applicable taxes, any resort fees, and itemized incidentals (e.g., mini-bar, room service, parking). If anything is unclear, ask the front desk or accounting for clarification.
How to confirm if my Marriott Bonvoy points have posted after my stay?
Points usually post to your Marriott Bonvoy account within 10 business days after check-out. You can check your point activity by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account online or via the app.
How to handle a Marriott charge if I paid with a third-party booking site?
If you paid through a third-party site (like Expedia), they are usually the merchant of record, and your initial charge for the room will be from them. The hotel will only place an incidental hold. If you have issues with the initial room charge, contact the third-party booking site. For incidental charges or holds, contact the hotel directly.
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