Thinking about booking a stay at a Marriott property and wondering about those credit card holds? You've come to the right place! It's a common question, and understanding the process can save you from any surprises during your travels. Let's dive deep into how Marriott handles credit card holds, step by step.
The Mystery of the Hold: Why Hotels Do It
Before we get into the "how much," let's understand the "why." When you check into a hotel, they aren't just taking your card for payment at the end of your stay. They're typically performing a "pre-authorization" or placing a "hold" on your card. Think of it like a temporary reservation of funds on your credit limit. This isn't an actual charge, but it reduces your available credit by that amount.
Why do they do this?
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To Guarantee Payment for Room & Tax: This is the primary reason. The hotel wants to ensure you have the funds to cover the cost of your room and any applicable taxes for your entire stay.
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To Cover Incidentals: Ah, the "incidentals." This is a crucial part of the hold. Incidentals are any extra charges you might incur during your stay beyond the room rate. This can include:
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Room service
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Mini-bar purchases
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Restaurant and bar charges within the hotel
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Spa services
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Gift shop purchases charged to your room
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Damages to the room (though this is less common and usually handled separately if significant)
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Security and Peace of Mind: For the hotel, it's a way to mitigate risk and ensure they get paid for all services rendered.
Now that we know the "why," let's explore the "how much" and the process.
Tip: Check back if you skimmed too fast.
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| How Much Does The Marriott Hold On Your Credit Card |
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Marriott Credit Card Holds
Ready to demystify those pre-authorizations? Let's walk through it together!
Step 1: Engaging with the Booking Process (Before You Even Arrive!)
Hey there, future Marriott guest! Have you already picked your perfect Marriott property, or are you still Browse? Either way, this first step is crucial. The amount Marriott holds on your credit card can actually start to be influenced even before you set foot in the lobby.
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Booking Direct vs. Third-Party: Did you book directly through Marriott.com, the Marriott Bonvoy app, or a travel agent? Or did you use a third-party site like Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com?
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If you booked through a third party: Often, these sites require prepayment for the room rate upfront. However, even with prepayment, the hotel will still place a separate hold on your card at check-in for incidentals.
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If you booked direct with Marriott (Standard/Flex Rate): For many standard rates, you won't be charged for the room until checkout. In this case, the pre-authorization at check-in will include both the room rate and incidentals. If you booked a "prepaid" or "advance purchase" rate directly, the room rate will be charged at the time of booking, and then only an incidental hold will apply at check-in.
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Reviewing Rate Rules: Before you finalize your booking, take a moment to read the specific rate rules. Marriott is generally quite transparent about their policies. You'll often find details about deposits, cancellation policies, and when your card will be charged.
Tip: Slow down when you hit important details.
Step 2: The Check-In Authorization: The Main Event
This is where the primary credit card hold takes place.
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The Calculation: At check-in, the hotel's system will typically calculate a pre-authorization amount based on:
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Your Room Rate + Applicable Taxes for the Entire Stay: This is usually the largest component.
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An Incidental Amount Per Night: This is where the variability comes in!
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This amount varies significantly by property type, location, and even the specific hotel's policy.
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Luxury properties (like The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, St. Regis) will generally have higher incidental holds (e.g., $100-$250+ per night) due to the extensive services and amenities available.
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Mid-range and select-service hotels (like Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn) might have lower holds (e.g., $20-$50 per night).
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The incidental amount is often applied for the entire duration of your stay. So, if it's $50 per night for a 3-night stay, the incidental hold could be $150.
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Longer Stays: For extended stays (e.g., a week or more), some hotels might cap the initial hold and then process follow-up authorizations every few days. It's wise to inquire about this for longer trips.
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The Hold Itself: The total calculated amount will be placed as a pending authorization on your credit card. This means the funds are temporarily reserved and will reduce your available credit limit. It is NOT a charge yet.
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Debit Card vs. Credit Card: This is an extremely important distinction.
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Using a Credit Card: When a hold is placed on a credit card, it reduces your available credit. If the hold is more than your final bill, the unused portion is released by your bank typically within 3-5 business days after Marriott releases their hold.
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Using a Debit Card: If you use a debit card, the funds are actually deducted from your bank account and held by the bank. While technically still a "hold," it functions more like a temporary charge, and can tie up your actual cash. The release of these funds can take much longer (sometimes up to 10 business days or more) depending on your bank, even after the hotel releases the hold. For this reason, using a credit card for hotel stays is generally recommended to avoid tying up your liquid funds.
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Asking About the Hold: Don't be shy! When you check in, you can always politely ask the front desk agent:
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"What is the incidental hold amount per night?"
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"What will be the total pre-authorization amount for my stay?" This will give you clarity and help you manage your credit limit.
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Step 3: During Your Stay: The Flexibility of the Hold
The pre-authorization is designed to cover anything you might charge to your room.
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Charging to Your Room: Go ahead and enjoy that delicious room service or a drink at the hotel bar! As long as you charge it to your room, these expenses will accumulate against the pre-authorized amount.
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No Incidentals? No Problem! If you're a minimalist traveler and don't charge anything to your room, the incidental portion of your hold will simply be released at checkout (or shortly thereafter).
QuickTip: Break down long paragraphs into main ideas.
Step 4: Checkout and Release: The Final Settlement
This is the point where the temporary hold transforms into a final charge, and any excess funds are released.
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Final Bill Calculation: At checkout, the hotel tallies your final bill, which includes:
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Your room rate and taxes
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Any incidentals you charged to your room
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The Actual Charge: Your credit card will then be charged for this exact final amount.
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Release of Remaining Hold: If your final bill is less than the initial pre-authorization amount (which it likely will be if you didn't spend all of your incidental allowance), Marriott will send a release request to your bank for the difference.
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Bank Processing Time: This is often the most misunderstood part. While Marriott releases the hold almost immediately upon checkout, it is up to your bank to process that release and make the funds available again. This typically takes:
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Credit Cards: 3-5 business days, sometimes sooner.
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Debit Cards: 5-10 business days, or even longer in some cases. Weekends and holidays can extend this period.
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Checking Your Statement: Always review your credit card or bank statement after a hotel stay to ensure the correct final charge appears and the hold has been released. If you notice a significant delay, contact your bank first, and then the hotel if your bank confirms the hold is still active.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some common "How to" questions related to Marriott credit card holds, with quick answers:
1. How to find out the exact incidental hold amount for a specific Marriott hotel?
Tip: Read at your own pace, not too fast.
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The best way is to call the hotel directly and ask their front desk about their incidental hold policy per night. This can vary even within the same brand.
2. How to avoid a large incidental hold on my Marriott stay?
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You can politely ask the front desk at check-in if they can reduce the incidental hold, especially if you plan not to charge anything to your room. Some hotels might accommodate this for loyal guests or if you agree to pay cash for any incidentals.
3. How to ensure the hold is released quickly after checking out of Marriott?
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Unfortunately, the speed of release largely depends on your bank. Using a credit card instead of a debit card can significantly reduce the wait time. Always check out properly, even if you do so via the app, to ensure the hotel processes your departure.
4. How to check if Marriott has released the hold on my credit card?
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Monitor your online banking or credit card statement. The "pending" transaction for the hold should disappear, and only the final charged amount will remain. If it doesn't clear within 5-7 business days (for credit cards), contact your bank.
5. How to handle insufficient funds for a Marriott credit card hold?
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If your credit limit isn't high enough to cover the hold, you may not be able to check in. It's crucial to ensure you have sufficient available credit. You might be able to pay a cash deposit in some rare cases, but this is less common with Marriott.
6. How to use different cards for the room rate and incidentals at Marriott?
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Yes, you can typically provide one card for the room and tax at check-in and a different card for incidentals. Just inform the front desk agent of your preference.
7. How to dispute an incorrect charge or hold from a Marriott hotel?
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First, contact the hotel directly to discuss the discrepancy. Have your folio (receipt) and any relevant details ready. If the issue isn't resolved, then contact your credit card company to dispute the charge.
8. How to know if my Marriott reservation is prepaid or requires payment at checkout?
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This information is clearly stated during the booking process and in your confirmation email. Look for terms like "Prepaid," "Advance Purchase," or "Flexible Rate - Pay at Hotel."
9. How to get a physical receipt or folio for my Marriott stay?
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You can request a printed receipt at checkout from the front desk. Additionally, Marriott often emails your folio to the email address on file within a few hours of departure. You can also access past stays and folios through your Marriott Bonvoy account online.
10. How to contact Marriott customer service about a credit card hold issue?
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Start by contacting the specific hotel where you stayed. If the issue persists or you need further assistance, you can contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service through their official website or phone numbers.
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