You're about to embark on a fantastic journey, perhaps for business, leisure, or a special occasion, and you've chosen a Marriott property for your stay. Excellent choice! But before you fully immerse yourself in the comfort and luxury, a common question often arises: how much of a deposit does Marriott hold? This seemingly simple question actually has a few nuances, and understanding them can save you a lot of hassle. Let's break it down, step by step!
Demystifying Marriott's Deposit & Hold Policies: A Step-by-Step Guide
It's crucial to understand that hotels, including Marriott, typically employ two main types of financial safeguards: prepayments/deposits and incidental holds. They serve different purposes, and knowing the distinction is key to managing your finances effectively.
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| How Much Of A Deposit Does Marriott Hold |
Step 1: Understanding the "Why" Behind Hotel Holds (Engage!)
Have you ever wondered why hotels place a hold on your card, even if you've already paid for your room? It's not to be difficult, I promise! Imagine this: you check into your beautiful Marriott room. During your stay, you decide to indulge in some delicious room service, perhaps grab a few snacks from the minibar, or maybe even enjoy a relaxing spa treatment offered by the hotel. Or, heaven forbid, an unforeseen accident leads to minor damage in the room.
Without a hold on your card, the hotel would have no guarantee of payment for these "extras" or potential damages. It's their way of ensuring that any charges incurred beyond the room rate are covered. Think of it as a temporary line of credit extended to you during your stay.
Step 2: Differentiating Between Prepayments/Deposits and Incidental Holds
This is where many travelers get a bit confused. Let's clarify:
Sub-heading 2.1: Prepayments and Deposits for Room & Tax
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What it is: Some Marriott rates or packages require you to pay a portion or the full amount of your room and tax in advance. This isn't a "hold" but an actual charge to your card. This often applies to non-refundable rates, advance purchase rates, or group bookings.
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When it happens: This charge typically occurs at the time of booking or shortly thereafter, as per the specific rate rules you selected.
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How to know: When you book your reservation, the terms and conditions of the rate will explicitly state if a prepayment or deposit is required. Always read the fine print!
Sub-heading 2.2: The Ubiquitous Incidental Hold
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What it is: This is the more common "deposit" people refer to. It's a temporary authorization on your credit or debit card that covers potential extra charges or damages during your stay. The money isn't actually taken out of your account (if using a credit card), but it reduces your available credit. If using a debit card, the funds are indeed held by your bank, which can impact your available balance.
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When it happens: This hold is typically placed at check-in when you provide your payment method.
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What it covers:
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Mini-bar purchases: Those tempting little snacks and drinks.
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Room service: Late-night cravings or a leisurely breakfast in bed.
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Restaurant and bar charges: If you dine at the hotel's establishments and charge it to your room.
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Spa services, laundry, or other amenities: Any additional services offered by the hotel that you utilize.
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Potential damages: While rare for most guests, this covers accidental (or intentional) damage to the room or its contents.
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Smoking fees: If the hotel has a strict no-smoking policy and it's violated.
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Step 3: Determining the Amount of the Incidental Hold
QuickTip: Skim the intro, then dive deeper.
This is where it gets a bit less straightforward, as there's no single, fixed amount across all Marriott properties. The incidental hold amount varies significantly based on several factors:
Sub-heading 3.1: Hotel Brand and Tier
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Luxury Brands (e.g., The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, EDITION): These properties often have higher incidental holds due to the wider range of services and amenities available, and potentially higher costs associated with damages. You might see holds ranging from $100 to $250+ per night.
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Full-Service Brands (e.g., Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton, Westin): These typically fall in the middle, with holds often in the range of $50-$100 per night or a flat amount per stay.
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Select-Service and Extended-Stay Brands (e.g., Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn): These generally have lower incidental holds, sometimes as little as $20-$50 per night, as they offer fewer chargeable amenities.
Sub-heading 3.2: Length of Stay
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Some hotels might apply a per-night hold, meaning a hold of $X per night of your stay (e.g., $50/night for a 3-night stay would be a $150 hold).
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Others might have a flat hold per stay, regardless of the number of nights (e.g., a $100 hold for any stay duration).
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It's common for hotels to authorize the room and tax for your entire stay, plus the incidental hold. So, if your room is $200 per night for two nights ($400 total) and the incidental hold is $50 per night, the initial authorization could be $500.
Sub-heading 3.3: Hotel Specific Policies and Location
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Each individual Marriott property has the autonomy to set its own incidental hold policy within certain parameters. A Marriott in a high-demand city center might have a different policy than one in a quieter suburban area.
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Some hotels might even vary the hold amount based on whether you're using a credit card versus a debit card (more on this below).
Sub-heading 3.4: Elite Status (Sometimes a Factor)
While not a published policy, some anecdotal evidence suggests that long-standing or high-tier Marriott Bonvoy elite members might occasionally have incidental holds reduced or waived, as they are considered lower risk. However, do not count on this, and always be prepared for the full hold.
Step 4: How to Find Out the Exact Incidental Hold Amount
Since there's no universal figure, proactive inquiry is your best friend!
Sub-heading 4.1: Call the Hotel Directly
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This is the most reliable method. Before your trip, call the specific Marriott property you've booked. Ask the front desk about their incidental hold policy, including the exact amount per night or per stay. Be specific: "What is your incidental hold amount, and is it per night or a flat fee?"
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Pro Tip: Do this a few days before your arrival.
QuickTip: Skim the ending to preview key takeaways.
Sub-heading 4.2: Check Your Booking Confirmation
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Sometimes, the booking confirmation email or the details on the Marriott website for your specific reservation might include information about incidental holds. However, this isn't always explicitly stated.
Step 5: Understanding the Impact of Credit vs. Debit Cards
This is a critical distinction, especially for incidental holds:
Sub-heading 5.1: Using a Credit Card
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When a hold is placed on a credit card, the funds are authorized, not immediately charged. This means the amount is temporarily deducted from your available credit limit.
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Benefit: Your actual bank balance isn't affected.
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After Checkout: Once you check out and your final bill is settled (and assuming no additional charges or damages), the hold is typically released. This usually happens within 1-5 business days, but it can sometimes take longer depending on your bank's processing times. You might not even notice the hold if your credit limit is high.
Sub-heading 5.2: Using a Debit Card (Use with Caution!)
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When a hold is placed on a debit card, the funds are actually removed from your bank account and held by the bank. This reduces your immediately available cash balance.
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Risk: If the hold is significant and your account balance is low, it could lead to overdraft fees or cause other transactions to be declined.
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After Checkout: The refund process for a debit card hold can take much longer than for a credit card, often anywhere from 3-10 business days, or even up to two weeks in some cases, as the money has to be returned to your account. This can be problematic if you need those funds immediately.
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Recommendation: It is highly recommended to use a credit card for hotel incidentals whenever possible. If you only have a debit card, ensure you have more than enough funds to cover the hold plus your expected expenses, and be prepared for the funds to be inaccessible for several days post-checkout.
Step 6: What Happens When You Check Out?
Sub-heading 6.1: Final Settlement
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At checkout, the hotel finalizes your bill. Any charges you incurred (room service, minibar, etc.) are added to your room rate.
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If your final bill is less than the incidental hold, the difference is released back to your card.
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If your final bill is more than the incidental hold, the hotel will charge your card for the additional amount.
Sub-heading 6.2: Release of the Hold
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The hotel sends a release message to your bank.
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The time it takes for the funds to become available again depends on your bank and whether you used a credit or debit card (as discussed in Step 5).
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If you don't see the hold released within a reasonable timeframe (e.g., 5-7 business days for credit cards, 10-14 for debit cards), contact your bank first, then the hotel if your bank confirms the hold is still active.
Step 7: Tips for Managing Hotel Holds
QuickTip: Don’t ignore the small print.
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Always ask at check-in: "What is your incidental hold amount, and when can I expect it to be released?"
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Use a credit card: Seriously, if you have one, use it for hotel stays to avoid tying up your cash.
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Monitor your statements: Keep an eye on your credit card or bank statements to ensure the hold is released promptly after checkout.
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Budget accordingly: Factor in the potential incidental hold when planning your travel budget.
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Consider a lower-tier hotel: If minimizing holds is a priority, consider Marriott's more budget-friendly brands like Fairfield Inn or TownePlace Suites, which typically have lower holds.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Marriott deposits and holds, with quick answers:
How to find out the exact incidental hold amount for my Marriott reservation?
Quick Answer: The most reliable way is to call the specific Marriott hotel directly a few days before your arrival and ask the front desk about their incidental hold policy.
How to avoid an incidental hold at Marriott?
Quick Answer: Generally, you cannot avoid an incidental hold at Marriott or most major hotels, as it's standard procedure. However, if you explicitly state at check-in that you will not be charging anything to the room and will pay for any incidentals immediately, some hotels might reduce or waive the hold, but this is entirely at their discretion and not guaranteed.
How to ensure my incidental hold is released quickly?
Quick Answer: Use a credit card instead of a debit card, as credit card holds are typically released faster (1-5 business days). Ensure your final bill is settled completely upon checkout.
How to get my debit card incidental hold back faster from Marriott?
Quick Answer: Unfortunately, the speed of a debit card hold release is largely dependent on your bank's processing times. You can call your bank a few business days after checkout to inquire about the hold and its status.
QuickTip: Stop to think as you go.
How to know if Marriott has taken a deposit or a hold?
Quick Answer: A deposit or prepayment for the room rate is an actual charge on your statement, often occurring at booking. An incidental hold is a temporary authorization that reduces your available credit (credit card) or ties up funds (debit card) and typically appears as a "pending" transaction.
How to deal with an unexpectedly high incidental hold at Marriott?
Quick Answer: Speak to the front desk manager upon check-in. Explain your concern and ask if there's any flexibility, especially if you plan not to use any chargeable amenities. However, be prepared that they may not be able to change the policy.
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points without an incidental hold?
Quick Answer: Even if you're staying on points, Marriott will still place an incidental hold on your credit or debit card to cover any charges not covered by your points (like minibar, room service, etc.). The hold policy remains the same.
How to pay for Marriott incidentals without a credit card hold?
Quick Answer: You can choose to pay for any incidentals (e.g., minibar, room service) in cash or with a separate payment method at the time of consumption. However, the hotel may still require a hold as a general security measure.
How to check the status of a Marriott incidental hold after I've checked out?
Quick Answer: Check your credit card or bank statement online for pending transactions. If you don't see the hold released within a few business days (credit) or up to two weeks (debit), contact your card issuer first, then the specific Marriott hotel.
How to prepare for a Marriott stay regarding deposits and holds?
Quick Answer: Call the hotel beforehand to confirm their incidental hold amount, use a credit card if possible, budget for the hold amount, and keep an eye on your bank/credit card statements after checkout.
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