When you book a stay at a hotel like Marriott, or make a purchase that requires a security deposit, the merchant often places a hold on a certain amount of your available credit. This is also known as a pre-authorization hold.
A credit card hold is a way for the hotel to guarantee they’ll be able to collect payment for any charges incurred during your stay, including room fees, taxes, and incidental expenses such as room service, restaurant bills, or damage to the room. The amount of the hold can vary, but it’s usually equal to the estimated total cost of your stay, plus a little extra for potential incidental charges.
For example, if you’re staying for three nights and the room rate is $100 per night, Marriott might place a hold of $350 on your card ($300 for the room and an additional $50 for incidentals). This means that $350 of your credit limit on that card will be temporarily unavailable for other purchases.
These holds are typically removed within a few days of checking out, assuming you’ve paid your bill in full. However, the exact timeframe can depend on the hotel’s policies and the practices of your bank or credit card issuer.
If you’re using a credit card from Marriott Bonvoy, or any other card, the same rules apply. Credit card holds are a standard practice in the hotel industry, regardless of the card you’re using.
- What is a credit card hold? A credit card hold, also known as a pre-authorization hold, is a temporary freeze on a certain amount of your available credit. It’s a way for businesses like hotels to guarantee payment for services.
- How long does a credit card hold last? The length of a credit card hold can vary depending on the hotel’s policy and your bank’s processing times. Holds are often removed within a few days of checking out, but it can sometimes take longer.
- Does a credit card hold impact my credit score? A credit card hold itself does not impact your credit score. However, if the amount of your credit card holds combined with your existing balance pushes you close to your credit limit, it could temporarily increase your credit utilization ratio, which can affect your score.
- Can I use a debit card instead of a credit card for a hotel hold? Many hotels do accept debit cards, but keep in mind that the hold will restrict access to your own money in your checking account rather than your credit limit.
- What happens if I don’t have enough credit available for the hold? If you don’t have enough available credit for the hold, the hotel may not allow you to check in until you provide another form of payment or reduce the amount of the hold.
- Can I decline a credit card hold? Credit card holds are a standard part of hotel policies, so you can’t typically decline them. However, some hotels might offer alternatives, such as a cash deposit.
- What should I do if a hold is not removed from my account? If a hold is not removed in a reasonable time after you’ve checked out and paid your bill, contact the hotel to ask them to release the hold. If they’ve already done so, contact your credit card issuer.