Priceline Hotel: Incidental Fees

[Tnhopeful]

I am getting ready to book a 4 star hotel in the Atlanta downtown area. I wanted to know if anybody had any information on the incidental fees. How do they work? I'm asking because I'm a student and don't want to have a hold placed on my bank card for a ridiculous amount of money. I plan on paying cash for the parking if that has any involvement in helping answer this question.

[thereuare]

I think you're confusing two different issues above (and i'm not sure which you're really asking about)...

1) in addition to your PRICELINE / HOTWIRE purchase, some hotels will charge additional fees (such as Resort fees, as one example) which are in addition to your room purchase price and paid directly to the hotel.

2) when you check-in a hotel will place a 'hold' on your credit card to ensure that you don't damage the room, empty the mini-bar without paying for it, remove items from the room, in-room movies, etc, etc. This amount differs from hotel-to-hotel, and some will allow you to leave a cash deposit in lieu of a charge card (although i don't recommend it)... if you have an extra credit card which you don't use much (or at all) i would bring that and use that for the 'deposit'. Whenever possible i would avoid using a debit card (not just for hotel deposits/transations... as credit cards typically come with many more safeguards for consumers then debit cards)

If/when you're ready to move forward let us know the parameters of your trip (dates, zones, desired star rating, budget, etc) and we'll try to assist further.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[Tnhopeful]

I'm arrivng Jan 27th leaving Jan 29th. I plan on staying in downtown Atlanta in the 4 star hotel class. I don't have any credit cards. Trying to hold off until I finish school. I was trying to get an idea on how much I should put to the side for them. I have a extra debit card I can place the money on to use just for checking in since the room will be paid.

[thereuare]

The amount of the hold really depends upon the hotel as the policy is different from one policy to the next... i've seen it be as low as $50 to $300. While it's not guaranteed to be an exhaustive list, you call each of the 4* properties reported to the board in this zone (see the Priceline Hotel List) and ask how much of a 'hold' is put on your debit card and if that is per nite or per stay. If the amount is very high you can ask if a cash deposit can be used and if the pricing is any different (if the pricing is the same i'd use a debit card vs. cash as at least then you do get some protection from your bank should there be any charges you don't agree with)

Let us know if/when you're ready to move forward, along with your maximum bid for a 4* hotel, and we'll advise accordingly.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.