Block of rooms, credit card?

Cokezerofreak · November 2013

Hi all:

I started to call around this past weekend for a block of rooms in my area. Since everyone has told me they'd like to make it a family vacation (coming to Orlando), I called Disney. They sent me the proposal yesterday and require that I give them a credit card in case someone doesn't pay for something. Is this normal for a block of rooms? And no freebies (shuttle, room, etc.).

daria24 · November 2013

No freebies is common, in my experience.

But requiring a credit card is unusual. Are they requiring a minimum occupancy (ie, your block is 20 rooms, you are required to fill at least 15 of them, or be charged for anything less than 15 rooms).

Cokezerofreak · November 2013

Not requiring a minimum, just an in case someone doesn't pay anything but they'll warn you before they charge your CC.

misssunshine17 · November 2013

I think it is unusual, but sounds like, in this case, a legit way to go about it. It's not like they're saying you must pay for all X rooms if you block off however many.

CLI242009 · November 2013

It might be unusual but for a place like Orlando/Disney, I'm not at all surprised. Most places allow you to do two types of blocks: a) set of rooms where you don't put a CC down or have to pay anything, no minimum, maximum, fees, etc. b) you get charged a fee and the rooms are yours. So this for this location I wouldn't say this is unusual.

Depending on your wedding date, they would of course want to make sure they get the money for the rooms they would be blocking off for your wedding. Rooms they would of been able to get full price for because of the location. (again depends on your date/time of year that I say this). Just seeing this from the hotel business point of view.

I would definitely and thoroughly read that contract before signing. Don't make any assumptions, if there is something you're not clear on, ask for them to clarify what it means.

SBmini · November 2013

I don't understand how someone won't pay for something since they would take your guest's card upon check in for that same exact reason. I personally would be really hesitant to hand out my credit card information to cover guest expenses. That could be a real unexpected expense depending on how they use it. I suggest you call and ask more about the hold.

We didn't have to give a card for our room block.

Cokezerofreak · November 2013

CLI242009 it's your option "a" with us putting down a credit card on top of the guest reservations.

@SBmini that's why I asked because I am hesitant and honesty can't afford more expenses. I'll see what they say to make sure I didn't misunderstand the proposal but it was pretty clear.

Thank you all.

CLI242009 · November 2013

Cokezerofreak said:

CLI242009 it's your option "a" with us putting down a credit card on top of the guest reservations.

@SBmini that's why I asked because I am hesitant and honesty can't afford more expenses. I'll see what they say to make sure I didn't misunderstand the proposal but it was pretty clear.

Thank you all.

I'm confused then. If it's my option A that i described, why are you having to put a CC down?! I work in a hotel and we have either option available. Usually brides for short notice weddings, like less than 3 months in the middle of the wedding season, we have take a cc to reserve the rooms she would like because she might not have rooms if she doesn't hurry. Plus also, like I said, the rooms would sell because of our location.

To add to SBmini's comment - if your hotel(s) are saying that this is the only way to get a room block. I would keep track of how many rooms you have and how many rooms are booked vs not booked. Keep a very close eye on it. ALSO, in your contract, for the room block, have it say SOMEWHERE, that guests are responsible for all of their charges. (room, tax, incidentals)

Also make sure you word your accommodations correctly. Don't say anything like "booked rooms for our guests" "reserved rooms for our guests" "made accommodations"- that can give the impression that you have reserved (put down your CC) for guest rooms. I only say this from experience. It is not fun having to track down the mother of the bride or groom to clear this up on the day of the wedding >.> (this is because the guest insisted, we the staff did not want to do this).

My FI and I worded our accommodations with "We have had rooms set aside at a discounted price for our guests. Please call ____ to make your reservations."

We have couples who do things for certain guests but we will leave notes on the INDIVIDUAL reservation not the group block.

I hope this all makes sense. I'm trying to help out really, not confuse you with my gibberish lol

NYCBruin · November 2013

SBmini said:

I don't understand how someone won't pay for something since they would take your guest's card upon check in for that same exact reason. I personally would be really hesitant to hand out my credit card information to cover guest expenses. That could be a real unexpected expense depending on how they use it. I suggest you call and ask more about the hold.

We didn't have to give a card for our room block.

This was my exact thought.

Something seems really off about this arrangement.

Cokezerofreak · November 2013

CLI242009 We are calling around to some non-Disney ones to see what they say. A co-worker thinks it's a new Disney policy since they now require a credit card for restaurant reservations that they didn't require before. Apparently people were reserving multiple restaurants at the same time then deciding that day which one to go to.

And this:

"Also make sure you word your accommodations correctly. Don't say anything like "booked rooms for our guests" "reserved rooms for our guests" "made accommodations"- that can give the impression that you have reserved (put down your CC) for guest rooms. I only say this from experience. It is not fun having to track down the mother of the bride or groom to clear this up on the day of the wedding >.> (this is because the guest insisted, we the staff did not want to do this).

My FI and I worded our accommodations with "We have had rooms set aside at a discounted price for our guests. Please call ____ to make your reservations." "

First thought in my mind even before we started to call around. There are some family members that will get "confused" if it's not worded correctly (if they come, I already got a cousin saying she probably can't make it after I told her she couldn't stay at my house.)

Thanks everyone!

Cokezerofreak · November 2013

CLI242009 We are calling around to some non-Disney ones to see what they say. A co-worker thinks it's a new Disney policy since they now require a credit card for restaurant reservations that they didn't require before. Apparently people were reserving multiple restaurants at the same time then deciding that day which one to go to.

And this:

"Also make sure you word your accommodations correctly. Don't say anything like "booked rooms for our guests" "reserved rooms for our guests" "made accommodations"- that can give the impression that you have reserved (put down your CC) for guest rooms. I only say this from experience. It is not fun having to track down the mother of the bride or groom to clear this up on the day of the wedding >.> (this is because the guest insisted, we the staff did not want to do this).

My FI and I worded our accommodations with "We have had rooms set aside at a discounted price for our guests. Please call ____ to make your reservations." "

First thought in my mind even before we started to call around. There are some family members that will get "confused" if it's not worded correctly (if they come, I already got a cousin saying she probably can't make it after I told her she couldn't stay at my house.)

Thanks everyone!

CLI242009 · November 2013

You're welcome ^_^ good luck with the planning.

erinlin25 · November 2013

we blocked 3 hotels--2 regular ones and 1 "resort" style casino/hotel. The resort hotel made us put a cc on file to reserve the block. It did not run any money or anything like that and our contract had a box saying each guest was responsible for there own payment. come wedding weekend our card was only charged for our room.

Block of rooms, credit card?

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