How Long Does It Take for a Hotel to Charge Your Card?

Hotels use various payment processes, which can lead to confusion about the exact timing of charges. Knowing these procedures helps travelers anticipate financial impacts and avoid unexpected issues during or after a stay.

Pre-authorization Versus Actual Charge

A hotel frequently uses a “pre-authorization,” a temporary hold on funds on your credit or debit card. This is not an actual charge but a reservation of funds to ensure your payment method is valid and has sufficient funds for your stay and potential incidental expenses. Pre-authorizations reduce your available credit or debit card balance, but the money remains in your account. Hotels use this as a security measure to cover costs like room service, mini-bar usage, or potential damages.

An actual charge, in contrast, is the final transaction that permanently debits funds from your account. This occurs when the hotel processes the final bill for services rendered. The release of a pre-authorization can vary, typically taking a few business days, though some banks or card issuers might take longer, potentially up to 30 days.

Common Hotel Charging Scenarios

The timing of a hotel charge varies significantly based on booking terms and the stage of your stay. At the time of booking, a charge might occur immediately, especially for non-refundable rates or advance purchase deals. For other reservations, payment may be deferred until closer to check-in or upon arrival.

Upon check-in, hotels commonly process a pre-authorization on your card, which typically covers the room rate, taxes, and an additional amount for incidentals, often ranging from $50 to $200 per day. The actual charge for your stay usually occurs at or shortly after check-out, once all expenses, including room charges and any incidentals, are tallied.

Charges can also appear after you depart. These “post-departure charges” might be for:

• Mini-bar consumption
• Room service
• Damages to the room
• Unreturned property
• Late check-out fees not settled at departure

For no-shows or cancellations outside of the hotel’s policy, you may be charged for at least the first night, or in some cases, the full booking amount, depending on the reservation type and cancellation terms.

Factors Influencing Charge Timing

Several factors influence when a hotel charges your card. Hotel policies differ widely, with individual properties or larger chains having their own procedures regarding payment timing and pre-authorization amounts. Some hotels might charge a non-refundable deposit upfront, while others may only process a pre-authorization at check-in.

The method of booking also plays a role. Direct bookings through the hotel’s website might offer more flexible payment options compared to reservations made through third-party online travel agencies (OTAs). OTAs sometimes collect payment at booking, then pay the hotel, whereas direct bookings might allow payment at check-out. The type of payment method, whether a credit card or a debit card, can also affect the experience, as pre-authorizations on debit cards temporarily reduce available funds directly from your bank account, which can be more impactful than on a credit card’s available credit line.

Bank processing times also contribute to delays in seeing charges or releases reflected on your statement. Even after a hotel initiates a charge or releases a hold, your financial institution may take additional time, typically a few business days, to process and reflect these changes. The type of rate or reservation, such as a non-refundable advance purchase or a flexible rate, dictates whether payment is required upfront or later.

Monitoring Charges and Addressing Issues

Regularly monitor your online banking or credit card statements to track hotel charges. This allows you to identify when pending transactions convert to posted charges or when pre-authorization holds are released. Understanding the distinction between a “pending” charge, a temporary hold, and a “posted” charge, a finalized transaction, can help in managing your available funds. Most pending charges typically become posted within one to seven days, though hotel holds can sometimes remain pending for up to 30 days.

If a charge seems incorrect, unauthorized, or a pre-authorization hold persists longer than expected, first contact the hotel directly for clarification. Hotels can often resolve billing errors or provide details about unexpected charges. If direct communication with the hotel does not resolve the issue, contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute the charge. This process typically involves providing evidence and details of the disputed transaction.