How Much Does Marriott Hold When Checking In? Answer is – Marriott hotels place a temporary hold on your credit or debit card when you check in as a security deposit. This hold typically covers the cost of your room, taxes, and a daily amount for potential incidentals (like room service, minibar charges, etc.). The specific amount varies by hotel, but you can expect it to be at least the cost of one night’s stay plus an additional $50-$100 per day.

How Much Does Marriott Hold When Checking In?

What are hotel check-in holds?

When you arrive at a hotel, you might be surprised to find that the front desk places a temporary hold on your credit or debit card.

This is standard practice called a hotel check-in hold. It acts as a security deposit, ensuring the hotel can recoup costs if you incur unexpected charges during your stay.

Think of it like this: the hotel extends you a line of credit. They trust you to pay for your room, but this hold protects them against:

• Incidentals: Charges like room service, minibar purchases, spa services, or pay-per-view movies.
• Potential Damage: Hotels hold funds in case of accidental or intentional damage to the room.
• Unpaid Balances: This can cover any outstanding charges you might have at check-out, even if you intended to pay them.

Why does Marriott implement holds?

Marriott, like most hotel chains, uses holds for several reasons:

Protection against Loss: Guests occasionally leave without paying their bills or cause damage that exceeds their initial deposit (if any). Holds mitigate these financial risks for the hotel.

Streamlined Billing: At checkout, the hotel can easily apply any outstanding charges to the held amount. This speeds up the process for you and ensures the hotel doesn’t miss any incidental charges.

Convenience: Using your card on file for incidentals is more convenient than requiring payment for each individual service during your stay.

How Much Does Marriott Hold?

Unfortunately, there’s no single, universal answer as Marriott’s hold amounts vary depending on several factors. However, a general guideline is to expect a hold equivalent to at least one night’s room rate, plus taxes, and an additional $50-$100 per day of your stay intended to cover incidental charges.

Here’s why the amount isn’t fixed:

1. Factors influencing hold amounts

Hotel Brand and Location: High-end Marriott properties (like Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis) tend to have larger holds due to the potential for pricier incidental expenses. Additionally, hotels in resort areas or major cities often place higher holds.

Length of Stay: Longer stays logically mean a higher potential for incidental charges, thus increasing the hold amount.

Individual Hotel Policies: Even within the Marriott chain, individual hotels have some flexibility in setting their hold policies.

2. Typical hold amounts to expect

While exact figures vary, here’s a general idea of what you might encounter:

Budget-friendly Marriott brands (Fairfield Inn, Courtyard, etc): Holds may start around the cost of one night’s stay plus a $50 daily incidental allowance.

Luxury Marriott brands (JW Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, etc): Holds can easily be several hundred dollars, reflecting the cost of the room and anticipated guest spending on amenities.

3. Differences between credit card holds and debit card holds

Credit Cards: Holds reduce your available credit limit but don’t immediately impact your bank balance. This is generally the preferred option for minimizing disruptions in your finances.

Debit Cards: Holds directly freeze funds in your checking account. This means you cannot access that money until the hold is released, even if you have sufficient overall balance. Use debit cards for hotel check-ins with caution.

What Does This Mean for You

1. How holds impact available funds

The most significant point to remember is that hotel holds reduce your immediately accessible funds.

Debit Cards: The hold amount is directly deducted from your available balance in your checking account. This means you cannot access or use that money until the hotel releases the hold after your stay.

Credit Cards: The hold lowers your available credit limit. If you have upcoming purchases or planned to use your card extensively during the trip, a large hold could restrict your spending ability.

2. Importance of budgeting for the hold

Failing to account for a hold can unexpectedly derail your travel budget. Here’s what to do:

Inquire in Advance: Before your stay, contact the Marriott hotel to find out their specific hold policy.

Factor the Hold into your Budget: When planning your trip expenses, set aside an amount equal to the anticipated hold. Remember, this money is temporarily unavailable, so don’t plan on spending it elsewhere during your trip.

Consider Unexpected Charges: It’s wise to budget slightly above the anticipated hold amount in case of any unforeseen room service orders or surprise fees.

3. Tips on managing holds

Here’s how to minimize the impact of holds on your finances:

Use a Credit Card (if possible): Credit card holds generally present less disruption, as they only impact your credit limit rather than your immediate cash flow. Choose a card with ample available credit.

Communicate with the Hotel: Upon check-in, inquire about the exact amount of the hold and the estimated release timeline after your departure.

Be Mindful of Spending: While it’s tempting to use your card freely for hotel incidentals, remember that these charges accumulate and will be settled against the hold at checkout. Stay aware of your spending to avoid surprises.

Opt for Partial Prepayment (if possible): Some hotels may allow you to prepay a portion of your stay. This reduces the amount they need to hold at check-in.

Settle Your Bill Early (if possible): If you plan to leave before your scheduled departure date, try to settle your bill to get the hold released sooner.

FAQs

How long does the hold last?

Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Typically, the hold is released within a few days of your checkout date. However, the exact timing depends on your bank or credit card issuer’s processing speed. In some cases, it might take up to a week or even longer for the funds to become available again.

It’s best to contact your card issuer directly for their specific hold release policies. To play it safe, assume the hold may last for at least a week after your departure and budget accordingly.

Can I avoid the hold?

In most cases, it’s difficult to completely avoid a hold at check-in. However, there are a few things you might try:

• Prepayment: Contact the hotel to see if you can prepay for all or part of your stay. This reduces the amount they need to hold as a security deposit.
• Negotiate a Lower Hold: While not guaranteed, you can try speaking to a hotel manager and explaining your situation (e.g., tight budget, debit card limitations). They might be able to authorize a smaller hold amount.
• Alternative Payment Methods: Some hotels may accept cash deposits, though this is becoming less common. Inquire with the specific property.

What if there are unexpected charges?

If you notice charges on your final bill that you do not recognize:

• Dispute Them Immediately: Bring these concerns to the hotel front desk before checkout. Be clear and provide supporting details (like dates and times of services you don’t believe you used).
• Request Documentation: Ask for receipts or an itemized breakdown of the charges in question.
• Contact your Card Issuer: If your dispute with the hotel is unresolved, contact your bank or credit card company to file a formal dispute. They will investigate the charges on your behalf.

Does the hold policy apply to award stays?

Yes, even if you booked your Marriott stay using award points, they will likely still place a hold on your card. Award stays typically cover the room rate and taxes, but incidental charges like dining and spa services would still need to be secured by the hotel.

The hold amount for award stays might be lower, but it’s wise to check with the specific hotel beforehand.

Conclusion

While hotel check-in holds can be an unexpected inconvenience, understanding how they work is crucial to protect yourself and ensure a smooth travel experience. Here’s a recap of the key points:

• Marriott, like most hotels, uses holds to cover potential incidental charges and unpaid balances.
• Hold amounts vary based on the hotel, location, and length of your stay.
• Holds temporarily reduce available funds on both debit and credit cards.
• Always inquire about the specific hotel’s hold amount and release policy in advance.
• Budget for the hold and communicate with the hotel staff if you have concerns.

By being informed and proactive, you can navigate Marriott’s hold policy and avoid any unpleasant surprises during your stay.