Reserving a hotel room anywhere in world with your Visa card?

Top ten tips for European Visa cardholders

Reserving a hotel room anywhere in the world with your Visa Debit/Credit/Commercial card is not only convenient but also affords you additional protection not available with cash and cheques. Visa cardholders also have the benefit of express check-out options and access to cash at hotels. Read on to find out more.

Reserving a hotel room anywhere in the world with your Visa card means the hotel guarantees the room for you.

If the hotel does not have the room available when you arrive, they must provide you with comparable accommodation at their establishment or another hotel. The hotel must provide transportation to the alternative establishment and forward all messages and calls at their cost. The hotel must also give you the opportunity to make a three-minute telephone call.
The hotel must provide you with a copy of your reservation confirmation either by post, fax or e-mail. This must contain all your reservation details, including a confirmation code, room rate, cancellation options and no-show fees.
If you provide your e-mail address when making a hotel reservation, the hotel will be able to provide you with their contact details. These could be useful if you need to contact them to amend or cancel your booking.
If you cancel a hotel reservation, always get a cancellation code from the hotel or its agent.

If you have used an agent, they must information the hotel of your cancellation. You do not have to do this.
If the hotel charges your Visa card even though you have a cancellation code, contact your bank or card issuer. They may be able to reverse the charge from the hotel.
If you do not cancel your hotel reservation by the specified time in the hotel’s terms and conditions, the hotel may charge you for one night’s accommodation plus taxes or the full cost of your stay, depending on their terms and conditions.
If the hotel credits your Visa card, this will appear on your card statement. In the case of any discrepancies, contact your bank or card issuer who may be able to assist you.
Any services you use at the hotel on the day of checkout (e.g. spa treatments) may well appear on your account a few days later.
The hotel may charge you a few days after you have checked out, for example room service or mini bar charges, as it takes time for their systems to update.

If you have any queries about charges applied to your Visa card after you have checked out of the hotel, contact the hotel directly. If you cannot clarify the charges with the hotel, contact your bank or card issuer who may be able to assist you.
Some hotels also offer Visa cardholders access to cash on their Visa cards.