Friends of mine have [pre]-booked at this Hotel.

They want to stay from December 27th, 2007 until Jan. 2nd 2008.

The hotel confirmed the booking but asked to send US$ 1.500.-- before they make it a 100% booking.

I know it's high season but is a credit card # not enough ?

Is this common practice ?

Any comments greatly appreciated.

LaoPo

Are you sure they have booked direct with hotel? There website minimum price seems to be $2,087 for that time period and only requires a credit card number as near as I can tell. If not canceled before 14 days of arrival full price will be charged to card.

//edit: scratch above - added two extra days - price is 1,563.80 for 2 persons so seems to match your price - up to point of names there is no indication that a credit card would not be accepted however//

No idea if it's the case here but sometimes the big hotel chains require prepaying to get some super-saver rates. That said, I've never encountered this practice when booking Marriott hotels. Never stayed at the one in BKK, but I do stay at their properties in the States.

Friends of mine have [pre]-booked at this Hotel.

They want to stay from December 27th, 2007 until Jan. 2nd 2008.

The hotel confirmed the booking but asked to send US$ 1.500.-- before they make it a 100% booking.

I know it's high season but is a credit card # not enough ?

Is this common practice ?

Any comments greatly appreciated.

LaoPo

Depends on the type of booking - assuming they used the website, there are different rates for different situations. It would seem that, as ovenman said, they probably booked at a prepaid rate. There may be other rates which do not require prepayment - but usually for X'mas and New Year's, most hotels will only offer 100% guaranteed bookings - it's either that or they go into an overbooking situation to ensure they are full - not a common nor popular practice for the best hotels.

I book on the Marriots official website, and a CC number is enough.

Not unusual for high season. This hotel quite popular as it like a resort within the city. I've even seen Thai from BKK check in there for the weekend. Christmas and New Year sells out in BKK at most of the 4 and 5 star hotels as well as the beach hotels. Credit card gtd. not enough as they probably can only charge 1 or 2 nights for no show. This way they know your coming and it's prepaid. Your friends will enjoy staying here.