Hotel Online Booking Requirements

[citizen33]

I've booked many Thai hotels online and never had a real problem. However, I recently used the company Asiativ for the first time. After providing my booking and credit cards details in the usual way, I was surprised to receive a follow-up e-mail asking for a photocopy f my passport and credit card, plus a signed booking form. It was said that these were required before space could be reserved and the booking go ahead. I declined and pulled out of the booking. I doubt that this is an actual scam though it seems risky, but I do feel that we have to resist this kind of requirement becoming a norm. I don't like my credit card going out of my sight in Asia, let alone photocopies floating around. What do others think?

[jingjoe]

I had to do it to book a Handspan junk cruise in Halong Bay last year. I didn't like doing it, but went with it because the company had such a good reputation. It all worked out fine in the end, but I wouldn't book a hotel room using that same process. There're just to many other options out there.

[wanderer881]

I've booked many Thai hotels online and never had a real problem. However, I recently used the company Asiativ for the first time. After providing my booking and credit cards details in the usual way, I was surprised to receive a follow-up e-mail asking for a photocopy f my passport and credit card, plus a signed booking form. It was said that these were required before space could be reserved and the booking go ahead. I declined and pulled out of the booking. I doubt that this is an actual scam though it seems risky, but I do feel that we have to resist this kind of requirement becoming a norm. I don't like my credit card going out of my sight in Asia, let alone photocopies floating around. What do others think?

I have booked hotels using www.asiarooms.com and www.agoda.com and they are excellent in every respect. Never been asked for photocopies of any sort and confirmation of the booking usually sent via email within 48 hours. I too would be uncomfortable providing photocopies of passport and credit card details etc. and would advise not to do so given the ingenuity that internet fruadsters are capable of. Good luck

[LaoPo]

I've booked many Thai hotels online and never had a real problem. However, I recently used the company Asiativ for the first time. After providing my booking and credit cards details in the usual way, I was surprised to receive a follow-up e-mail asking for a photocopy f my passport and credit card, plus a signed booking form. It was said that these were required before space could be reserved and the booking go ahead. I declined and pulled out of the booking. I doubt that this is an actual scam though it seems risky, but I do feel that we have to resist this kind of requirement becoming a norm. I don't like my credit card going out of my sight in Asia, let alone photocopies floating around. What do others think?

I would never do that. It also means that it is a non-professional (non-international) company.

Hundreds of thousands of bookings are done, worldwide, by email on a daily basis and this company asks for a photocopy of your passport and creditcard and a signed booking form ?

Unprofessional, apart from possible (future) scams...

LaoPo

[Zpete]

QUOTE (citizen33 @ 2008-03-18 09:33:28) I've booked many Thai hotels online and never had a real problem. However, I recently used the company Asiativ for the first time. After providing my booking and credit cards details in the usual way, I was surprised to receive a follow-up e-mail asking for a photocopy f my passport and credit card, plus a signed booking form. It was said that these were required before space could be reserved and the booking go ahead. I declined and pulled out of the booking. I doubt that this is an actual scam though it seems risky, but I do feel that we have to resist this kind of requirement becoming a norm. I don't like my credit card going out of my sight in Asia, let alone photocopies floating around. What do others think?

You were wise.

Blimey, NEVER would I supply all that online.

All my bookings for accommodation are made online usually with Hostel Bookers.

http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/thailand/bangkok/

Go looksee, has cheapies and good hotels as well.

They book world wide.

NO BOOKING FEE.

Edited March 18, 2008 by Zpete

[jingjoe]

asking for a photocopy of my passport and credit card, plus a signed booking form.

Blimey, NEVER would I supply all that online.

Nor would the OP, it would be via Fax.

[onethailand]

I've booked many Thai hotels online and never had a real problem. However, I recently used the company Asiativ for the first time. After providing my booking and credit cards details in the usual way, I was surprised to receive a follow-up e-mail asking for a photocopy f my passport and credit card, plus a signed booking form. It was said that these were required before space could be reserved and the booking go ahead. I declined and pulled out of the booking. I doubt that this is an actual scam though it seems risky, but I do feel that we have to resist this kind of requirement becoming a norm. I don't like my credit card going out of my sight in Asia, let alone photocopies floating around. What do others think?

Can I ask which hotel you tried to book, and for what dates? Under normal circumstances this would be considered quite unusual, to say the least.

However, a passport might be required as proof of nationality (some hotels charge different rates for different nationalities, a practice I do not particularly care for). A signed booking form is a bit strange since you've already paid by credit card. A copy of your credit card is NOT advisable.

The only thing I can think of is that Asiativ don't have online payment processing, or the service isn't running for some reason, and they have to manually process the credit card - but I still don't think I would submit anything except possibly my passport.

[haybilly]

I've booked many Thai hotels online and never had a real problem. However, I recently used the company Asiativ for the first time. After providing my booking and credit cards details in the usual way, I was surprised to receive a follow-up e-mail asking for a photocopy f my passport and credit card, plus a signed booking form. It was said that these were required before space could be reserved and the booking go ahead. I declined and pulled out of the booking. I doubt that this is an actual scam though it seems risky, but I do feel that we have to resist this kind of requirement becoming a norm. I don't like my credit card going out of my sight in Asia, let alone photocopies floating around. What do others think?

I have booked hotels using www.asiarooms.com and www.agoda.com and they are excellent in every respect. Never been asked for photocopies of any sort and confirmation of the booking usually sent via email within 48 hours. I too would be uncomfortable providing photocopies of passport and credit card details etc. and would advise not to do so given the ingenuity that internet fruadsters are capable of. Good luck

I. too, have used Agoda.com for online bookings on a few occasions with no request for anything other than online form filling--however, I had to make a booking for my stepdaughter at a BKK hotel on her arrival--got an error message on Agoda website and had to use their 'instant messenger' service in conversation with staff member/s--was informed that, as booking name not same as credit card name I needed to download their FAX Form and fill this in and FAX 'ALONG WITH' a photocopy of front and back of my credit card--I got worried and at first refused--to be told that they could not proceed with booking--I, eventually, gave in since I could find no other way to complete booking--very unhappy, but, as yet haven't been victim of fraud--though check statements, etc...very often--not a very satisfactory method.