I called a prominent 5-star hotel (on Asoke near Suk.) today to book a reservation for their Christmas Day buffet; they asked for a credit card number to guarantee the table - otherwise no reservation. Am I wrong to assume this is opportunistic greed on their part? I refused and booked elsewhere. I have never been asked for a CC number for a meal reservation before.

This is not uncommon in Farangland nowadays. Many upscale establishments act like just like hotels now. If you make a booking and don't show up or cancel just prior to your scheduled time, they will ding you for it. These are businesses trying to keep up with the times and they stand to lose money when the guests pull a "no-show".

I know a fellow who made reservations for 3 different places for Thanksgiving and stiffed two. The funny thing is that he complained for days afterwards that he had picked the wrong one.

Who can blame these businesses for trying to protect themselves?

Well ... I always change few numbers on my CC when they ask on the phone so they can't charge me ...

I called a prominent 5-star hotel (on Asoke near Suk.) today to book a reservation for their Christmas Day buffet; they asked for a credit card number to guarantee the table - otherwise no reservation. Am I wrong to assume this is opportunistic greed on their part? I refused and booked elsewhere. I have never been asked for a CC number for a meal reservation before

Why would you book a 'second choice' venue just because your chosen venue asked for CC details ?

Surely you intended to honour the booking and, no doubt, would have paid at the end of the meal.

Would you decline to hand over a credit card when booking a hotel room ???

Par for the course in many countrys, especially if you are booking for a specific event.

I can understand why, a friend of mine has a restaraunt, last Christmas only 27% of the people who booked actually turned up and he was left with a mountain of food which consequently had to be disposed off, also he had the extra cost of additional staff which as it turned out weren't needed. This year you pay 50% when you book, which I reckon is fair enough when you see it from his point of view.

Happened to me when I booked at Le Normendie at The Oriental. Can't see why it would be a problem, as long as you have every intention of showing up for your booking. And you can be pretty sure your card number will be in safe hands at a 5 star hotel. After I booked that first time, and then turned up, I've never been asked for my CC number for any other booking at Le Normendie since.

I have never been asked for a CC number when booking a restaurant here in Manhattan. They sometimes ask for a phone number. Under no circumstances woul I guarantee the reservation in this way.

No show are a big problem in the hospitality industry... Many independent restaurants are now even asking a certain percentage on their fix priced menu as a deposit. And I am not blaming them for that...

That rules people like me who have a abhorance of credit cards (haven't had a liability like that in 15 years ) from going to five star hotels, even though we can easily pay without going into debt?

That rules people like me who have a abhorance of credit cards (haven't had a liability like that in 15 years ) from going to five star hotels, even though we can easily pay without going into debt?

No it doesn't, it just rules you out from advance-booking a table at a restaurant in one if you aren't actually staying there. Most 5 star hotels would probably rather exclude this tiny minority of cases for the peace of mind of knowing their restaurant bookings are guaranteed.

That rules people like me who have a abhorance of credit cards (haven't had a liability like that in 15 years ) from going to five star hotels, even though we can easily pay without going into debt?

No it doesn't, it just rules you out from advance-booking a table at a restaurant in one if you aren't actually staying there. Most 5 star hotels would probably rather exclude this tiny minority of cases for the peace of mind of knowing their restaurant bookings are guaranteed.

I use my Visa Debit card for these types of booking and never had a problem except at the Landmark for some reason.

Some people actually brag about stiffing hotels and restaurants and then complain about some requiring a guarantee of some sorts. I don't have a problem with it in general.

Happened to me when I booked at Le Normendie at The Oriental. Can't see why it would be a problem, as long as you have every intention of showing up for your booking. And you can be pretty sure your card number will be in safe hands at a 5 star hotel. After I booked that first time, and then turned up, I've never been asked for my CC number for any other booking at Le Normendie since.

Maybe because they already have you CC number then?

Wait until it expires and then report back

Sure, getting a credit card number for a reservation, any reservation and not just on special days is becoming the norm in the states. It is purely selfish to make a reservation and then not go or cancel.

That rules people like me who have a abhorance of credit cards (haven't had a liability like that in 15 years ) from going to five star hotels, even though we can easily pay without going into debt?

A CHARGE card is not debt, it is a payment mechanism. There is no 'liability' in spending your own money. Get some plastic, Soundman.