Hotel asking for photcopy of front and back of credit card, risky?

[Jay Sata]

Always buy travel/hotels/air tickets using a credit card. If it goes wrong you are protected.

Never ever use a debit card.

[thonglorjimmy]

Always buy travel/hotels/air tickets using a credit card. If it goes wrong you are protected.

Never ever use a debit card.

Sorry but that's not what I asked.

It's also not accurate, with most Thai credit cards there is little or no protection, though with some, non Thai, Debit Cards there is a level of protection.

[thonglorjimmy]

A definite NO.

Have never been asked for this anywhere in the world, and of course a copy of the reverse gives them your 3 digit security code.

It's probably an individual rather than hotel policy.

Save that, as I said, it was on a standard form supplied by the hotel.

[NoshowJones]

Why doesn't OP even name the hotel? How would anyone know? Maybe he's scared to get sued.

I'd be very nervous about this. Most of the bigger hotels have a website where you can book online. If not, I book via booking.com or agoda.

I'm curious to hear what others have to say also!

Try and avoid Agoda. A hotel I regularly use in Nakhon Sawan charges 450 Baht per night. If you book through Agoda, it is 650 Baht per night.

agoda doesn't have the best prices for all hotels all the time obviously. This is true for every site like that and it's also possible to have better prices walk in but your advice isn't good because it's not possible for the OP and anyone else to actually physically walk into every single hotel to determine if they actually got the best price. Try to use TA where they have a list of all prices from different sites and if the hotel is decent it should have a website or a facebook page in this day and age that is standard practice to have some information on a hotel somewhere online and if it isn't on a hotel booking site or has its own website or at least a fb page then it's truly run down.

Agoda also allows paypal and it's really helpful as paypal serves as additional protection for the buyer and your cc info isn't revealed the any merchants at all.

Good advice, but I have even more contempt for Paypal than I have for Agoda. They are about the most incompetent people I have ever dealt with, and I would not touch them with a bargepole.

[thonglorjimmy]

I don't see what the issue is here, if you are concerned that the hotel may be up to something untoward with your credit card details why use a credit card for anything? The hotel is going to get your card details at some stage anyway if you stay with them, isn't it?

Well this hotel isn't no, I've now booked elsewhere.

I'm uncomfortable emailing a copy of the front and back of my card to anyone, be it a five star hotel or not.

Yes the hotel will have sight of my card when I check in, but it will be in my presence and only to swipe through the machine.

I'm not suggesting there would be any impropriety by any staff in this hotel but we are constantly being advised to be cautious and not to let cards out of our sight, but this hotel, and seemingly a few others, require a hard copy to confirm a booking.

[thonglorjimmy]

Before you refuse and tell them why. Contact your CC company first (not after). They might be interested as well.

Yes, I did contact Amex and they were remarkably relaxed about it, which surprised me, though they did add that it was at my risk.

[thonglorjimmy]

Why doesn't OP even name the hotel? How would anyone know? Maybe he's scared to get sued.

Of course I didn't name the hotel, it's against forum rules to "name and shame".

But it's a five star hotel on Sathorn Road, and it's not the Banyan Tree, where I have now booked via Agoda.

[theoldgit]

Off topic post removed, this thread is about hotels requiring copies of credit cards, not car loans.

[GrantSmith]

A definite NO.

Have never been asked for this anywhere in the world, and of course a copy of the reverse gives them your 3 digit security code.

It's probably an individual rather than hotel policy.

As I mentioned earlier, have been asked for it several times before in Thailand - various hotel groups. No issues with card integrity.

Done it for many years at hotels in several different cities around the world, again no issues with card integrity being compromised...

Individual policy as opposed to hotel policy? You think an individual demands this over the hotel's policy? hahaha sorry, really unlikely....

[GrantSmith]

Why doesn't OP even name the hotel? How would anyone know? Maybe he's scared to get sued.

Of course I didn't name the hotel, it's against forum rules to "name and shame".

But it's a five star hotel on Sathorn Road, and it's not the Banyan Tree, where I have now booked via Agoda.

Ooooh I love playing guess the hotel - next time you need to post pictures as well!

Is it on North Sathorn or South Sathorn

[thonglorjimmy]

Ooooh I love playing guess the hotel - next time you need to post pictures as well!

Is it on North Sathorn or South Sathorn

Ha Ha, as I say cannot name because of forum rules, it's not The Banyan Tree, but it's almost next door.

I never doubted the hotels integrity and as you rightly say it's hotel policy not an individuals, but it still leaves me uncomfortable.

I have never ever come across this before, whether I booked at an Ibis or Banyan Tree, but I accept what you say about it being a fairly common industry practice, a fact born out by my credit card provider.

my next peeve will have to be the companies that don't XX all the credit card numbers on credit card slips, but that's for another day.

By the way I should add that I have been nervous about credit cards since one of my UK Credit Cards was hit for over £6,000 worth of spending in South Korea some years ago, the card had never left the UK.

[Bignose]

I have had this issue in the past when trying to book an airline ticket online for a third party, the requirement is to fax a copy of your credit to Thai Airways office in Bangkok. I visited the office in Sing in person to question this and was told it was standard practice, when I asked the counter staff "would you fax your credit card details to an open office in Bangkok?" she replied "definitely not"

Unfortunately this is now standard practice with many airlines and hotels, one hotel in Sing very recently asked me for my card so they could make a Sg$1300 "reservation" against my card to cover any use of the room mini bar. It goes without saying I told them in no uncertain manner that was not going to happen, when push comes to shove I tell them to empty the mini bar and to cancel any room service.

Only days ago in Makati I was told they could not match my original website rate for additional nights at the hotel, but when I checked to make a further booking the website rate was higher than the hotel rate, it always pays to check!!!

We all have a choice with what information we provide to companies, whether at a counter or online. Try not to leave your booking until the last minute, that way you still have that choice and can choose whatever is more suitable. Don't forget if they are making upfront deductions against your card they will be making the same against how many more? If we all pay up how much is sitting in their bank accounts accruing interest?

[Totster]

I'd be very nervous about this. Most of the bigger hotels have a website where you can book online. If not, I book via booking.com or agoda.

I'm curious to hear what others have to say also!

Try and avoid Agoda. A hotel I regularly use in Nakhon Sawan charges 450 Baht per night. If you book through Agoda, it is 650 Baht per night.

http://www.agoda.com/info/agoda-policies.html?site_id=1430613

totster

[NoshowJones]

I'd be very nervous about this. Most of the bigger hotels have a website where you can book online. If not, I book via booking.com or agoda.

I'm curious to hear what others have to say also!

Try and avoid Agoda. A hotel I regularly use in Nakhon Sawan charges 450 Baht per night. If you book through Agoda, it is 650 Baht per night.

http://www.agoda.com/info/agoda-policies.html?site_id=1430613

totster

OK, but I would not trust any company, hotel booking companies or not, who will not be upfront with their prices, ie showing you their price and then saying plus tax added etc.

[Bcgardener]

I'd be very nervous about this. Most of the bigger hotels have a website where you can book online. If not, I book via booking.com or agoda.

I'm curious to hear what others have to say also!

Try and avoid Agoda. A hotel I regularly use in Nakhon Sawan charges 450 Baht per night. If you book through Agoda, it is 650 Baht per night.

Most of the time Agoda and the likes will be same price or even cheaper as a direct booking. So good for you you have found a situation where that is not the case, but this is certainly not the norm.

I always find that Agoda or Booking.com charge exactly the same as booking directly, so for me, can't see any great advantage, and prefer to deal directly with the people i'll be staying with.

I was at a major hotel in Bangkok a few years ago. There for 4 days, wanted to stay 2 more. Went to the desk and was quoted a rate about 50% more than what I paid. Basically, the rack rate. I asked why can't I get the rate I already had. Clerk said NO problem! Just use that terminal over there and book via Agoda. What a pain. Had to login, book the room, go to their office center, print out the reservation, walk back to the clerk and book my room. This has actually happened to me several times. Crazy.

I also prefer to book directly with the hotel. But sometimes, it's just not financially worth it.

[Bcgardener]

Thai Airways is the same with their web site. I booked a flight on the internet and opted to pay at a Thai office so I could get a receipt. When I went there the girl told me sorry you left it too late and the booking has expired on the system. I said no problem can you re-book for me. She quoted a cost that 5,000 baht more than on-line. She then asked me if I had a smart phone with internet and to use it too to re-book on-line with Thai at the "internet price" . I did this sitting in front of her and gave her the booking number. No problem now and no 5,000 baht price hike. All of this just blew me away, couldn't believe it.

[rijb]

You take a big chance that the photocopy will end up in a file cabinet, with open access. Or they don't shred it when it's trashed/recycled.

It would be easier if you just posted a copy of your credit card on Facebook.

[Hugh Jarse]

I would send an email to the hotel management explaining the request from their booking department, and why you have NO intention of complying.

Yermanee

Never allow both sides of your card to be copied. You must also report this hotel chain to your card issuer.

[theoldgit]

Never allow both sides of your card to be copied. You must also report this hotel chain to your card issuer.

If you read the OP's posts you will note that he did call his card issuer who were remarkably relaxed about it.

[pitchag]

I'd be very nervous about this. Most of the bigger hotels have a website where you can book online. If not, I book via booking.com or agoda.

I'm curious to hear what others have to say also!

Try and avoid Agoda. A hotel I regularly use in Nakhon Sawan charges 450 Baht per night. If you book through Agoda, it is 650 Baht per night.

I found the same thing a couple of weeks ago 300 bht cheaper to book over the counter in Nakhon Sawan

[marcusd]

THONGLORJIMMY.... Everyone is telling you NOT to do what you have been asked.

DONT PROVIDE SUCH DETAILS.

Book ONLINE or find another HOTEL. Many many all over the city and NEVER in 20 years of travel have I had this.

[marcusd]

I was at a major hotel in Bangkok a few years ago. There for 4 days, wanted to stay 2 more. Went to the desk and was quoted a rate about 50% more than what I paid. Basically, the rack rate. I asked why can't I get the rate I already had. Clerk said NO problem! Just use that terminal over there and book via Agoda. What a pain. Had to login, book the room, go to their office center, print out the reservation, walk back to the clerk and book my room. This has actually happened to me several times. Crazy.

I also prefer to book directly with the hotel. But sometimes, it's just not financially worth it.

That does sound very annoying!

Walk in rates are often double internet rates, this is true. What isn't true, in my experience anyway, is that Agoda or booking.com is any cheaper than booking through the hotels' own website. Wonder why these hotels you stayed in didn't ask you to book via their own websites.

I don't like the way Agoda flash up all these 30% discount this, 40% discount that banners, which gives the impression that by booking with Agoda, you are getting some sort of special "Agoda" deal, when in fact all you are getting is the hotel's standard internet booking rate.

To answer simply from a Manager of a 5 star hotel in Bangkok that is ALWAYS full... he says they like you to use the AGODA or whatever they refer you to book online as they Get PLACED up the scale and CHEAPER commission rates when more people use AGODA in this case.

So when you book with the Hotel website DIRECT and get the same rate they actually lose out on extra internet advertising and lower commission rates when people book using online booking systems.

I see what he means as I use internet bookings in my own business and get the same deal with GOOGLE ADWORDS .

[asiaexpat]

Never had any hotel ask for all the data the OP stated and would never give it. As for booking hotels, over the last 15 years I have booked direct, used Agoda, Hotels2Thailand, AsiaHotels and some other less known web sites to book with and found most are competitive. I just did a quick comparison on a Hotel in Chiang Mai I have used and found the following:

Agoda 765 TB

Hotels2Thailand 764 TB

Direct with hotel 850+

Bookings.com-- could not find the hotel in a reasonable time so I forgot it. This is not a well organized website in my opinion.

Long and short- a little shopping may save 1 or 2 TB.

[celso]

Never had it at a hotel, but my gym (true fitness) asked for a copy of my credit card + details when I joined. I gave them an old card from a cancelled account.

[GrantSmith]

I was at a major hotel in Bangkok a few years ago. There for 4 days, wanted to stay 2 more. Went to the desk and was quoted a rate about 50% more than what I paid. Basically, the rack rate. I asked why can't I get the rate I already had. Clerk said NO problem! Just use that terminal over there and book via Agoda. What a pain. Had to login, book the room, go to their office center, print out the reservation, walk back to the clerk and book my room. This has actually happened to me several times. Crazy.

I also prefer to book directly with the hotel. But sometimes, it's just not financially worth it.

That does sound very annoying!

Walk in rates are often double internet rates, this is true. What isn't true, in my experience anyway, is that Agoda or booking.com is any cheaper than booking through the hotels' own website. Wonder why these hotels you stayed in didn't ask you to book via their own websites.

I don't like the way Agoda flash up all these 30% discount this, 40% discount that banners, which gives the impression that by booking with Agoda, you are getting some sort of special "Agoda" deal, when in fact all you are getting is the hotel's standard internet booking rate.

To answer simply from a Manager of a 5 star hotel in Bangkok that is ALWAYS full... he says they like you to use the AGODA or whatever they refer you to book online as they Get PLACED up the scale and CHEAPER commission rates when more people use AGODA in this case.

So when you book with the Hotel website DIRECT and get the same rate they actually lose out on extra internet advertising and lower commission rates when people book using online booking systems.

I see what he means as I use internet bookings in my own business and get the same deal with GOOGLE ADWORDS .

Umm... What?

[Bpuumike]

Never allow both sides of your card to be copied. You must also report this hotel chain to your card issuer.

If you read the OP's posts you will note that he did call his card issuer who were remarkably relaxed about it.

But still told him it was at his own risk.

My UK credit (not debit) card was ripped off for £18,000 and I reported it to the bank. The following month it was ripped off for another £9,000 by the same person (none of them in Thailand I should add). Being a credit card the bank took the hits.

[thonglorjimmy]

THONGLORJIMMY.... Everyone is telling you NOT to do what you have been asked.

DONT PROVIDE SUCH DETAILS.

Book ONLINE or find another HOTEL. Many many all over the city and NEVER in 20 years of travel have I had this.

As I've already said, I wouldn't and didn't provide the details requested, I've also already said that I've booked elsewhere.

[Torrens54]

No way!

I'd be talking with their GM at the very least and also getting in touch with their Head Office if it is an overseas based operator.

Have a funny feeling that someone in the Reservations Department is trying to pull a scam.

[GrantSmith]

No way!

I'd be talking with their GM at the very least and also getting in touch with their Head Office if it is an overseas based operator.

Have a funny feeling that someone in the Reservations Department is trying to pull a scam.

You need to head out to Tesco or at the very least Tesco Express if no Tesco close by and get a refund on that roll of aluminium foil... It's clearly letting the pixies in...

[Lancashirelad]

I'm no expert but I believe the hotels are contractually required to charge certain amounts for the rooms so booking companies can offer a negotiated percent discount.

This is why the terminal is there. They are contractually obliged to charge more and I know for sure they are going to send people out to test this system all the time.

Yes you are more-or-less right. Just perhaps a simpler way to put it: It will be in the contractt that the hotel undertakes with Agoda that they must not match or undercut Agoda rates.