Have you ever faxed your credit card details to the hotel?

[Ginola]

Hi guys,

 

I have just made a reservation for a room in the Areca Lodge (based on recommendations here on PA). The hotel have e-mailed me back with a confirmation, but they want me to fax all my credit card details so that i can make a deposit for B3000.

 

A deposit is okay for me, but i am not very keen on faxing a photocopy of my credit card complete with front and back. I have called my bank and they say its a bad idea to fax my credit card details to the hotel.

 

What is your experience with this? Have you ever faxed your credit card details to hotels in Pattaya? Is it normal to do this and is it safe?

 

ginola

[Piece Corp]

I agree with your bank that it's a bad idea.

[Dodgy]

I must admit I have done it before but was uncomfortable doing it. Would they accept it with the card details split over two faxes or emails. Or better still can't you call them and pass the details verbally.

 

Dodgy

[petermik]

Dont do it

[irish-michael]

Bad idea,i done it once,and had my card skimmed,luckily credit card company covered the loss,use paypal,safer method.or western union transfer to their bank.

[HankChinaski]

that's crazy !

 

Pattaya offers so many nice accomodations for all budgets. They want a deposit or your cc details : go elsewhere !

Edited August 25, 2012 by HankChinaski

[mjcropper1]

Areca is too much anyway mate! Can get somewhere for half the price..

[mousemat]

Bad idea,i done it once,and had my card skimmed,luckily credit card company covered the loss,use paypal,safer method.or western union transfer to their bank.

 

I agree - suggest another method of payment and if they refuse take your custom elsewhere

[scaffman]

i think your bank acount might get a bit smaller if you do so dont do it

[Ginola]

I am not going to fax my credit card details to the hotel. I am just going to wait until I get to the hotel and make the payment in cash. If they do not keep my reservation - well thats just too bad. I will go elsewhere.

 

But I am a little puzzled about this. If faxing your credit card details to a hotel is not a normal way to make a pre-payment - then why is the hotel asking me to do it this way?

 

mjcropper1 - I have made the choice of Areca Lodge based on recommendations here on PA but I am open to any suggestions you might have.

 

ginola

[mcb]

Yes, I've stayed in Areca a few times in the past and they have always insisted on this for years.

I've done it and not had any problems, but didn't feel comfortable with it.

 

An alternative is to book your room on Agoda or directrooms or any site that has Areca and pay online (safely).

Sometimes cheaper this way too.

If you know anyone here, maybe they can book & pay the deposit for you.

Or, as mentioned above, go elsewhere.

 

I used to really like Areca (great location, nice rooms, good buffet breakfast, etc), but it's no longer a budget place and there is better value around, especially in low season.

[Ginola]

Areca Lodge have now informed me that my reservation has been cancelled due to no deposit made.

 

How can they possibly get any guests with such an insecure way of pre-payment?

 

Well, I am open to any suggestions you might have.

 

ginola

[kiff]

I have stayed there mate and yes I have sent my credit card details threw

It is just how they do it mate

It's a great hotell to stay at

 

 

Ps

I have done that 3 times and no problems

 

Pps you can always book threw Agoda

[manarak]

Use Agoda.

Here is the link to Areca on my page, just click the link to Agoda to make the reservation.

 

http://www.wgfriendly.com/girl_friendly_hotel_details.php?id=65&

 

no fax to send, no credit card worries.

[LRanger]

no no never would and emailing is not a good idea either.....not worth the risk.

[tt2008]

Done it for Areca a few time, but via email - not had a problem. There is nothing on the card that you don't give out on the internet or phone when you buy something or make a booking on the internet.

 

However last time I booked they just sent me a form to email back with credit card details the same as you put into a booking site.

[manarak]

Done it for Areca a few time, but via email - not had a problem. There is nothing on the card that you don't give out on the internet or phone when you buy something or make a booking on the internet.

 

However last time I booked they just sent me a form to email back with credit card details the same as you put into a booking site.

The problem is not the safety of email or internet, the problem is the risk that is posed by the employees of the hotel. The staff is the number one risk everywhere.

Edited September 4, 2012 by manarak

[Ginola]

Thanks guys for all your answers. There is no doubt that Areca Lodge is a great hotel and that was also why I was trying to make a reservation there.

 

But I just don't understand why they are using this way of pre-payment. It can't be that difficult or expensive to make a secure payment directly on a website, can it? By the way nobody uses faxes anymore?

 

Maybe you guys havn't had any problems with faxing your creditcard details to Areca Lodge, but my banker told me that I would be responsible for every baht withdrawn from my account if I give away all the details?

 

Anyway, I think the problem is solved. I have made a reservation for a nice little hotel in Soi 4 and it only took me a short phonecall and I will pay everything when I get there.

 

Thanks guys

 

ginola

[manarak]

ah, why not book online through Agoda?

[FROST MEDIC999]

ah, why not book online through agoda?

 

Often when I look they are more costly.

 

Many other Booking Agents offer the same or better prices than Agoda and require only Card Details with Payment on arrival at hotel.

 

It pays to do a Web search and compare many prices before Booking and check final cost as well as Booking Fees' etc are often included at the very bottom of the page.

 

The price you see is not always the one you end up paying TRUST ME

 

Ghosty

[usexymanmr]

i get a prepaid credit card from supermarket or post office

i fax them a copy never been knocked back

and the remainder i pay in cash easy................

[Ginola]

ah, why not book online through agoda?

 

When you book through Agoda or another website, you often have to make a pre-payment for the entire stay. And I don't like that because I sometimes change plans and for example go up country.

 

Then it would really suck to allready have paid for the hotel and then not use it (and perhaps pay for another hotel somewhere).

 

For me it's okay to pay some kind of deposit, but i would like to keep my options open when I get there.

 

ginola

[Mr Pink]

I don't mind for sending credit card details. And I did it myself to Sandy Spring hotel once for Thailand.

 

I don't know how credit card companies are working in your country but here in switzerland you get your money back if you get e.g. scammed ...

I think there working the same in denmark.

If your local bank offers good service they call you when your hotel is trying to bill you the deposit, because it is a transaction in thailand which is outside your normal range.

 

Just make sure that you only send them the number, expiry date and your name and NOT the CVC on the back of the credit card (on the front for american express).

 

But maybe you can use another way to send them the deposit.

[billy68]

I have send it once to a hotel not found on Agoda or Sawasdee, but we knew the hotel from previous trips, it was no problem, but I would recomend using Agoda or Sawasdee.

[eksildanskeren]

My fellow Aarhusianer

 

Don't EVER send your cc details like that, as your bank states, you are responsible for every Baht withdrawn...forever.