Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
Feb 11th 2003, 4:59 pm
#16
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
Lennart Petersen wrote:
>
> "Phil Richards" skrev i meddelandet
> news:[email protected]...
> > On Tue, 11 Feb 2003 22:19:30 GMT Lennart Petersen
> > said...
> >
> > > Depends of the legality where you are.
> > > At least here in Sweden you can't be charged against your approval
> unless
> > > you have signed on a paper.
> >
> > So how do you go about telephone or internet transactions?
> > Phil Richards
> > London, N4
> Such things are put on the monthly bill from the cardprovider as anything
> else.
> If ok just accept and the money is withdrawn from the account.
> If not deny the charge. The cardproviding bank can't do anything but to send
> back the request to the seller which have to, if necessary, sue for the
> money and provide evidence there have been a transaction.
I think the same is true here in the U.S., although I imagine if a
cardholder were in the habit of denying such charges on a regular basis,
the card company might decide to cancel his/her account. (They DO keep
records, you know.)
> L.P
>
> "Phil Richards" skrev i meddelandet
> news:[email protected]...
> > On Tue, 11 Feb 2003 22:19:30 GMT Lennart Petersen
> > said...
> >
> > > Depends of the legality where you are.
> > > At least here in Sweden you can't be charged against your approval
> unless
> > > you have signed on a paper.
> >
> > So how do you go about telephone or internet transactions?
> > Phil Richards
> > London, N4
> Such things are put on the monthly bill from the cardprovider as anything
> else.
> If ok just accept and the money is withdrawn from the account.
> If not deny the charge. The cardproviding bank can't do anything but to send
> back the request to the seller which have to, if necessary, sue for the
> money and provide evidence there have been a transaction.
I think the same is true here in the U.S., although I imagine if a
cardholder were in the habit of denying such charges on a regular basis,
the card company might decide to cancel his/her account. (They DO keep
records, you know.)
> L.P
Feb 11th 2003, 5:30 pm
#17
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
Bart Thielges wrote:
>
> Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
> hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax back
> a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
>
> This all sounds like a reasonable way to make reservations and to help
> break through the language barrier. However one possible problem
> is that prior to faxing the request, no price has been negotiated for the
> room. I'd imagine that the large majority of hotels will simply charge their
> normal and reasonable rate. However, it seems as if it would be possible
> for a dishonest operator to overcharge my credit card. I'm concerned
> that I might be charged $200 for a $50 room with no recourse. I've thought
> about including the following text on my original fax :
>
> "If you can provide accommodation for the dates above for less than $XXX,
> then please charge my credit card number for the first nights stay and reserve
> the room"
>
> But that sounds a bit awkward. Also I'd have to set the cost limit $XXX
> to be some price a bit beyond what my most recent travel guide quotes.
> I might be charged exactly $XXX whether or not that is the real cost of the room.
>
> Have any other rec.travel.europe readers out there used this fax method
> for advance hotel reservation ? Did you have any negative experiences ?
>
> The countries that I have in mind are Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania,
> Latvia, and Estonia.
>
> Thanks,
> Bart Thielges
>
> (remove the SPAM in my e-mail address to reply)
Bart,
I wouldn't waste my time on a fax. Budget hotels will normally not reply
to faxes because they are expensive from Europe. Just call up your
hotels. I use the "10-10" service 1015-335 (it's about 10 cents/minute)
and then the country code etc. When you find a room you like ask how to
reserve it. Budget hotels seldom accept credit cards. If you are upscale
or on business give them your 16 digits.
BTW, do the Baltic countries still require a visa of Americans?
John Bermont
--
------------------------------------------------------
* * * Mastering Independent Budget Travel * * *
http://www.enjoy-europe.com/
------------------------------------------------------
>
> Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
> hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax back
> a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
>
> This all sounds like a reasonable way to make reservations and to help
> break through the language barrier. However one possible problem
> is that prior to faxing the request, no price has been negotiated for the
> room. I'd imagine that the large majority of hotels will simply charge their
> normal and reasonable rate. However, it seems as if it would be possible
> for a dishonest operator to overcharge my credit card. I'm concerned
> that I might be charged $200 for a $50 room with no recourse. I've thought
> about including the following text on my original fax :
>
> "If you can provide accommodation for the dates above for less than $XXX,
> then please charge my credit card number for the first nights stay and reserve
> the room"
>
> But that sounds a bit awkward. Also I'd have to set the cost limit $XXX
> to be some price a bit beyond what my most recent travel guide quotes.
> I might be charged exactly $XXX whether or not that is the real cost of the room.
>
> Have any other rec.travel.europe readers out there used this fax method
> for advance hotel reservation ? Did you have any negative experiences ?
>
> The countries that I have in mind are Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania,
> Latvia, and Estonia.
>
> Thanks,
> Bart Thielges
>
> (remove the SPAM in my e-mail address to reply)
Bart,
I wouldn't waste my time on a fax. Budget hotels will normally not reply
to faxes because they are expensive from Europe. Just call up your
hotels. I use the "10-10" service 1015-335 (it's about 10 cents/minute)
and then the country code etc. When you find a room you like ask how to
reserve it. Budget hotels seldom accept credit cards. If you are upscale
or on business give them your 16 digits.
BTW, do the Baltic countries still require a visa of Americans?
John Bermont
--
------------------------------------------------------
* * * Mastering Independent Budget Travel * * *
http://www.enjoy-europe.com/
------------------------------------------------------
Feb 11th 2003, 6:03 pm
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
John Bermont wrote:
> BTW, do the Baltic countries still require a visa of Americans?
Estonia hasn't required a visa since at least as far back as 1995. Latvia
did at that time but it was free and fast (though not available at the
border). Today none of them do (except Kaliningrad, if you're counting that).
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
> BTW, do the Baltic countries still require a visa of Americans?
Estonia hasn't required a visa since at least as far back as 1995. Latvia
did at that time but it was free and fast (though not available at the
border). Today none of them do (except Kaliningrad, if you're counting that).
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Feb 12th 2003, 1:50 am
#19
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
Residencia Australia in Barcelona-- just for example--confirmed price
by direct email but then required a fax with cc # and details in order
to make the reservation. They have a 15 day cancellation policy,
reiterated in their emails to me. Most hostales/pensiones/residencias
i've found have email addresses, if not a website or reservation
service, and all i've written to have responded. i wouldn't fax cc
info until certain about making a reservation. your cc company will
have a policy about cancelling or challenging transactions that you
feel may be fraudulent. check with them.
peggytex
by direct email but then required a fax with cc # and details in order
to make the reservation. They have a 15 day cancellation policy,
reiterated in their emails to me. Most hostales/pensiones/residencias
i've found have email addresses, if not a website or reservation
service, and all i've written to have responded. i wouldn't fax cc
info until certain about making a reservation. your cc company will
have a policy about cancelling or challenging transactions that you
feel may be fraudulent. check with them.
peggytex
Feb 12th 2003, 3:29 am
#20
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
John Bermont wrote
> Bart Thielges wrote:
> I wouldn't waste my time on a fax. Budget hotels will normally not reply
> to faxes because they are expensive from Europe.
?
A one-page fax will usually go through in under a minute and at UK
international rates the USA is as low as 2p a minute. It's a lot
cheaper than trying to conduct a phone conversation, and avoids time
zone problems.
Owain
> Bart Thielges wrote:
> I wouldn't waste my time on a fax. Budget hotels will normally not reply
> to faxes because they are expensive from Europe.
?
A one-page fax will usually go through in under a minute and at UK
international rates the USA is as low as 2p a minute. It's a lot
cheaper than trying to conduct a phone conversation, and avoids time
zone problems.
Owain
Feb 12th 2003, 11:42 am
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
Actually, we have found that the fax is better than email. We email to check
availability and then the hotel usually faxes us for more details including
credit card info.
When all else fails, try voice.
"EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Bart Thielges wrote:
> >
> > Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
> > hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> > on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> > for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax
back
> > a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
> I generally make my reservations by e-mail. Then (if the hotel does not
> have a secure web-site - but many do) I will fax the credit card info,
> referring to the reservation number they've given me. You don't HAVE to
> provide a credit card number to make a reservation - just to insure that
> they'll hold it for you. (They want that information enough in advance
> of your scheduled arrival so if you don't show, they can charge you for
> a night's lodging.)
availability and then the hotel usually faxes us for more details including
credit card info.
When all else fails, try voice.
"EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Bart Thielges wrote:
> >
> > Hi - I've noticed that some travel guides suggest using fax for advance
> > hotel reservations. You fax the hotel with information
> > on the days that you want, the type of room, and a credit card number
> > for billing the first night's stay. The hotel is then requested to fax
back
> > a confirmation if they are able to accommodate the request.
> I generally make my reservations by e-mail. Then (if the hotel does not
> have a secure web-site - but many do) I will fax the credit card info,
> referring to the reservation number they've given me. You don't HAVE to
> provide a credit card number to make a reservation - just to insure that
> they'll hold it for you. (They want that information enough in advance
> of your scheduled arrival so if you don't show, they can charge you for
> a night's lodging.)
Feb 13th 2003, 2:23 am
#22
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
"Owain" skrev i meddelandet
news:[email protected]...
> John Bermont wrote
> > Bart Thielges wrote:
> > I wouldn't waste my time on a fax. Budget hotels will normally not reply
> > to faxes because they are expensive from Europe.
> ?
> A one-page fax will usually go through in under a minute and at UK
> international rates the USA is as low as 2p a minute. It's a lot
> cheaper than trying to conduct a phone conversation, and avoids time
> zone problems.
> Owain
And also language confusions, confusions with the requested date and so..
Written english is usually more easy to understand rather than spoken and if
necessary the receiver can contact someone else for interpretation.
So I second that, fax works well if there's no on-line booking.
L.P
news:[email protected]...
> John Bermont wrote
> > Bart Thielges wrote:
> > I wouldn't waste my time on a fax. Budget hotels will normally not reply
> > to faxes because they are expensive from Europe.
> ?
> A one-page fax will usually go through in under a minute and at UK
> international rates the USA is as low as 2p a minute. It's a lot
> cheaper than trying to conduct a phone conversation, and avoids time
> zone problems.
> Owain
And also language confusions, confusions with the requested date and so..
Written english is usually more easy to understand rather than spoken and if
necessary the receiver can contact someone else for interpretation.
So I second that, fax works well if there's no on-line booking.
L.P
Feb 13th 2003, 9:05 am
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is fax a safe way to make hotel reservations ?
Fortunately, most hotels are honest. Still I wouldn't handle a reservation that
way.
In the "old" days when I reserved by FAX I did two - the first requesting the
room, dates, price, etc., and after receiving the reply, the second authorizing
the credit card charge.
Now I do all the reservations by e-mail, although I have still used a FAX to
send the credit card number rather than putting it out on an open e-mail. So
many mid-priced hotels in Europe don't ask for a credit card reservation - just
your "word" - that a FAX isn't usually necessary.
