'No, Karen, It’s Not a Scam—It’s a Hotel Hold! Why Your Card Gets Charged for ‘Incidentals’'
Picture this: you’ve just checked out of your hotel, suitcase in hand, ready to face the world (or at least the airport). You stop for coffee, swipe your card, and—DECLINED. What gives? You check your banking app and there it is: a mysterious charge from the hotel for way more than your room rate. Panic sets in. Was it the minibar? Did you accidentally buy the hotel’s $50 robe? Or—gulp—is this a scam?
Welcome to the world of hotel “preauthorizations for incidentals,” where the front desk staff have heard your concerns, your conspiracy theories, and your cries for justice a thousand times before. And according to a viral Reddit tale from u/TheGryphonQueen, they are all. Out. Of. Patience.
The Mysterious Incidentals Hold: Explained (Again)
Let’s break it down. When you check into a hotel, the staff kindly (and repeatedly) explain that the establishment will put a hold—not a charge—on your card. This is the hotel’s polite way of saying, “We trust you, but just in case you throw a rave in your room or decide to take home three towels and the hair dryer, we’re holding onto some of your money temporarily.”
Think of it like a security deposit. You don’t lose the money; it’s just put in a little digital jail, waiting to be released as soon as you check out and the staff confirms you haven’t raided the minibar or gone on a linen-stealing spree.
But here’s the kicker: no matter how many times it’s explained at check-in, 95% of guests (according to TheGryphonQueen and, honestly, every front desk worker ever) still have no idea what’s going on.
The Guest’s Perspective: “But I Can’t Use My Money!”
Let’s have some empathy. You’re traveling. You’re tired. You want to use your card for a celebratory milkshake, but your available balance has been gobbled up by this “hold.” Of course, you’re curious, and maybe a little mad.
But here’s where things get wild: some guests don’t just ask—they argue, passionately, that the money is gone forever. No explanation will convince them otherwise. “NO THIS WAS CHARGED! I CAN’T USE THE MONEY SO IT’S CHARGED!” they insist.
TheGryphonQueen sums it up perfectly: “Bestie, that’s what a hold IS. We HOLDA THA MONEY!” (Can we get this on a t-shirt, please?)
The Front Desk Perspective: A Never-Ending Script
If you’ve ever worked front desk, you know the drill. You explain the hold at check-in. You’ve got colorful signs. Maybe you even have a laminated FAQ. But when checkout rolls around, suddenly everyone is the Sherlock Holmes of credit card mysteries.
You say, “It is a preauthorization for incidentals. It will come off your card in 5-7 business days.”
They hear: “We’ve stolen your life savings and are now cackling in the back office.”
The cycle continues, day after day, night after night, until front desk workers everywhere are dreaming about explaining “holds” in their sleep.
Why Do Hotels Do This, Anyway?
It’s not just for fun (or to keep you from that milkshake). Hotels put a hold on your card as a safety net. If you order room service, rack up pay-per-view movies, or accidentally cause damage, they need a way to cover those costs. If nothing happens, the money is released. Simple, right?
Yet, the concept of “pending” or “held” funds seems to live in the same realm as Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster for many travelers: mysterious, confusing, and possibly a scam.
Tips for Travelers (and a Plea for Patience)
- Ask at check-in: If you’re unsure how much the hold will be, just ask! Most hotels are happy to tell you the amount and when it’ll be released.
- Use a credit card: Holds on debit cards can tie up actual cash, while credit card holds just reduce your credit limit temporarily.
- Plan ahead: If you’re traveling on a tight budget, factor in the hold so you’re not caught off guard.
- Be kind: The front desk staff is not out to get you. They’re just following policy (and probably repeating themselves for the hundredth time today).
In Conclusion: Can We All Just Listen to the Front Desk?
The next time you see a strange hotel charge, take a deep breath. Remember: it’s almost certainly just a hold for incidentals, not a secret plot to bankrupt you. And if you’re standing across from a weary front desk worker, maybe—just maybe—let them keep their sanity for one more day.
Have you ever been mystified by a hotel hold? Or do you have your own tales from the front desk trenches? Drop your stories (or your favorite “hold” memes) in the comments below!
Meta note: All credit to u/TheGryphonQueen and the r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk community for shining a hilarious light on hotel quirks!
Original Reddit Post: “What’s this charge on my bill???”