Pre-authorisations at Hotels: What are They?
What is a hotel pre-authorisation? Many ask this when booking a hotel direct and whether they are paying at the time of booking or at arrival or check-out at the hotel. First let’s explain what an pre-authorisation is. A hotel pre-authorisation is a temporary authorisation hold placed on a guest’s credit or debit card to confirm the card is valid and has sufficient funds to cover room charges and potential incidental expenses. It’s not a final charge but a temporary hold on funds, typically processed at check-in on arrival at the establishment, that is then released or adjusted to the final bill upon checkout. This process helps hotels prevent fraud and ensures payment for the stay.
