use of lasr card when booking a hotel

The amount of the booking is the amount that your laser card will be charged when you make the booking, unless it specifically says that X amount will be taken as a deposit, and Y amount will be owed when you get to the hotel. If the website does not say that, you'll be charged the full whack as soon as you complete the online booking process. At the hotel, you may be asked to produce the card, or tell them the last 4 numbers of it so that they can confirm that you are the person who made the booking.

Most hotels charge people who are paying with a laser or debit card a deposit on arrival, regardless of whether or not you have booked with them directly or used a third party website. This is to protect them if you incur any charges in addition to the cost of your room, such as long distance phone calls, room service, charging meals to your room, using the mini bar etc etc. It will be refunded back to your card at check out if you have not incurred any of those charges. Not all hotels have the same policy on this. If that could be a problem for you, contact the hotel directly and what out what their policy is on that is before you make the booking.

If your laser card has 'Maestro' or 'Cirrus' on it then you can just present that at the hotel as they should walk abroad.

No need to pay in cash.

gerrowadat wrote: »

If the hotel is outside Ireland they will be unable to take Laser. Laser is ireland-only.

That's not true, as long as it has a cirrus or maestro mark. I've never had any problems in any country I've visited, although I found in the odd shop in Germany the card terminals in shops don't work. If you're worried ATMs always work for Maestro/Cirrus so maybe take out some cash before arrival if it's abroad.

I've worked in a number of hotels and whether or not full payment is taken in advance completely depends on the website in question, however if only part payment is taken you will need to pay in full with cash, laser or visa debit on check in if you don't have a credit card. Depending on the hotel some will take a deposit or just block you from having credit on your room if you don't use credit card to cover any potential losses.

Usually if it's fully paid in advance you will have some kind of voucher or email receipt to present at the hotel rather than the card used to pay. Hope that helps!