Booking reservation without a credit card

hi, I’d like to know if I make a reservation on Booking.com without a credit card and then don’t show up at the hotel, how will they charge me?

Hi there, Are you sure it's possible to book on Booking.com without a credit card? Personally, I either leave a "pre-authorization" with a virtual credit card or pay immediately—I haven’t seen any other way. Maybe I missed something! Have a great day.

No, I assure you, there are hotels where you can book without a credit card, but I’m wondering—if you don’t show up, how do they charge us? Do they send us a letter?

For example, I just tried a random reservation in Vincennes, and apparently, you have to leave your details and pay via PayPal (the hotel contacts you to arrange the payment). In this specific case, it’s mentioned that there’s a 40 € fee if the amount is paid in a currency other than euros...

Maybe through PayPal, I’d never paid attention to that before.

I need to go to Tanzania next week, and when I look for places in Zanzibar, some hotels let you book without a credit card—it’s written in green and bold in the listing.

Thanks for the tip, it could come in handy!

Actually, the only thing that bothers me is that they say if we don't show up, the full amount will be due. But I wonder how they do that since they don't ask for a credit card number—maybe by mail?

I have no idea at all!

Hi, I’d like to know—if I make a reservation on Booking.com without a credit card and then don’t show up at the hotel, how will they charge me?

You’d have to explain to me how you’re even able to book on Booking.com without a credit card or PayPal (which is linked to your card)...

I need to go to Tanzania next week, and when I look for Zanzibar, some hotels allow you to book without a credit card—it’s written in green and bold in the listing

The hotels accept cash payments, but to book on Booking.com, you have to provide your credit card details as a kind of deposit. If you don’t show up at the hotel and haven’t canceled your reservation, THAT’S when they charge your card.

Let’s take Dar es Salaam as an example since I’m looking at it right now. The Durban Hotel in Dar es Salaam accepts bookings without a credit card—go see for yourself, I promise it’s true! I even booked a hotel in Indonesia without giving my bank details, PayPal, or anything else—just my email, name, and mailing address. When I arrived at the hotel, my reservation had been properly recorded, and I hadn’t paid anything in advance. I’m actually surprised you’re not familiar with these practices on Booking. What I’m wondering, though, is: if I don’t show up, how will they charge me? Because we’re still warned that in case of a no-show, the full amount will be due.

Hi there,

Unless you don’t plan on showing up, I’m not sure I understand the point of this question?

Otherwise, it’s simple—just ask the hotel when you arrive, and they’ll definitely be able to answer you.

Unless you don’t plan on showing up, I’m not sure I get the point of this question?

😏😏😏

It’s to find out if they’ll send you a payment demand if you don’t go! Just hearing the word "legal action" freaks me out! 😏😏😎

Unless you don’t plan on showing up, I’m not sure I understand the point of this question?

😏😏😏

It’s to find out if they’ll send you a payment demand if you don’t go! Just hearing the word "legal action" freaks me out! 😏😏😎

Not to mention someone told me this weird story about another hotel that apparently had the bright idea to put up a very fancy warning sign in its lobby, written in beautiful gold lettering: "Running in the lobby is strictly forbidden, under penalty of legal action."! 😉 😏

"Running in the hall is strictly prohibited, under penalty of prosecution"! 😉😏

Raymond Devos 😉

"Running in the lobby is strictly prohibited, or you could face legal action"! 😉 😏

Raymond Devos 😉

Uh... well, no! It’s simply signed "Marco"! 🙂

You also need to understand the hotelier's position: they're blocking a room that the customer might be a "no-show" for, so they have no guarantee or incentive. Personally, I call the hotel directly and ask them to hold the room until 6 PM. That way, if I don’t show up by then, they still have time to sell the night.

you can indeed book on booking.com without providing a credit card, which I just did again today. So I’m bringing the question back up: how do they charge you if you don’t show up?

Some hotels accept reservations without a credit card. Out of respect for the hotel owner and the booking site, it's enough to cancel or let them know if you won't be coming. Besides, Booking provides a toll-free number for changes or cancellations.

I totally agree with you about basic courtesy 😉 My question was more about the practical side of the process😉

Hi, I’d like to know if I make a reservation on Booking without a credit card and then don’t show up at the hotel, how will they charge me?

Good evening, I’m in the same situation as you—is there a solution? Will they charge me, and how, and what’s the process? Thanks

you can't charge a credit card without providing the number it's also a risk for the hotel owner to hold the booking, but usually that's when there are plenty of empty rooms

thanks Fastkoala for the explanations;

You can indeed book on booking.com without providing a credit card, which I just did again today. So I’m bringing the question back: how do they withdraw money in case of no-show?

This is an old thread, but the question is still relevant...

How do they do it? Well, they simply don’t... because they can’t! They’re not going to take legal action for 30 €, 40 €, or 80 €. What do people do when they book a 40 € room for one night with TV/AC, and the room is poorly cleaned, and the TV is there but doesn’t pick up any channels? They do nothing...

Hi Razouk, I’m in the same situation as you and I’d love to know what happened for you. Thanks for your feedback!

Hi, Hotels now offer the option to make reservations without entering credit card details to make things easier for guests. If you don’t show up on the day of your check-in, the hotel simply loses the night and can only mark you as "no-show" after midnight, without being able to charge you a penalty. Not all hotels with this policy are necessarily ones with empty rooms—some just can’t afford to complicate their booking process compared to their competitors.

The most important thing to remember is that even if you don’t provide your credit card details, you should still take responsibility for your reservation. If you can’t make it, let the hotel know as soon as possible so the owner doesn’t wait for you unnecessarily and can try to sell the room at the last minute.

Hi,

Since you're replying to promote something, don't forget to include the link.

Michel

Given the dates, I think it's too late to do anything about it 😛