Universal Card holds

[Rescuer]

Originally Posted by Princess Ariel

That’s so strange as we’ve never had a hold up until our trip in May so we were caught out by it too. I wonder if it’s only recently they’ve really clamped down and are putting the hold on all guests?

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Quite possibly or maybe it’s just Portofino. We’ve had it before at Hard stock and RPR. As you say fine if it’s a night or two. We were at Portofino for 5 nights and no way did I want a $1000 hold.

[IBEX23]

I just queried this with Sapphire Falls as I wasn’t made aware of a $100 per night charge at check in and with a few days there on my next trip I thought it best to check. I only use my debit card in the US so pending charges can take a while to drop off and block spends on the trip.

Here was the reply:

So it seems at Sapphire Falls at least you can decline a room charge but leave a penny on file in case of room damages. There is also a cash option which may be preferable as this might get your money back quicker at check out rather than waiting for a charge to drop off.

[Rescuer]

Originally Posted by scouse_minx

I just queried this with Sapphire Falls as I wasn’t made aware of a $100 per night charge at check in and with a few days there on my next trip I thought it best to check. I only use my debit card in the US so pending charges can take a while to drop off and block spends on the trip.

Here was the reply:

So it seems at Sapphire Falls at least you can decline a room charge but leave a penny on file in case of room damages. There is also a cash option which may be preferable as this might get your money back quicker at check out rather than waiting for a charge to drop off.

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Really helpful for those going to quote that. Thanks and that mirrors our experience at Sapphire in Feb.

[Softy]

Originally Posted by Princess Ariel

That’s so strange as we’ve never had a hold up until our trip in May so we were caught out by it too. I wonder if it’s only recently they’ve really clamped down and are putting the hold on all guests?

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I’ve definitely had it at the big 3 whenever I’ve checked in over the last 10 years or so. I don’t monitor it after though, as I use a credit card that has a high enough limit for the trip.

[Princess Ariel]

Originally Posted by Softy

I’ve definitely had it at the big 3 whenever I’ve checked in over the last 10 years or so. I don’t monitor it after though, as I use a credit card that has a high enough limit for the trip.

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I wonder if we’ve never had it before because we had only booked 1 night stays? (Only to get the express passes) our trip in May we stayed 2 nights at portofino so I wonder if this was why? So weird!

[IBEX23]

Originally Posted by Rescuer

Really helpful for those going to quote that. Thanks and that mirrors our experience at Sapphire in Feb.

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That’s what I thought as I know how some staff make up the rules as they go along. Felt it was worthwhile to get something in writing.

[Triciamcl]

Originally Posted by Princess Ariel

To be fair I think Universal have only recently started doing this as we’ve stayed at HRH and RPR before and they’ve not taken any deposit at all so to go from no Deposit to a $200 a night deposit is a lot.
Like I said we did manage to negotiate it down to $100 a night but the alternative was we couldn’t stay there! I do think TA’s need to start stating this when you book as it’s a huge hold for some people.

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we stayed in RPR about 5 yrs ago and no hold taken then but we did just stay one night and did not charge to the room this time around with the grandkids we are staying at Cabaña Bay for 5 nights so just wont charge to the room dont want holds at universal and then holds at Disney would rather just charge at Disney

[landandword17]

That penny hold got my card blocked in Feb! Not at universal but when we were waiting to board our cruise I checked my banking app. That little hold was “pending,” we got on and went offline for 4 days only to be hauled off at security when disembarking and sent back to the ship as our card declined! Mucho embarrassing and when I called the bank they acted like that was so unusual when surely they see it all the time with US visitors.

Moral of the story, If you go for the penny hold double check your cards incase the algorithm doesn’t like it and it gets a hold put on.

[2littleboys]

Yep happened to me when I checked in on 18th July.

Still waiting on my money back as I made the mistake of using my Revolut prepaid card. I’m out of pocket by nearly $400

[IBEX23]

Originally Posted by landandword17

That penny hold got my card blocked in Feb! Not at universal but when we were waiting to board our cruise I checked my banking app. That little hold was “pending,” we got on and went offline for 4 days only to be hauled off at security when disembarking and sent back to the ship as our card declined! Mucho embarrassing and when I called the bank they acted like that was so unusual when surely they see it all the time with US visitors.

Moral of the story, If you go for the penny hold double check your cards incase the algorithm doesn’t like it and it gets a hold put on.

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Oh that’s a nightmare! But of course, good your bank was checking.

I’ve had the penny hold a few times when staying at Cabana Bay, and my bank has never queried it which makes me wonder if they’d spot a fraud attempt 😳