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That title doesn't make sense, but still...
If there's one thing that's gonna be the end of me, it'll be that bloody pre-authorisation policy hotels and motels everywhere have been doing lately.
(Sorry if I'm prattling on, but I'm gonna do a recap)
So pre-authorisation is a security bond done with a credit or debit card through an EFTPOS machine. We type in an amount to authorise and run it through. The BANK of the card gets a message to freeze that amount for 7 BUSINESS days max or if we fax them earlier. I did some research and it is possible to do it with debit cards, but instead of lowering the limit like credit cards, that amount will vanish and return at the end of the period.
We can do cash deposits of course.
On my latest shift, I got a call from a lady that stayed last Friday asking why it wasn't released yet. Apparently she was told that the release period was 3-5 days. I talked to the clerk on duty that night and they said 5-7. I tried to talk her down, but she was convinced it was the former. I called her bank and the consultant said it definitely was 7 days. I even checked an online instruction manual for that bank's debit cards.
The consultant just told me to send a fax anyway and just repeat what we just talked about to the guest. I did just that, but they still weren't impressed. Also, I may have slipped and gotten confused that her bank releases authorisations after 10 days when it was really a different bank. She then asked me what bank the motel was with and she told me she was gonna take it up with her bank and ours. I guess she didn't want to listen to the part where it's HER bank freezing the money not our's.
Seriously, this policy has caused me no end of grief when it comes to people checking out. I cop so much abuse from this job, it's almost unfair. It's on our confirmation emails, it's in the fine print on the websites; READ IT! Also, google how authorisation works if you don't know about it, but I guess it's easier to blame the motel EVEN THOUGH WE EXPLAIN IT CLEARLY WHEN YOU ARRIVE.
Do you think I enjoy enforcing the rules? It's my job, I have to. (Granted I do bend the rules now and again)
There's no point in making miserable, when I've done all I can in my power to fix this. Also, don't treat me like I'm the one responsible for your problem.
rant over
If there's one thing that's gonna be the end of me, it'll be that bloody pre-authorisation policy hotels and motels everywhere have been doing lately.
(Sorry if I'm prattling on, but I'm gonna do a recap)
So pre-authorisation is a security bond done with a credit or debit card through an EFTPOS machine. We type in an amount to authorise and run it through. The BANK of the card gets a message to freeze that amount for 7 BUSINESS days max or if we fax them earlier. I did some research and it is possible to do it with debit cards, but instead of lowering the limit like credit cards, that amount will vanish and return at the end of the period.
We can do cash deposits of course.
On my latest shift, I got a call from a lady that stayed last Friday asking why it wasn't released yet. Apparently she was told that the release period was 3-5 days. I talked to the clerk on duty that night and they said 5-7. I tried to talk her down, but she was convinced it was the former. I called her bank and the consultant said it definitely was 7 days. I even checked an online instruction manual for that bank's debit cards.
The consultant just told me to send a fax anyway and just repeat what we just talked about to the guest. I did just that, but they still weren't impressed. Also, I may have slipped and gotten confused that her bank releases authorisations after 10 days when it was really a different bank. She then asked me what bank the motel was with and she told me she was gonna take it up with her bank and ours. I guess she didn't want to listen to the part where it's HER bank freezing the money not our's.
Seriously, this policy has caused me no end of grief when it comes to people checking out. I cop so much abuse from this job, it's almost unfair. It's on our confirmation emails, it's in the fine print on the websites; READ IT! Also, google how authorisation works if you don't know about it, but I guess it's easier to blame the motel EVEN THOUGH WE EXPLAIN IT CLEARLY WHEN YOU ARRIVE.
Do you think I enjoy enforcing the rules? It's my job, I have to. (Granted I do bend the rules now and again)
There's no point in making miserable, when I've done all I can in my power to fix this. Also, don't treat me like I'm the one responsible for your problem.
rant over
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