Deposit and hold at hotel check-in

A deposit is not an extra charge but a temporary hold on your card for possible expenses: minibar, late check-out, damage to the room. The money isn’t debited — it’s “frozen” and released after check-out, usually within 3—14 days.

In short

At the desk the hotel places a pre-authorization on your card — usually $50—200 per night or a fixed amount. This is not a charge: on a clean check-out the hold is released within 3—14 days. Use a credit card rather than a debit one: a credit card blocks your limit, not your own money. A prepaid rate covers the stay only — the deposit is taken separately.

01 / WhyWhy the hotel takes a deposit

The deposit covers so-called incidentals — costs that may arise during the stay and aren’t in the booking. The hotel guarantees it won’t have to chase a guest with a bill after check-out.

Minibar and room service — drinks, snacks, in-room dining.
Late check-out and early check-in, if not included in the rate.
Damage to the room — broken or spoiled items, smoking in a non-smoking room (the fine is often $150—300).
Paid services — spa, parking, phone, laundry, city or resort fee.

02 / How muchHow much is held

The hotel sets the deposit amount itself and states it in the booking terms. Most often it’s $50—200 per night or a fixed sum for the whole stay. The higher the hotel category, the larger the hold:

Category	Typical deposit	Form	Release
3★, aparthotels	$30—60 / night	Card hold	3—7 days
4★, city	$50—100 / night	Card hold	5—10 days
5★, resorts	$100—200 / night	Card hold	7—14 days
Villas, luxury	$500—2000 fixed	Hold or cash	up to 14 days

Check the exact amount in your bookingThe deposit amount is always stated in the specific hotel’s “Check-in policy” section. If it isn’t there, message us and we’ll confirm with the hotel before you arrive.

03 / Hold or cashPre-authorization vs cash

Almost everywhere the deposit is taken as a pre-authorization (hold) on a bank card: the amount is blocked but not debited. A cash deposit is rarer — usually in small hotels and on villas. The difference is fundamental:

Card hold. The money is “frozen” and unavailable to you, but the hotel doesn’t receive it. It’s released automatically.
Cash. You hand over the sum at the desk and get a receipt — keep it until check-out. The refund is in cash at check-out.
Resort fees may be charged immediately — that is a payment, not a deposit, and is non-refundable.

Cash deposit — get a receiptIf the deposit is paid in cash, always demand a stamped receipt with the amount. Without it, proving you paid will be hard at check-out, especially after a front-desk shift change.

04 / At the deskHow check-in works

Have your card and passport ready

At the desk you’ll be asked for a passport and a bank card. The card should be in the guest’s name and support pre-authorization — preferably a credit card.

BookingH-DXB-77C2

Deposit · 3 nights$150 hold

Confirm check-in →

The hotel runs a pre-authorization

The terminal blocks the deposit — you’ll get an SMS like “Hold $150”. The money hasn’t gone to the hotel: it’s a reserve on your card for incidentals.

Enjoy your stay

Everything you order to the room or at the spa goes on the room account and is reconciled with the deposit at check-out. You’ll get an itemized bill on departure.

Check-out and release

If there are no claims, the hotel closes the pre-authorization and the bank releases the hold. The amount “unfreezes” within 3—14 days depending on your bank.

Releasing the hold depends on your bank, not the hotelThe hotel closes the pre-authorization on check-out day, but the money actually returns to your available balance within 3—14 days — this is the issuing bank’s timeline. If the hold isn’t released after 14 days, contact your bank with the check-out date.

05 / CurrencyConversion on release

If the deposit is held in the hotel’s currency while your card is in roubles, the sum is converted twice — at the hold and at the release. Because of exchange-rate differences, slightly more or less may return than was blocked. This is normal and not a charge.

01Ask to have the deposit held in the local currency, not roubles — your bank converts more favourably than the hotel terminal (DCC).
02Don’t be alarmed by a couple of percent of exchange difference on release — it’s a revaluation, not a loss.
03Keep the pre-authorization slip — your bank uses it to reconcile the hold and the release.

06 / PrepaidPrepaid vs pay-at-hotel

The rate affects what is already paid but doesn’t cancel the deposit — it’s taken either way. Tell them apart:

Rate	When you pay for the stay	Deposit at desk
Prepaid	At booking	Yes, separately
Pay at hotel	At check-in / out	Yes, plus the stay
Non-refundable prepaid	Upfront, no refund	Yes, separately

A credit card beats a debit oneA credit card blocks your credit limit, not your own cash — you don’t feel the “freeze”. On a debit card the amount really drops out of your available balance and returns only after 3—14 days. For large deposits, always use a credit card.

07 / FAQFrequently asked

Is the deposit an extra charge?

No. It’s a temporary hold on your card for possible expenses. If you owe the hotel nothing, the full amount is returned.

Can I check in without a deposit?

Rarely. Some hotels skip the deposit on a prepaid rate with no paid services, but most require it. Check the booking terms.

Why is the money still blocked after a week?

Releasing the hold is the bank’s timeline, not the hotel’s: usually 3—14 days. If more than two weeks have passed, contact your bank with the check-out date and the pre-authorization slip.

Will a virtual card work?

Usually no: the desk needs a physical chip card for the pre-authorization, sometimes the very card that paid for the booking. Many hotels won’t accept virtual or prepaid cards for the deposit.

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