Getting a low cost cash advance to stay in a hotel is not a justified reason for obtaining a short-term loan. Using your debit card to secure your hotel room is inviting possible overdraft fees. There are many hidden fees that some hotel rooms can charge drastically increasing the low rate you might have found on the internet.
A typical practice by a hotel is to block out a certain amount of money on the card which you use to hold the room during your stay. This can cause many problems for those who use a debit card. The chance of overdraft charges will rise if you continue to use this card to cover other costs during your hotel stay. It can take a few days before that hold gets removed from your account. Debit cards are not the best option for hotel stays.
Online cash advance lenders disclose all costs before you receive the loan.
Hotels have many hidden fees which can add up fast. Keep these in mind the next time you stay overnight.
- Telephone charges – Many hotels will charge for phone use. Local calls and 800 numbers could possibly carry a fee. To keep these fees from being added to you bill, use your cell phone instead.
- Room service – It is expensive. You will save money by walking down to the hotel restaurant ordering yourself and bringing it back to the room. The service fee attached to the already steep food costs plus tipping the delivery person, are costs that will raise the price of your stay.
- Access to the internet – Many hotels have added this service to the amenities. Ask before you reserve the room in order to avoid this expense.
- Mini Bar – Not only is the honor bar tempting late at night, but it can be downright deadly if you have kids. A child even moving an item in a bar which is electronically monitored will be noted as sold.
- Bellman – a service which can get out of control. Some hotels will have multiple bellmen to help with luggage and the tips can get out of hand. One bellman may take the bags from the car to the lobby, then a second to the room. These costs will not affect your credit card, but will deplete the cash in your wallet pretty quickly. Invest you money in suitcases with wheels.
- Resort fees – all those items which you may have thought complimentary can cost from $10-$50. Access to fitness center, use of the pool, or even the “free” newspaper delivered to your door now has a price tag. If you have no plans in using any of these services while on your stay, you may want to talk with the manager at check-in in order to try to get the additional cost removed from your bill.
If you are aware of items which can add to your stay’s cost, ask before you reserve the room. One hotel’s policy does not mean every hotel will run business in the same manner.
Doing your homework before giving our personal information is best practice for financial safety. So whether you are reserving a hotel room, car rental or simply applying for an online cash advance from a direct lender, you will want to shop around and ask about all costs involved.
