Payment for hotel 6 months in advance

NotSpaghetti

You can't always cancel - some bookings are not refundable.

Many bookings are not refundable so paying by Credit Card I'd a good idea particularly when booking through an agent like Booking.com

We have had confirmed bookings where the place was not available or a mistake on the website, getting a refund can be really difficult

I paid for DDs entire wedding in a hotel including accommodation for three nights for the main participants. I paid a deposit and settled the bill on departure. No problem.

You can't always cancel - some bookings are not refundable.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the event- I think it’s reasonable to pay in advance for that reason and to get a preferential rate. You have to pay it anyway, I think it’s worth doing it now for the peace of mind.

Most hotels do this now. Sometimes they will give you a discount for early payment.

I would ensure you pay by credit card, just in case of problems you will be covered.

It's a block booking deal Aveline at a wedding venue.
I'm sure that's why.

I always think that businesses must be in trouble if they expect payment in full on arrival or prior to arrival. Cash flow problems maybe? I have no problem paying a deposit though.

August is the height of the holiday season, so it doesn't seem unreasonable to me that you have to pay in full now.

Cruise lines are paid in full up to six months ahead. We book our cruises 12-18m ahead and we’re happy with the system. Restaurants take electronic credit card details. Tbh paying 6m in advance is ok with me

Thanks for all the comments. Yes, the room rate is slightly cheaper because it's a block booking. The option of finding somewhere else isn't really an option due to the location, and it would mean using a taxi jate at night too. We will pay it, of course, but interesting to hear others' views.

If you want a room guaranteed in that hotel you pay, or if a nearby hotel is cheaper later choose that.

Not particularly unusual especially when booking for an event. Seem to remember when booking hotels when a wedding is being hosted we have paid the full amount on booking including my daughters when we used all the rooms available.

Yes, we pay when booking.

My husband receives half in advance (his business) and the remainder at completion, which also seems reasonable, IMO.

I book a hotel for one night before flying as I have to be at the airport by 5 am.They take my credit card information which isn’t charged until I check in. If I don’t turn up they take the payment.Seems fair.I wouldn’t like to have to pay months in advance.

If it was me I would find alternative accommodation nearby

Easier said than done maybe?

A country house hotel may well be in a remoteish place and nothing else nearby, plus when it’s midnight or whatever after a busy day at the wedding, who wants to set off to another venue? And having had a drink maybe, getting a taxi?

No thanks.

Smileless2012

Why would your son be in prison now for asking his business clients to pay in advance keepingquiet?

I was exaggerating Smileless.

Some of his regular customers have paid him upfront when he's had large outlays, because they trusted him.

However, as a general rule it isn't good business practice to ask for money upfront, and something I would never do with a tradesperson.

There may be protection if you use a credit card for accommodation bookings, and a deposit might be more reasonable. I would not trust any hotel is they asked for all the money up front. They should have insurance against cancellations, and not expect customers to cough up a whole six months in advance.

If it was me I would find alternative accommodation nearby.

Why would your son be in prison now for asking his business clients to pay in advance keepingquiet?

We paid for the rooms we wanted as soon as our son and daughter-in-law booked the venue for their wedding a year in advance.

It’s not unusual at all. The hotel has to be sure of letting each room at peak holiday/ wedding time.
We’ve often had to do it when attending weddings.
If your at all worried then pay with your credit card, you’ll then be covered if it goes pear shaped.

Maybe they are in financial difficulty and need to cut their losses?

This isn't the way to run a business.

If my son did this in his business to all his clients he'd be in prison by now.

We are going to a wedding next Saturday and we haven’t paid anything.
I suppose it will be on the person who arranged the block booking if people don’t turn up.
I is a smallish hotel and the wedding guests have booked out all the rooms.
I wouldn’t be happy paying in full so far in advance, just a deposit.

Is this because a big party has preferential rates?
I negotiated preferential rates for (I think) 11 rooms two years ago.
I paid for them all upfront.

Weddings are awkward as you want the "block booking" discount but the hotel is aware of the risk if individuals don't pay.

YorkLady

Yes. We always pay in full when booking.

Even if you don't need to pay until 2 days before? ...why would you do that? .....I never pay until the very last date for oddments...usually 24 to 48 hours before....or a week if its an apartment

I guess it's not the same as booking booking.com......don't suppose you've got much choice