Charged Twice By Hotel – How To Stop Double Charges

Double billing by hotels can happen to even the most seasoned travelers, and it recently happened to us during a trip to the Sacramento area. A few months after our stay, we noticed something unexpected while reviewing our credit card statements: we were charged twice by the hotel. One charge came from Expedia, where we originally booked the room, and another was directly from the hotel. The result? Nearly $500 extra on our bill. Fortunately, we caught it in time and resolved the issue with a simple phone call, but it left us reflecting on how easily this could go unnoticed.

Here’s what happened in our case and what you can do to avoid a similar situation.

How It Happened

We had booked our hotel stay through Expedia, and everything seemed to be in order until we arrived earlier than planned and asked the hotel to add an extra night to our reservation. They were happy to accommodate us. However, while we thought the extra night was handled, the hotel inadvertently processed a direct charge for the entire stay and the payment we had already made through Expedia. The mistake wasn’t caught until I reviewed my credit card statements a few months later and realized we were double billed.

A quick call to the hotel solved the problem. The representative reviewed our account, noticed the double charge, and issued a credit promptly. But this situation got me thinking—what if I hadn’t seen it? That $500 could have been lost, all because of a simple booking oversight.

Common Circumstances That Lead to Double Charges

Our case isn’t unique. Here are some common scenarios where travelers might be charged twice:

1. Third-Party Booking Sites: When you book through a service like Expedia, the booking platform processes the payment. However, if a hotel mistakenly charges you directly for the same stay, a double charge can occur.
2. Extending or Modifying Your Stay: Like in our case, adding nights to an existing reservation or changing your booking at check-in can sometimes cause confusion in the billing process.
3. Pre-Authorization Holds: Some hotels place a hold on your credit card for incidentals, which can accidentally turn into an additional charge if not reconciled correctly.
4. Booking Issues at Check-In: If the front desk can’t find your prepaid reservation or there’s an issue with the booking system, they might charge you again for your room, thinking you haven’t yet paid.

How to Catch the Mistake

Catching a double charge isn’t difficult if you know what to look for. Here are a few tips that helped us and can help you too:

1. Review Your Credit Card Statements Regularly: A careful review of our statements a few months after the trip revealed the double charge. Checking your statements soon after each trip ensures that mistakes are quickly caught.
2. Keep Detailed Records of Each Trip: Keeping records of your reservations, including receipts and booking confirmations, makes it easier to cross-check charges. When tracking expenses across different booking platforms and credit cards, having a folder with all the relevant information can help you catch discrepancies.
3. Look Out for Duplicates: When reviewing your statement, look for multiple charges from the same hotel or similar amounts that might indicate a duplicate payment. Also, check if any charge seems higher than expected.
4. Ask for an Itemized Bill at Check-Out: Before leaving the hotel, request an itemized statement to ensure the charges reflect your booking and any additional nights or services. This simple step can help prevent confusion.

How We Solved It

Once we noticed the double billing, we called the hotel directly. The representative we spoke to was able to pull up our reservation and quickly saw the issue. After verifying that we had already paid through Expedia, they credited our card for the duplicate charge. Fortunately, the mistake was corrected promptly, but it underscored the importance of vigilance regarding travel expenses.

Final Thoughts

Double charges can add up fast, but with a bit of diligence, they can also be easy to spot and resolve. Regularly reviewing credit card statements, keeping organized records, and asking for an itemized bill can go a long way in catching and correcting errors. If we hadn’t noticed this mistake, it could have cost us hundreds of dollars—but fortunately, a little extra attention saved us from that headache.

Next time you travel, take a few extra minutes to check your receipts and your statements. It could save you from an unwelcome surprise.