Hotel room blocks with credit card

This is why I chose to book a block at a hotel that will release any unbooked rooms at no charge to me. What you're describing would be a deal breaker for me

Did you call the hotel? A lot of them offer the option to reserve a block of rooms without actually BOOKING them. All I had to do was sign a Letter of Intent. No credit card on file.

We reserved our block with the agreement the hotel would release any unused rooms by a certain date. No credit card was given to the hotel.

Mine did not require a credit card either.

I just went through the hotel booking process so my mind is on this topic right now. I didn't want to be responsible for anything my guests chose to do or not do, so I asked the hotel for courtesy blocks. Basically, it says that if anyone calls and says they're our wedding guest they receive either a flat rate on a certain room (I was able to negotiate with them to get some very sweet deals) or a percentage off of whichever room they wanted. I did this at 4 different hotels in different neighborhoods and in 4 different price points. Supplying my credit card would definitely not have been an option!

It would be better to book with no obligation. What if someone ends up not being able to attend.

Oh ok. The hotels said they won't charge my card unless I cancel rooms after the cut-off date. EEK! I seriously do not want to put down my card, unless I was a millionaire and didn't care. I think I'm going to just put in a list of nearby hotels that provide shuttles (in case people drink too much). That way, they pick and choose and pay without me worrying about it so much.

I wouldn't do this. I blocked at 3 places (1 I canceled when my venue changed) and not 1 asked for a credit card.

Do hotel blocks vs booking rooms.

I would never put a card down for something like that… If they want my business they'll reserve the rooms for me and release any unused rooms a month prior which gives them plenty of time.

Adult humans can leave home and book their own rooms. This is a relatively new development in wedding stress; booking blocks and then worrying about them.

Don't do it.

If you can't find a hotel that will do a block of rooms without a credit card ( I ran into this issue with my wedding because all of the close places were small, locally-owned hotels), I would just give guests a list of local hotels that you recommend. If there are larger chain hotels, they should allow you to hold a block of rooms at a specific rate and then release any unbooked rooms after a certain date. No credit card should be required.

Thanks everyone! I'm going to just give them a list with the invite.

Mine also was free/no obligation on our part.

This caught my attention because I have previous experience working in hotel operations. From what is being described here I'm a little confused, and I think there might be some kind of misunderstanding.

Is your ceremony and/or reception taking place at the hotel, or is this just a block so that OTAs can have a place to stay? Did you make a special request that guests not be required to provide their own CC when making their reservations?

It sounds to me like the hotel is saying that any no-shows will be billed to the master account. This really only makes sense to me if your guests aren't going to be providing their own CCs when they make their reservations, as no-show fees are usually charged to the card on file.

I'm not using the hotel for the wedding just for guests. It wanted my card to 'set aside' rooms for the guests but said that it would charge my card if it gets cancelled after the cut-off date of actually booking the rooms. I personally don't want to pay for their rooms.

Actually, looking back at the OP, I notice that the block is only for 15 rooms. I'm guessing that the block is for rooms only, and all festivities will be taking place elsewhere. Most hotels will have a minimum requirement for room blocks, usually in the range of 10-15 rooms. I'm thinking that the reason you ran into this situation is because if all 15 rooms don't get sold, you'd be below the minimum and thus not qualify for the discounted rate.

In a situation like this it's really best for you to not even bother setting up a room block, and let your guests make their own arrangements. Of course, I would wager that you probably sought this option out so you could arrange a bus pick-up before the event and drop-off after the event. If that is what you want to do, then this is the trade-off you have to accept when setting up a minimum volume room block.

Mine was free only thing we needed a credit card for was the shuttle to and from the reception

I just blocked off rooms at two hotels and the did not require a credit card. If the rooms are booked, they will release them back to the public. This is a deal breaker for me. I would run from this and find a new hotel.

Thanks, I'm not blocking any rooms. I'll feed the guests and entertain the guests. But they can get their rooms.