Making a deposit for a room

[Olivia Covarrubias]

I was asked if I could make a deposit for two rooms that I reserved. I got a BIC number along with other info, but I have never done this before and I'm in California. I usually use booking.com, but I also use the Leslie Gilmour guide and some of the hotels/hostals don't have a website, so I email them. Has anyone out there ever had to do this before? This is new to me and they are asking for a 25% deposit, but said it's not mandatory. I don't want to lose my reservations if we get there late in the evening.
Thank you for your help!

 

[naplesdon]

bookings.com asked for your credit card information and if you do not cancel within 24 hours or end up a no show you are charged for the night. I guess this is similar but I have never heard of it. Most place on the Camino are 8 to 12 euros and if you show up by 1 or 2 in the afternoon you are pretty much guaranteed a bed. Most pilgrims do not walk on the Camino late in the evening.

 

[Tincatinker]

This link may help with why you have been offered a BIC https://www.xoom.com/help/what-are-the-characteristics-of-an-iban-and-bic-number-in-spain

But as a non-mandatory deposit isn't mandatory, unless you are planning on travelling peak season, I wouldn't bother. Just confirm your reservation by 'phone or email a few days ahead.

 

[Robo]

I have just made a couple of bookings.
One didn't require anything.
Another required a credit a card to secure the booking. No drama.
I would happily have paid in advance to secure the room as I wanted this specif place where availability is very limited..

Lots of people book and don't turn up.........
There are always 2 sides

 

[bmcbride]

I was asked, a few times, to confirm my reservation (anywhere from 1 day to 1 week ahead) by email or phone. I never had to send a deposit.

 

[trecile]

The only time that I had to make a deposit was for Orisson.

 

[Olivia Covarrubias]

This link may help with why you have been offered a BIC https://www.xoom.com/help/what-are-the-characteristics-of-an-iban-and-bic-number-in-spain

But as a non-mandatory deposit isn't mandatory, unless you are planning on travelling peak season, I wouldn't bother. Just confirm your reservation by 'phone or email a few days ahead.

I'm going to call ahead. Thanks for the advice. We will be there in June

 

[gittiharre]

I was asked if I could make a deposit for two rooms that I reserved. I got a BIC number along with other info, but I have never done this before and I'm in California. I usually use booking.com, but I also use the Leslie Gilmour guide and some of the hotels/hostals don't have a website, so I email them. Has anyone out there ever had to do this before? This is new to me and they are asking for a 25% deposit, but said it's not mandatory. I don't want to lose my reservations if we get there late in the evening.
Thank you for your help!

I have been asked for a deposit when booking privately. When I looked into the bank fees to send a few dollars from New Zealand to France the charges were absurd for both parties. I explained this to the host and he was happy to waive request as long as I confirmed a couple of days before.