Making a deposit for a room

Olivia Covarrubias

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

I have walked from SJPP to Burgos in 2017
Will begin Burgos to Compostela in May of 2018

• Feb 28, 2018

• #1

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

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Multiple Caminos 2010 to 2019

• Feb 28, 2018

• #2

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

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2012

• Feb 28, 2018

• #3

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

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23

• Feb 28, 2018

• #4

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

 

Last edited: Mar 1, 2018

B

bmcbride

CVRambler

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances (2014), Camino Inca (2015), Primitivo (2017), Portugues (2018), Finisterre (2018)

• Mar 1, 2018

• #5

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

Moderator

Staff member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Francés, Norte, Salvador, Primitivo, Portuguese

• Mar 1, 2018

• #6

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

 

Olivia Covarrubias

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

I have walked from SJPP to Burgos in 2017
Will begin Burgos to Compostela in May of 2018

• Mar 1, 2018

• #7

Tincatinker said:

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.

Click to expand...

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

 

gittiharre

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2022 Camino Portuguese and Primitivo

• Mar 1, 2018

• #8

Olivia Covarrubias said:

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!

Click to expand...

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.