Invalid Credit Cards From Booking

[Arks]

Anybody else getting a lot of these lately? Three of my last 4 reservations from Booking have had an invalid credit card number when I try to run the deposit. Then it's the pain of having to hold the room while Booking goes through the process of contacting the guest and asking for another CC number.
None of the invalid ones have ever responded, so I end up cancelling the reservation after 24 hours. It's a lot of extra trouble to have to go through the cancellation process with Booking plus manually entering the CC info and trying to run it in Reskey.
I'm just wondering if this is some new scam people are trying since Booking doesn't actually test CC info when the guest enters it, to see if it's a valid number. If I didn't take a deposit up front, would they actually show up and hope I don't charge the CC until their day of departure or something, at which time they plan to disappear before we get to that?
I can't imagine someone going to the trouble to make a reservation with an invalid CC, but it has been happening a lot lately.

 

[GoodScout]

We get them from booking about 5% of the time. Between this and the fact that b.c guests are more likely to be HM's than other OTA guests keeps them on the tipping point with us. Since we don't take a deposit, it's bitten us twice in the past 3 years where we get a no-show and then the card is no good to charge the cancellation fees.

 

[gillumhouse]

They seem to get a lot of this in the UK - they make the reservation to get the printout as proof, use that to get a visa, and then cancel or no show but the card is invalid.

 

[Morticia]

There are a few innkeepers complaining about this. It's good to check the credit card by taking the deposit. But, yes, it's a pain waiting for booking to get back to the guest.
Are you seeing a trend? Particular location?

 

[2cat_lady]

I had three last year. So far this year, one. I didn't want anyone that night anyways, so I didn't really care but it ticked me off when I was busy. Booking does tell their bookers that the site reserves the right to preauthorize their credit card. I may do more of that come the season.

 

[GoodScout]

I'm just flabbergasted they don't verify the cards when someone books. Every other OTA does this except them, it's not like the technology is complex.

 

[Arks]

There are a few innkeepers complaining about this. It's good to check the credit card by taking the deposit. But, yes, it's a pain waiting for booking to get back to the guest.
Are you seeing a trend? Particular location?.

Are you seeing a trend? Particular location?

Only trend is that I've been getting more invalid cards than valid ones through Booking since December. No particular location. Addresses have been in New York, California, Illinois, all around the country. None foreign.
And it's not like they're coming back as rejected for something like address mismatch or over credit limit. They are declined due to it being an invalid card number. Booking should be able to check that without even having to submit anything to the issuing bank.

 

[Lee2014]

We get them from booking about 5% of the time. Between this and the fact that b.c guests are more likely to be HM's than other OTA guests keeps them on the tipping point with us. Since we don't take a deposit, it's bitten us twice in the past 3 years where we get a no-show and then the card is no good to charge the cancellation fees..

HM?

 

[gillumhouse]

We get them from booking about 5% of the time. Between this and the fact that b.c guests are more likely to be HM's than other OTA guests keeps them on the tipping point with us. Since we don't take a deposit, it's bitten us twice in the past 3 years where we get a no-show and then the card is no good to charge the cancellation fees..

HM?
.

I took it to mean High Maintenance - aka PITA

 

[Lee2014]

We get them from booking about 5% of the time. Between this and the fact that b.c guests are more likely to be HM's than other OTA guests keeps them on the tipping point with us. Since we don't take a deposit, it's bitten us twice in the past 3 years where we get a no-show and then the card is no good to charge the cancellation fees..

HM?
.

I took it to mean High Maintenance - aka PITA
.

Thought it equal bad news.....

 

[user 26]

So this is not possibly just an incorrect expiration date?
or
I have received two notices in the mail that two of my credit cards are being replaced with new cards ... new numbers ... because of breaches at the banks. And being me I thought the letters were just trying to sell me on applying for more credit so I delayed opening them. (my bad) Is it possible that is happening?
I hate to think that this is scammers booking a room who will cancel and request a refund from you?

this stuff!

 

[Copperhead]

Got a reservation last night for today. Decided I would just wait for arrival to run the card.
They had provided a ETA but did not arrive or phone.
It is now past my normal check in so I ran the card, declined! (wanted to know if it was worth my time waiting around)

I think due to lack of funds as Square will tell you during the key in process if any of the components are incorrect.
I went straight to B.com to report the failed card.
B.com posted a message stating: [edited]"We have sent an email to the guest asking to provide new credit card details before 18.00 hours on the day of arrival. Our experience shows that the guest might already be travelling. Therefore we kindly ask you to hold the reservation until 18.00 hours before arrival. If the guest does not arrive before 18.00 hours on the day of arrival you will have the possibility to cancel the reservation"
It was after 18:00 hrs when I reported it to them, actually it was 19:30 hrs.
I know that their system is not set up to match time zone details as the reservation came in yesterday ~7pm and the email subject said New Booking Arriving Today. I was freaking out for a moment until I saw the 2/20 date.

 

[Morticia]

Got a reservation last night for today. Decided I would just wait for arrival to run the card.
They had provided a ETA but did not arrive or phone.
It is now past my normal check in so I ran the card, declined! (wanted to know if it was worth my time waiting around)

I think due to lack of funds as Square will tell you during the key in process if any of the components are incorrect.
I went straight to B.com to report the failed card.
B.com posted a message stating: [edited]"We have sent an email to the guest asking to provide new credit card details before 18.00 hours on the day of arrival. Our experience shows that the guest might already be travelling. Therefore we kindly ask you to hold the reservation until 18.00 hours before arrival. If the guest does not arrive before 18.00 hours on the day of arrival you will have the possibility to cancel the reservation"
It was after 18:00 hrs when I reported it to them, actually it was 19:30 hrs.
I know that their system is not set up to match time zone details as the reservation came in yesterday ~7pm and the email subject said New Booking Arriving Today. I was freaking out for a moment until I saw the 2/20 date..

It kind of sounds like people have found the loophole. They enter a bad card number possibly for multiple places and then pick the one they want as they get closer to their destination knowing they can't be charged.
You know if we were canceling 75% of our reservations and only honoring one, booking would have a fit because we are sitting ducks. The guest is a moving target who doesn't even have to provide valid info.

 

[MtnKeeper]

Another reason I won't use them anymore. I had signed up trying to fill midweek rooms during the summer with European guests as my competition has everything listed with them. I'm always full weekends and foliage so it was a try for more midweek occupancy. I watched and waited and not only didn't I get any for midweek neither did my competition who was foolishly putting even weekends on so I make more money in the long run because they were paying a booking commission on every single reservation. Gotta know your business - it you don't need these guys, dump 'em.

 

[EmptyNest]

If I was still an innkeeper, there is no way I would waste my time or money with booking. Com

 

[TheBeachHouse]

Had a cancellation due to the bad weather. Sent an email to bdotc telling them of the cancellation.
They wanted payment. We said no, we sent you an email. They asked for 'documentation.' DH said, I sent you an email. They asked again for 'documentation.'
He (nearly ) shouted, how do I document a phone call??? They called me, I emailed you! That's all the documentation there is.
It was a longer than necessary, frustrating phone call.

 

[Morticia]

Had a cancellation due to the bad weather. Sent an email to bdotc telling them of the cancellation.
They wanted payment. We said no, we sent you an email. They asked for 'documentation.' DH said, I sent you an email. They asked again for 'documentation.'
He (nearly ) shouted, how do I document a phone call??? They called me, I emailed you! That's all the documentation there is.
It was a longer than necessary, frustrating phone call..

Had a cancellation due to the bad weather. Sent an email to bdotc telling them of the cancellation.

Require the guest to make the cancellation themselves thru booking. I've had guests argue with me about this but it avoids the situation you had. Then you have proof from them because they have to email you to tell you to the rez is cancelled.
The guest receives an email from booking with the confirmation and info about how to cancel. In my confirmation I tell the guest all cancellations must go thru booking.

 

[JBloggs]

Yes you really have to stay on top of it all if you use b-com.

 

[JBloggs]

If I was still an innkeeper, there is no way I would waste my time or money with booking. Com.

If I was still an innkeeper, there is no way I would waste my time or money with booking. Com

Some locations do really well with it. But it can be 6 of one half dozen of another. I considered them for these concert goers, but i don't want to have more trouble than it is worth, plus paying for myallocator and their monthly fee increase... Which at the time when I considered it didnt allow special rate or periods, like a two night min over a holiday weekend, etc.

 

[TheBeachHouse]

Had a cancellation due to the bad weather. Sent an email to bdotc telling them of the cancellation.
They wanted payment. We said no, we sent you an email. They asked for 'documentation.' DH said, I sent you an email. They asked again for 'documentation.'
He (nearly ) shouted, how do I document a phone call??? They called me, I emailed you! That's all the documentation there is.
It was a longer than necessary, frustrating phone call..

Had a cancellation due to the bad weather. Sent an email to bdotc telling them of the cancellation.

Require the guest to make the cancellation themselves thru booking. I've had guests argue with me about this but it avoids the situation you had. Then you have proof from them because they have to email you to tell you to the rez is cancelled.
The guest receives an email from booking with the confirmation and info about how to cancel. In my confirmation I tell the guest all cancellations must go thru booking.
.

Had a cancellation due to the bad weather. Sent an email to bdotc telling them of the cancellation.

Require the guest to make the cancellation themselves thru booking. I've had guests argue with me about this but it avoids the situation you had. Then you have proof from them because they have to email you to tell you to the rez is cancelled.
The guest receives an email from booking with the confirmation and info about how to cancel. In my confirmation I tell the guest all cancellations must go thru booking.

DH did tell the guest to cancel with bkg. He sent the email as a double check and good thing he did.
I would like to drop them as well, but we do get a lot of business that way.