Credit card info while booking comped room?

Is it safe to share credit card info with casino host?
Harrah's properties always require credit card to reserve a comped room, not sure why? Does they have hidden charges? Or they will charge your card if you don't give them any action? Is it only for incidentals?


Say I am booking Harrah's hotel via host who has asked me to give credit card info for confirmation? Should i give my info only when i check-into the hotel? Or share it with my host prior at the time of reservation only?

It's standard. They ask me too each time I get my comped rooms too. If you are really bothered by it, you can get another credit card just for things like that. I have a card that I only use for things like online purchases and thing like hotel bookings. If it gets compromised there are only 1-2 places it would have happened. Prepaid cards are also an option, although I have heard that some places don't accept them for hotel deposits.

In my experience the card number is so they can hold the room for you. Then when you arrive, the number is for resort fees and/or incidentals. Of course that all depends on the type of comps you are getting. Sometimes it is all covered. Other times you may have to pay for a few small things.

You can also ask them why they need the card info now and not at check in. They will explain it to you. The more questions you ask if you are unsure about something, the better. Then you can decide if you feel safe about it or not.

Its safe enough even if its a bit of a pain. They usually put a hold on the card even if the room is free and want a card for your incidental charges even though they know that if they are comping you the room they will probably comp those incidental charges and not put them on your card at all. Remember: "policies" and "procedures" always trumps common sense or efficiency.

If you pull a no-show, you will get charged something (amount varies with each property's policy - a set fee, what the 1st night would've cost if it weren't comped, etc...). They need a CC on file in case this happens.

It's primarily if you're a no-show. In that case, they'll charge you for the room - even if they have tons of vacancy.

Sometimes, depending on the casino or your level of play, they'll simply deduct points if you're a no-show.


No matter what, if you haven't given them a card yet, they'll want one when you check in. You might get all your incedentals comped when you check out, but they want the card when you check in.

They want to be covered in the event that your turn out to be a rock start who wants to smash up the room.

Quote: dummyGambler

Is it safe to share credit card info with casino host?
Harrah's properties always require credit card to reserve a comped room, not sure why? Does they have hidden charges? Or they will charge your card if you don't give them any action? Is it only for incidentals?


Say I am booking Harrah's hotel via host who has asked me to give credit card info for confirmation? Should i give my info only when i check-into the hotel? Or share it with my host prior at the time of reservation only?

Having booked on Harrahs.com (now Caesars.com) numerous times, I can tell you that they do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING with the information if the room is entirely comped; no deposit, no charge, nothing. When you get to the hotel, they'll ask if you want to put the deposit on hold on that card, which you can switch, lay a cash deposit or in some cases, you don't have to put anything on hold if you don't want to (you won't have services turned on, but no biggie in most cases.) Each property is different though, so check on their website in the FAQ section and call the property directly if you have a question about deposits.

Btw, you can use a prepaid card that has no balance (like an old gift card) and just change the expiration date if you're really worried about information getting out. Like I said, on comped rooms, they do NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING with the information provided. And Harrah's does not do hidden charges, like resort fees and such. You pay for everything, no free internet, etc. but at least you get to decide what you want to use.

Where are you staying? I might be able to give you some information on that specific property's rules.

Quote: Tiltpoul

Having booked on Harrahs.com (now Caesars.com) numerous times, I can tell you that they do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING with the information if the room is entirely comped; no deposit, no charge, nothing. When you get to the hotel, they'll ask if you want to put the deposit on hold on that card, which you can switch, lay a cash deposit or in some cases, you don't have to put anything on hold if you don't want to (you won't have services turned on, but no biggie in most cases.) Each property is different though, so check on their website in the FAQ section and call the property directly if you have a question about deposits.

Btw, you can use a prepaid card that has no balance (like an old gift card) and just change the expiration date if you're really worried about information getting out. Like I said, on comped rooms, they do NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING with the information provided. And Harrah's does not do hidden charges, like resort fees and such. You pay for everything, no free internet, etc. but at least you get to decide what you want to use.

Not 100% true. I have had them charge the full value of my room in Total Rewards points when I no-showed once. Granted, it was half the cash value of the room (room retailed for $110-Caesars Windsor is posh), but I was not happy to have $55 in points deducted. They would not reverse it. Needless to say, I never no-showed again.

Quote: teddys

Not 100% true. I have had them charge the full value of my room in Total Rewards points when I no-showed once. Granted, it was half the cash value of the room (room retailed for $110-Caesars Windsor is posh), but I was not happy to have $55 in points deducted. They would not reverse it. Needless to say, I never no-showed again.

Ahh yes, I should have mentioned the no-show policy.

It is stated on the website, that they will deduct RCs for a no-show. Supposedly if you cancel within the allotted time (24-hours for most properties, 72-hours for Vegas) they still deduct the first night. However, I've never had that happen. I did do a no-show one time, and did get deducted 5000 RCs.