Travel ex cash pass port

[cris r]

I wonder if anyone out there can answer a question. My son is out in the states on holiday. He took out a cash pass port card instead of carrying money around. it has worked well when purchasing goods and paying bills ect. But whilst in Chicargo he was asked for a credit card when booking into his hotel, as guarantee.( no problem )but when he checked his online statement he found they had taken out 150 dollars. When he queried this they said it was standed practice and it would be put back into his account. But he explained that the card he had given as a guarentee was not a a debit card it was a travel ex they insisted it was fine, up untill now it has not gone back into his account this was last week. has anyone had this happen to them will this card allow money to be put back in by another person?

[dzug]

There have been reports of problems using this type of card for hotels - it's not uncommon to be charged twice. The reason (I think) is that you cannot 'pre-authorise' with this type of card - you (the merchant) HAVE to take the money. Then if you don't realise that it is a prepaid card you charge again on departure, expecting the preauthorised amount to quietly fade away. It doesn't of course as it's already been taken.

It all gets sorted out in the end - but he could be home before it happens and may need to take it up with the card company.