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Hotel incidentals: What they are and how they work
Learn what counts as an incidental, how much hotels hold, and how long holds last.
Hotel incidentals are extra charges added to your room bill (e.g., minibar items, parking, room service), in addition to the room rate and taxes. To cover them, hotels place a temporary hold on your card at check-in.
This guide contains:
- What counts as an incidental charge
- How an incidental hold works
- How much hotels hold for incidentals
- How to avoid hotel incidental charges
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What counts as an incidental charge at a hotel?
An incidental is anything added to your folio (i.e., your itemized hotel bill) beyond the room rate and taxes. Hotels track these charges by room number, so anything you sign to your room ends up on the bill.
Let’s examine the main types:
- Food and drink: Minibar items, in-room bottled water and snacks, room service, restaurant and bar tabs, and gift shop purchases
- Services: Laundry and dry cleaning, in-room phone calls and movies, business center services, and WiFi where it isn’t included
- Fees: Parking and valet, spa, and fitness classes
- Damage and penalties: Room damage, smoking in a non-smoking room, theft of hotel property, lost keys, and extra cleaning
Note that policies differ by property.
Some hotels bill incidentals only for long-distance calls, breakage, and smoking, while others add upgrades (e.g., late checkout) to the list.
What’s an incidental hold and how does it work?
An incidental hold (also called an authorization hold) is a temporary block on funds on your card the hotel places at check-in. The money is set aside until the hotel settles your bill, but it isn’t charged yet.
In the case of Marriott, for instance, the total hold covers:
- The room rate for your entire stay
- Local or state lodging taxes
- A daily incidental deposit
Hilton and IHG describe it the same way, with estimated incidentals added to the room and tax total.
Now, the hold only becomes a charge for what you use, and at checkout the hotel applies the final bill and releases the rest.
Note: A prepaid room or a third-party booking doesn’t remove the hold. You’ll still need to present a card at check-in, and it doesn’t have to be the card you booked with. If your company booked the room, the hotel may ask for a credit card authorization form (i.e., a signed form that lets the hotel charge the company’s card) before you arrive.
Why do hotels charge for incidentals?
Hotels charge for incidentals to protect themselves. The hotel extends you credit during your stay, so it needs a guaranteed way to collect for extras and damage.
The hold also lets the hotel charge services to your room and allows you to pay for everything at once at checkout.
It also gives the hotel a record of your consent. A signed registration card or digital check-in confirmation shows you agreed to the hold, which supports the hotel if you dispute a charge later.
How much do hotels hold for incidentals?
Each property sets its own incidental hold amount, so it differs from hotel to hotel. Below are a few examples from hotel policy pages:
- Hyatt Place Colorado Springs Downtown: $40 per night
- Hyatt Regency Santa Clara: $50 per night
- Hyatt House Denver Tech Center: $50 per night
- Rio Las Vegas: $100 per night for incidentals and security
- Arlo Wynwood: $150 per night, capped at $500
Keep in mind that if you book several rooms, each room gets its own hold.
How long does an incidental hold last?
The hotel releases the hold at checkout, but your bank determines how quickly the money is returned. Release times run from 72 hours to ~10 business days, and up to 30 days in some cases.
Here’s what a few popular hotels state:
| Hotel | Stated release time |
|---|---|
| Marriott | Most banks release it in 3–7 business days, and cards from international banks may take up to 30 days |
| Hilton | Within 72 hours of checkout, or longer depending on your card provider |
| IHG | At your card provider’s discretion, and at least 72 hours for holds on a bank or checking account |
| Hyatt Regency Santa Clara | Typically 5–10 business days |
| Hyatt Place Colorado Springs Downtown | 7–10 business days for debit card holds, or up to 30 days depending on your bank |
Unused amounts are automatically returned, so you don’t need to request a refund. Still, charges you incurred aren’t refunded, and some may post after checkout.
Credit or debit card
A credit card hold reduces your available credit, while your bank balance stays the same. A debit card hold ties up the money in your account, which can leave you short on long stays or when holds overlap.
That’s why it’s a good idea to keep a buffer in the account above the hold amount and have a backup card ready if you use debit.
How to avoid hotel incidental charges: 5 Tips
A few habits at check-in and checkout keep incidental charges and holds from catching you off guard:
- Ask for the hold amount and what it covers before you arrive.
- Use a credit card at check-in, so your cash is available.
- Skip the minibar, or have the front desk turn off in-room charging so you pay as you go.
- Review your folio line by line before checkout.
- Request that the front desk release the hold at checkout. Then, watch your statement for about a week.
Getting ready for a work trip? Check our guides to a business trip plan, a business travel checklist, and a business trip packing list.
How to manage hotel incidentals for traveling employees
If you manage travel for a team, incidentals can turn into a finance problem, as employees cover holds on personal cards, holds stack across rooms, debit holds lock up cash, and charges post after checkout.
Here’s how to keep them under control:
- Set per-night caps and a list of reimbursable incidentals (e.g., WiFi, parking) in your travel policy.
- Move approved incidentals to a company card or account, so travelers don’t carry the hold on their own cards.
- Send the hotel a credit card authorization form for rooms booked through a third party.
- Negotiate WiFi, parking, and resort fees into the room rate when you book many rooms.
- Match late-posting charges to the correct trip and project when reconciling expenses.
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FAQ
Hotels rarely waive the incidental hold, but some accept a cash deposit instead or skip it for loyalty members or approved company billing. It’s best to ask the hotel about its policy when you book.
To dispute an incorrect hotel incidental charge, start with the front desk or the hotel’s accounting team, with your folio and booking confirmation in hand, and ask for a manager if that doesn’t resolve it. If the hotel won’t correct it, dispute the charge with your card issuer and keep receipts, screenshots, and emails as evidence.
I’m a writer with over eight years of experience in digital content. My work has appeared in publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, Business Insider, and the BBC. At Holafly, I write clear, practical guides to help travelers stay connected with eSIM technology. In my spare time, I enjoy car detailing, biking around Warsaw, and capturing portraits.
