Desire Resort Forums

In 2017 when we visited RM, our AMEX card was charged for only the first night in advance. According to the Desire reservation site, that is the policy on AMEX cards. Then when we checked in, they charged the remaining 7 nights to the same card. This year when we made the reservation they again charged only one night to hold the reservation. But then suddenly they charged the remaining 7 nights three weeks before we are to arrive. Does anyone know if this is a new policy? I called AMEX and they told me under their card agreement only one night is allowed to hold the reservation. Numerous phone calls and an email to Desire have gone unanswered.

We have always been charged 1 night at reservation time, and the balance is due by 30 days prior to arrival. We are members...it may vary depending on how you book/who you book through, but paid in full 30 days prior is how our reservations have always read.

I am surprised they didn't remind you that you had a balance due at the 30 day mark (assuming that is how your reservation reads). We get a "friendly reminder" at the 30 day mark even if we have been paid in full weeks or months ahead. I always panic a little at that point thinking that my payment didn't post correctly, etc.

bmerryman wrote:In 2017 when we visited RM, our AMEX card was charged for only the first night in advance. According to the Desire reservation site, that is the policy on AMEX cards. Then when we checked in, they charged the remaining 7 nights to the same card. This year when we made the reservation they again charged only one night to hold the reservation. But then suddenly they charged the remaining 7 nights three weeks before we are to arrive. Does anyone know if this is a new policy? I called AMEX and they told me under their card agreement only one night is allowed to hold the reservation. Numerous phone calls and an email to Desire have gone unanswered.

Here is their official Reservations Policy(which is on their booking confirmation email that you received)
ie: - full payment 30 days in advance of your stay has always been their norm

Original Resorts wrote: Reservation Policy: One-night payment is required as initial deposit to guarantee your room reservations - For bookings made within 29 days prior to the arrival, full payment is mandatory - All Bookings must be paid in Full 30 day’s prior Arrival date (Regular Booking and Promotions), We accept VISA, MC and AMEX. In your bank statement the charges will appear as ORIGINAL DRM or ORIGINAL DPL

Our friends also used Amex and was not charged the full amount until the day they arrived. We are Canadian and they called in advance when the dollar was at a good rate so they wanted to pay for their trip and the resort wouldn't do it until the day the got there. We do not use AMEX so we had to pay balance 30 days out.

We always pay everything up front and never had a problem.

Yes in past with our AMEX we always paid balance upon check in and it was charged in pesos. 15 days until our arrival and they charged our card the balance and some apparently they made a mistake on the amount as it was $250 more. Called reservations and they are reversing charges and going to charge correct amount. They tried to get us to leave it on for extras but we told them we always pay extras in cash. Hopefully no hiccups as this has never happened to us in our 10+ trips.

In the past the reservation confirmation included this...so the policy has changed..

Important Notes:
a) American Express (All American Express charges are in pesos at the exchange rate of the day and only 1 night deposit will be charged , the balance due should be paid upon arrival presenting Credit Card and ID. Be aware that if you pay with AMERICAN EXPRESS, your card will be subject to a surcharge in Mexican pesos and according to the hotels current exchange rate, that might vary. Also be advised that your bank might charge you a fee using your credit card for international transactions.

TwoDV8s wrote:In the past the reservation confirmation included this...so the policy has changed..

Important Notes:
a) American Express (All American Express charges are in pesos at the exchange rate of the day and only 1 night deposit will be charged , the balance due should be paid upon arrival presenting Credit Card and ID. Be aware that if you pay with AMERICAN EXPRESS, your card will be subject to a surcharge in Mexican pesos and according to the hotels current exchange rate, that might vary. Also be advised that your bank might charge you a fee using your credit card for international transactions.

It appears that the policy changed sometime in early October 2017, probably due to the upcoming big Secret Sale in Nov 2017 .....