Dinner Reservations - Credit Card Needed

Jules

Jules

SF VIP
Would you make a reservation if you had to provide a credit card?

This is starting to happen with some nicer restaurants because of folks failing to show up. $50 penalty for a no show. I can understand that popular places can’t afford to have tables sitting empty.
 

No, I don't get that, even the best restaurant will have people showing up to try to get a table without a reservation. If they are in the position they need to charge for a no show, they are not as great as they think they are. They know they are still going to make money. A $50 charge is pocket change to these establishments, they will fill the table. Just a dinner for 2 can run into the hundreds of dollars. There is always someone who wants a table.

I have never been to such a place but my son and his wife have. I guess it is a young people thing but I would never spend that kind of money on one meal. There were times in my marriage, at family reunions, they would go to a high end place like the French Room in Dallas. I refused to go because I thought it was stupid waste of money. Every one has there own idea of what is acceptable in costs. I have been to a few high end places, white glove, 10 pieces of cutlery, yada yada yada, but as a guest, during a work conference or as part of a wedding. Frankly, I was uncomfortable the whole time.
 

I think that it's become more common for restaurants to ask for a credit card at time of booking, since they lost so much money during covid with empty restaurants etc.. and now they can't afford to lose more with no shows. I would never give my card to a restaurant unseen.. I just tell them they can take a deposit,.. but they're not getting my card details
 
The restaurants where I live do not require a credit card. In fact, many of them and other businesses also are requesting not using credit cards based on the fees. If you use one at my favorite Chinese restaurant, they charge you a fee for using it. Most restaurants here only need a reservation on special holidays.
 
katlupe said:
The restaurants where I live do not require a credit card. In fact, many of them and other businesses also are requesting not using credit cards based on the fees. If you use one at my favorite Chinese restaurant, they charge you a fee for using it. Most restaurants here only need a reservation on special holidays.
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Very few Chinese restaurants here take card.. mostly it's strictly Cash only, particualrly with the Take-aways
 
I'm not a restaurant person, but I do know that every minute there's someone sitting at the tables means income. You've got 'x' amount of hours to feed 'y' customers-the bigger the "Y" means the bigger the profit margin. Prompt efficient service isn't just for patrons, it's for the bottom line. Plus, I think it's a headache to deal with people who make reservations, and may, or may not show up, and won't call to cancel, which costs the restaurant lost time and expenses.
 
My response would be, "Just cancel my reservation."
Then I would post reviews to warn others. And I have, & caught hell from a couple of owners.
I've done the same with electric gate repair companies. Some want $100.00 just to show up (from 5 miles away). When I tell them what I think, they'll say, "Well, if you hire us, we'll subtract the $100.00. (Yeah.....like they won't just add it to their price, then subtract it)
I'll say, "What if I don't like you or your price is ridiculous? I've wasted $100.00. What If I shop around, like any smart consumer? After I've had 3 estimates, I've wasted $300.00."
 
Tit for tat. You're asking them to hold a table for you, why shouldn't they ask for some kind of guarantee that you'll show up?

I've had to provide a credit card at motels and the like, even when I'm paying cash. It's annoying, and even inconvenient (e.g., when they hold the funds for longer than I like). But if I don't like it, I can stay home.
 
Disney World has been doing that for a while at their more popular restaurants. People would make dinner reservations at 2 or 3 restaurants and then show up at the one most convenient for them, leaving the other reservations to expire.

So now, there's a reservation fee that's applied to your bill if you show up, but not refunded if you're a no-show or cancel too late.
 
jujube said:
Disney World has been doing that for a while at their more popular restaurants. People would make dinner reservations at 2 or 3 restaurants and then show up at the one most convenient for them, leaving the other reservations to expire.

So now, there's a reservation fee that's applied to your bill if you show up, but not refunded if you're a no-show or cancel too late.
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I know a guy who does this regularly; makes several reservations and doesn't cancel the ones he isn't using. Selfish lout he is and just doesn't care how his actions affect others. I have to assume there's plenty more like him and that's why the restaurants want something put down when the reservation is made. If that requirement bothers you then shop around. There's always plenty of other places that don't require the deposit.
 
ameliaaria said:
It is becoming more common for restaurants to require a credit card when making a reservation, especially for popular or high-end establishments. This is because a significant number of diners fail to show up for their reservations, leaving the restaurant with empty tables and lost revenue. By requiring a credit card, the restaurant is able to reduce the number of no-shows and ensure that tables are filled. Some restaurants may charge a fee, such as $50, if a diner fails to show up or cancels the reservation with insufficient notice.
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Seems like if they need to ensure the tables are filled then you wouldn't need a reservation. At least not one you have to charge a reservation fee for.
 
There are a few restaurants in the D.C. area that require a CC to hold your table for the time you want. I’m OK with doing that. I’m assured of being seated on time and now that I have the table numbers, I can ask for my favorite table. I have 3 tables in the 3 restaurants that I usually take a lady to that I want to impress. The one restaurant even has a pastry chef and a wine steward (Sommelier). If you ever get to D.C. and want a great meal, try Marcel’s.
 
Reminds me of a few stores that want each customer to show someone at the exit door their receipt - to prove they didn't steal anything.
I only shop at such stores once. And I never show my receipt.
 
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Sadly, it's the aftermath of the Pandemic. They've lost revenue and food by loads. Now they make us pay. Sad but true...

I've given up on delivery takeaways whom expect me to pay by debit card. I call somewhere else until I find one who still takes cash.

In the end, they'll only hurt themselves as many haven't recovered from the losses to their paychecks and all during those nearly 3 long years...
 
No I won't go to a restaurant that wants my credit card up-front. I rarely need to make a reservation as I usually eat at 5 p.m. and most people dine after 6 p.m. or I eat a lunch time when it is not as busy (on a weekday).
 
Here in Nashville, you could see a cancellation charge on a dinner reservation on Valentine's Day.
Probably cut down on people making multiple reservations.

We enjoy eating out at nice restaurants and treat it as a special time out.

Sure, I can get all the calories I need at home, but sometimes you just need a break.
 
I went into one of my favorite restaurants here in Alexandria. I forgot when you walked inside, you would go through a metal detector. I had a date and when we walked into the restaurant, I set off the detector because I forgot to leave my gun in the car. The owner came over and asked to see me for a moment in the hallway where no one could see us. (I kind of know him from going there quite a few times.) He asked me to keep the gun and be seated. I was a bit confused until he opened his jacket and I saw he was also carrying. I went back to the hostess and she seated us.

My date asked me if I was going to take my gun back to the car and I told her no and that the owner was also carrying. She said she didn’t know why men feel they have to carry a gun everywhere they go. I asked her supposed some maniac would come in here and start shooting people. Wouldn’t you want to have a chance? I told her it’s just the way the world is today. My gun isn’t going to do us any good if it’s sitting in the car. She was ok with it after that. BTW, John Boehner was in the house that night. She was surprised seeing him there.
 

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