Credit Card required to make reservation - What would you do

I'd give them a bogus number.

[Robin Garr]

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go withdraw all my money from the bank and sew it into our mattresses.

I'd give them a bogus number.

Classy.

That seems pretty bogus.

If the establishment is using Open Door system the info is put into the computer and can only be accessed by a manager with the access code and password.
Everyone should be vigilant about their CC numbers, but giving a bogus number is really classless. Local restaurants rely on these big holidays to keep in the black and the public would be schocked to know how many no shows there are if CC's are not taken- up to 25% of a seating. Those are seats that could be filled with diners who really want to be fed.
I am sure no one on this forum would fail to show for a reservation- but the owners must have some way to insure that butts are in the seats.

The most common place for credit card information to be stolen is at a restaurant, according to Visa.
The credit card company, which constantly monitors cardholder transactions and data for fraud, has determined that 40 percent of all credit card theft occurs at dining locations -- more than at any other type of merchant."

Oh bullshitt. Do you really think that's what your neighborhood server does in their downtime?
Quote whomever you want, that is malarky. Visa may be quoting from the average, but i don't believe for a sec that your card # are in danger here. That's some insulting demos in my own humble worked all over pinche town opinion. I find it damaging and unfounded that you would dare to state this in your hometown. Don't tell me you are spewing quotes. It's still insulting.

i had to read that twice............."worked all over pinche town opinion".........

what a wonderful, beautiful, correct use of the word........... pinche . i feel warm all over.

Why is this even necessary, at holiday times the demand is high and seats are limited, if the reservation gets canceled there are plenty of people waiting to fill the empty tables. This just alienates the customers, not a good sales ploy.

It is common in upscale restaurants, especially in larger cities, to ask for a CC# during the reservation process. I had it happen in a small but hip Thai place in NYC, sure they had clamoring folks to fill any no-shows, but a no-show causes a breakdown in the organization of these establishments, the seating charts alone are a dance...

IMO, it is not that big a deal, as long as I understand the charge policy, which should be part of my own personal procedure of giving my CC# to anybody.

I have only had the opportunity to work in the back of house of the English Grill, but I assure you, like everything else in the Brown, they have a secure system. No hotel of that caliber would have information lying around in the front. Anyone who has met Neil (sp?) who is the Dining Room Manager I believe (I know I am getting the title wrong! ) knows the attention to detail and "appropriate" measures that he would ensure be taken in this case.

Basically, inform thyself of the policy of the restaurant. If you feel the explanation given to you by the person who answered the phone was inadequate, perhaps that person didn't explain it in the clearest way; ask again. In the meantime, it is the law to keep this information secure, so I am sure most establishments who handle CC handle them properly.

In my past life, I was a Loss Prevention Auditor for a national retail clothing chain. Some of the same numbers Visa/MC/Amex gave us to use in training retail store management are very similar to what AnnMarie found as relating to restaurants so...... perhaps the numbers are skewed to the point the source(s) was trying to make?.? I myself don't feel threatened or on guard when I enter an establishment these days, though perhaps it is due to the common situation of not having that much to be cleaned out in the first place. Ahh, the freedom of penury!

*raises hand*

My turn! My turn!

It's easier to get a CC/application from your mailbox and ruin someone's credit than from the restaurant.

Why is this even necessary, at holiday times the demand is high and seats are limited, if the reservation gets canceled there are plenty of people waiting to fill the empty tables. This just alienates the customers, not a good sales ploy.

Not necessarily. If you've been telling callers that you're full but then a bunch of reservations don't show up you're SOL.

Since numerous guests will make reservations at multiple places to make sure they can get in wherever they want on a high volume day (this happens a LOT on derby, valentines day etc) but then don't cancel when they decide, or just make a reso and don't cancel, I think its totally reasonable to secure a reservation on an important day.

What about pre-pay for a set meal?

What about pre-pay for a set meal?

Along the same lines, charge the $30 or whatever no-show fee at time of reservation, then you dont have to keep card info around. Then deduct it from the actual bill as prepaid.

I had to do this recently with a Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris. Seemed a reasonable thing to ask (except for the amount, which I won't share here, but it would have been a house payment for my first house).

What about pre-pay for a set meal?

Along the same lines, charge the $30 or whatever no-show fee at time of reservation, then you dont have to keep card info around. Then deduct it from the actual bill as prepaid.

Sounds like the most useful suggestion I've heard. I guess that's why we pay ya the big bucks Rob.

Almost never have to do this at White Castle