Payments by Credit/Debit card

[Pam_Ash]

We have only just got going with a self catering holiday property and will be using a virtual terminal for credit/debit card users. My question is once the deposit has been paid are we legally entitled to retain the card details and take the balance of the money 6 weeks before the guests arrive, or do we contact the guests and ask for the card details again?

[Der Alte Fritz]

Hi Pam_Ash
This just one of those questions you do not ask!

It depends how you obtained those card details in the first place, if you did over the phone then great, write them in a book or diary and keep it under lock and key and you can quite safely charge the card AFTER HAVING TOLD THE CUSTOMER YOU ARE GOING TO DO SO PREFERABLY IN WRITING at the time of booking and original charge.

Collect those same card details via email or through your computer or website and store the information on your computer then you may be covered by the PCCI regulations and then life has just become a lot more complex. In which case, you would need to contact the guest again and ask for the card details and permission to charge the card again.

Your aim should always be to protect your status as a merchant (once lost through a complaint or poor administration, hard to recover)so always play it safe.

[Pam_Ash]

Sorry, I have only just picked up your reply but thanks very much for your help