CREDIT CARD

Credit card is a small plastic card that holds a certain monetary value. It authorizes the owner to charge goods or services to his/ her account. It is issued by bank to its customers. It is used to purchase goods, accommodation, or to pay for services. In hotels and other service establishments, large bills are often settled by credit cards. It usually allows higher limits than personal cheques.

Most hotels accepts major credit cards for deposit and payment. The front desk representative should know the credit cards that the hotel accepts, as well as the procedures for accepting and authorizing their use. Visa card, Master card, American express etc. are the most widely honored and accepted credit cards. Others such as Diner's Club, City bank card, Euro card etc may be honored by many but not by all properties.

PROCEDURES WHILE ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS:

1. With the use of credit card imprinter machine(manual/ electronic), imprint/ swipe the credit card and obtain the details in the credit card charge slip.
2. Enter the date and the amount that is to be charged, but without totaling the amount.
3. present the charge slip to the guest and obtain the signature in the specified area.
4. tally the signature on the charge slip against the credit card and total the amount now.
5. Give the customer's copy of the charge slip to the guest along with the credit card.
6. retain the other two copies of the charge slip and send the appropriate copy to the accounts along with the cashier's summary report.
7. Determine the answers to the following questions before accepting any credit card:

• Is the card acceptable by the hotel?
• Is the card valid?
• Are the card holder and the card owner the same person?
• Is the available credit sufficient to cover the charges?