Credit Card Crunch

On a recent trip to San Francisco, I rented a car at $29.95 per day. I then went to Fisherman’s Wharf and checked into a hotel run by a major chain for a three-night stay. They reserved the room for me at $129 per night on my credit card.

After two days, I returned the rented car and signed the receipt saying that I would pay $87. Later that night after dinner, I attempted to pay with my credit card and found that my $1,000 Visa limit was maxed out. It turns out the hotel blocked out $540 on my credit card for the room, tax and incidentals, and the rental agency blocked out $300.

I was under the impression that when I returned the rented car, the agency would charge my Visa for the $87 and release the hold on the remaining money.

When I got back to the hotel, I called the car rental agency and they explained that it would take between three and five days to process the paperwork and release the unused money. The same thing happened when I checked out of the hotel. This put me in a financial bind.

Solution: Use two credit cards. When reserving your room or car, use one card, and when checking out or returning the car, use a second credit card.

MAURICE M. PARHAMS

Cypress