A hotel security deposit is usually a temporary hold placed on your credit or debit card to cover possible room damage, smoking fees, minibar charges, or other incidental expenses. It often shows up like a charge, even when it is technically just an authorization. That can make it feel like the hotel already took your money and decided to keep it. When weeks pass without the hold disappearing, it is fair to wonder how long a hotel is actually allowed to hang onto it.

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