How ClearHold replaces the hold with one flat fee

ClearHold is simple. You pay one flat fee for your stay. The hotel accepts that fee instead of freezing money on your card at check-in. You can still charge things to your room; those charges go to the card you linked, after you use them.

What the fee costs

The fee depends on how big the hotel's usual hold is. Bigger holds mean the hotel is carrying more risk, so the fee is a little higher.

• Limited-Service hotels — the fee is $19.99.
• Full-Service hotels — the fee is $39.99.

Example 1: a two-night city stay

The hotel normally holds $75. You pay $19.99 instead. Nothing is frozen. You order breakfast twice and it goes on your room. At checkout, breakfast is charged to your linked card and that is the end of it.

Example 2: a resort with a big hold

The hotel normally holds $250 per stay. You pay $39.99. Your $250 stays available in your account for the whole trip — useful when you are also paying for flights, dinners, and taxis on the same card.

Example 3: paying ahead of time

Some guests add money to a prepaid balance before arriving. Room service and the pool bar come out of that balance first. If the balance runs out, the rest goes to the linked card. Either way, no hold.

What the fee is not

The fee is not a deposit and it does not come back at checkout. It is the price of not having your money tied up, the same way a checked bag fee is the price of not carrying your suitcase.