How long ago was it that good hotels could be compared with the traditional Gentleman's Club? An exclusive and discreet home away from home.
Times they are a changing...
How long ago was it that good hotels could be compared with the traditional Gentleman's Club? An exclusive and discreet home away from home.
Times they are a changing as Dan Gillmor commented recently in his post entitled A Hotel's Privacy Invasion.
In his case, he had no choice but to accept invasion of his personal privacy by the staff of the Ramada New Yorker Hotel. He arrived very late and wanting to sleep, he could hardly refuse the hotel staff making photocopies of his credit card and driver's license. If Dan Gillmor were not a US citizen, then he would probably have had to present his passport too.
A similar invasion of privacy occurs frequently in Spain in hotels and shops alike. Spanish merchants are not the only violators however, as this occurs in other countries too. Whether demanding further identification documents violates the credit card companies agreements if often irrelevant. The management of the company accepting your card often dictates these special rules. If you want the product or service they offer, then you have to comply with their rules.
I will be reporting on the violation of Credit Card Company agreements in the future.
