I booked a room on Booking for a month from now, and they're asking me to pay the full amount right now, even though they used to just take a deposit. Is this some new trend after covid or did I miss something?
Check the refund terms if you cancel - sometimes full prepayment comes with free cancellation right up until arrival, so there's basically no difference. But if they charge you for cancellations, then yeah, that's a different story and you should look for a hotel with more reasonable terms.
Full prepayment isn't a mandatory trend, but it's definitely a widespread practice. Hotels have indeed started requiring it more often because it protects them from cancellations and no-shows. This especially applies to popular destinations and peak seasons, when rooms sell out quickly. But it still remains a specific hotel's policy rather than a universal standard.
Check exactly what's stated during booking: on Booking there should be clear information about payment terms. Sometimes when you choose a certain rate (usually a cheaper one) they require 100% upfront payment, while other room options allow you to pay a deposit instead. If you don't like the conditions, you can always look for alternatives - plenty of hotels stick to more flexible schemes.
Also pay attention to the cancellation policy. With full prepayment, they often limit your ability to get a refund without penalties or set very strict cancellation deadlines. Before you pay, read carefully until what date you can cancel the booking without losing money. If it's a five-star hotel with a good reputation, the risk is lower, but it's still worth playing it safe.
Check the cancellation terms in your booking details - sometimes full prepayment comes with free cancellation up until the day of arrival, and then it's just a different payment method, not a scam. But if cancellation is paid or impossible, then yeah, that's a risk on your end, and you should either look for another option or be really sure about your plans. I had a situation where I booked an apartment a month in advance with "100% prepayment, free cancellation within 3 days" - I almost backed out of the trip, and the only thing that saved me was that the cancellation deadline hadn't passed yet.
As for the trend - yeah, hotels really are asking for it more often, but not all of them and not always. If it's a big amount and the terms aren't clear, you can always write to the hotel directly and ask for a deposit instead of full payment. Sometimes they'll work with you on it.
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