It's mostly a Boo king problem. We don't have a similar experience with Expecia because they validate cards in their system. Boo king does not.
"They also said they have this problem alot in South Africa and Brazil, but they rarley see it happening in the US."
With all due respect to boo king, that's bullshiat and they know it.
Do as suggested. We don't take deposits, but we process 100 PERCENT CHARGE of boo king reservations the minute they come in. As mentioned above, when they don't go through (more than half of ours don't) then go on their site and begin process to cancel. You have to wait one day why they give the "customer" the chance to submit a new card. They never do. Then go back the next day to cancel it outright in their system. Don't wait and block the room a minute longer than you have to, because they aint coming.
It's a hassle. And you can complain to them if you want. But you're wasting your valuable time. They don't care. And don't fill out their customer service surveys they email every other day. If they gave a crap, they'd have already fixed this.
Occasionally, a book king customer will call you to complain that you ran 100% of their charge well in advance of their stay. Use it as an opportunity to explain that you only do it with boo king customers, explain why, and then explain that if they cancel their boo king reservation and rebook directly, you won't have to do it, and they'll get a better rate. In other words, Use Boo king's evilstupid to your advantage.
We had one lady book a week long Christmas stay 10 months in advance. When she called to ask why she'd been charged $1,800 so far ahead, I explained. She cancelled, and rebooked with us direct. Booking lost $270 in commissions because they're morons. Use Boo king's evilstupid to your advantage..