If you’ve ever booked a rental property, you may have noticed that you’re required to provide a lot of personal information. This can include your full name, address, phone number, email address, credit card information, and even your passport or ID number in some cases. While it may seem like a hassle to provide all this information when booking vacation homes in Orlando, there are important reasons why Shine Villas and other rental properties ask for all the details.
Let’s take a look at the five main reasons why we ask for all the information for vacation home bookings.
Verify your identity: Verifying your identity is the first step in protecting the rental property and homeowners, or guests staying at the same resort or location. At Shine Villas, we ask for all your information to make sure a guest is not using a fake identity or stolen credit card. Remember that we ensure your security by verifying the identity of other guests too! Other booking channels, for example, Airbnb, ask guests to verify their ID when creating an account, while hotel receptionists take photocopies of your ID and credit card upon your arrival. Shine Villas offer a remote 24/7 check-in where you don’t need to wait in line to collect your keys and provide all the information necessary for your stay. Instead, we simplify the check-in process by letting you fill out the form in the comfort of your home.
Prevent fraudulent activity: Fraudulent activities are a serious concern for hotels and rental properties, and this also especially applies to vacation homes in Orlando, including the homeowners that have put their trust in our property management company. By asking for your credit card information, we can verify you have a valid payment method in your possession and that it belongs to you – this helps to prevent fraudulent charges. However, it’s also a way of protecting the genuine cardholders from being victims of potential fraud. Additionally, by asking for your address and phone number, vacation home rentals can easily reach out if there are issues with your reservation or emergencies.
Compliance with regulations: It might come as a surprise, but federal and local laws require property rentals to verify their guests’ identity. Therefore, whenever we collect your personal information, we simply comply with the law. In some cases, it might be necessary to collect ID numbers for international travelers or tax purposes.
Improve your experience: Asking for your personal information is also a way of providing excellent customer service. Knowing your name allows us to greet you by name in cases where we do meet you upon your arrival, which leads to a more personalized experience. We may also use your email address to send you special offers or promotions for future stays.
Customized services: Have you noticed that the Shine Villa reservation page has a special “comments” section? This allows us to collect your preferences and needs so that we can meet your specific requirements. For example, some guests may have special requests like mobility restrictions. By providing this information when making your booking, we can help to accommodate them better, which has a great impact on your overall experience.
While it may be a bit inconvenient to provide information when booking your vacation homes in Orlando, it is necessary for the safety and security of all parties, including yours. Being asked for this information is also a good sign for you – it assures you have booked with a professional management company that cares about you and the home you have booked! By providing accurate and complete information, you can help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience during your stay in one of our Orlando rental properties.
After all, remember that these homes belong to individual homeowners and are often worth more than $1 million and in some cases were furnished at the cost of $250 000+! Just as you would think twice about completing information for renting a $10,000 car, providing the necessary details for a vacation home rental becomes a reasonable request in comparison. By understanding the importance of the information requested, you can have peace of mind knowing that we prioritize your privacy, security, and overall satisfaction.
So, when you encounter the request for personal information during the booking process, please understand that it is in everyone’s best interest to ensure a safe and enjoyable stay. We appreciate your cooperation in providing the necessary details and entrusting Shine Villas with your vacation rental experience. Rest assured that your privacy, safety and security are our top priorities, and we strive to provide you with exceptional service and a memorable vacation experience.
