Do You Have to Put Money Down for a Hotel Block?

The short answer is: It depends entirely on the type of room block you choose.

Securing a group of rooms for your wedding, corporate retreat or other event is a smart move, but it doesn’t automatically mean you’ll have to put money down for a hotel block. Hotels offer two primary room block structures: a Courtesy Block (risk-free) and a Guaranteed Block (contractual commitment). Your financial responsibility is fundamentally different for each. Understanding these options is the most important step to booking smart and avoiding hidden fees.

The Risk-Free Option: Courtesy Blocks Require No Deposit

A Courtesy Block is the most popular, flexible and risk-free option, and it requires no deposit or financial commitment from you.

Under this structure, the hotel agrees to hold a set number of rooms at a discounted group rate until a specific cut-off date (typically 3–6 weeks before check-in). The rooms are held using a unique link or group code, but you, the event organizer, do not sign a contract for them. If your guests don’t book all the rooms by the deadline, the unreserved rooms are simply released back into the hotel’s general inventory, with no penalty or fee charged to you. This is the best choice if you don’t want to put money down or sign a binding contract, making it ideal for most weddings and social events.

The Contractual Option: Guaranteed Blocks May Require a Hotel Block Deposit

A Guaranteed Block, sometimes called a Contracted Block, does require a financial commitment, and usually, an upfront payment or credit card to secure the space.

With this type, you sign a binding agreement that guarantees a minimum percentage of the rooms will be booked (this is known as the attrition clause). If your guests fail to meet that minimum commitment, you are responsible for paying for the unused rooms. Therefore, the hotel often requires an initial hotel block deposit or a signed contract to cover potential losses. Because of the risk involved, we only recommend this option for large corporate events or conferences where attendance is certain, or when the hotel is the only one in the area.

We Negotiate Courtesy Blocks for Peace of Mind

Whether or not you put money down for a hotel block is a choice between a flexible, no-commitment Courtesy Block and a committed Guaranteed Block.

At Where Will They Stay, we specialize in negotiating both types of hotel room blocks to keep your event simple and your wallet safe. We handle the contract details and negotiate the best rates so you can focus on the fun!