Were hotel entitled to take money from credit card?

[my2leftfeet]

Stayed in a hotel on Sat night. Arrived at reception on Sunday morning to pay bill. Credit card number had been given in advance to secure the room. We advised reception that we wished to pay by a different card. They advised that it had already been processed. Were they entitled to do this? We hadnt approved the amount [it was fine] - but they had put it through at 9.15am without authorisation. Receptionist was quite rude and no apology was offered. Am I incorrect to assume that a) card number is given to secure room only - so the hotel are covered in the event of no-show b) we should have approved the amount they took from the card.

 

[Sunny]

Usually the card is just swiped at check in to cover incidentals but nothing is charged and then a proper payment is made upon check out once you are happy with the bill. Hasn't happened to me unless I have done express checkout in hotels but even then I give authorisation for the card to be debited.

Of course, some bookings require upfront payment.