I have no problem with deposits or cancellation fees/policies. I just object to having to front them that much money 10 months in advance. A 3 to 7 day cancellation policy where you forfeit 1 night's rental rate is fine. But when I made the initial reservation, they never mentioned this. It just showed up on my AMEX bill. Not knowing what it was, I had AMEX remove. AMEX then reinstated it when the hotel said it was an agreed upon deposit.

I also do not mind providing a credit card number to guarantee arrival and subsequent stay. They can have any cancellation policy they want as long as they tell me during the same conversation where I am making a reservation.

Never mind trying to explain to your wife what this charge at a California hotel is. For some reason, "I don't know." does not fly very well. :)