Inappropriate hotel charge?

[hfcougar.livejournal.com]

I've seen one post about a hotel charge problem - is anyone else having difficulties still?

I was charged for a room reserved on someone else's card, by someone else, which my name was listed as a second on. The person holding the room on their card didn't show, and had forgotten to cancel the reservation.

I had handed the hotel desk clerk my card because I was checking into the room I was actually staying in - that room was also on someone else's card, and they had already checked in, so it turned out it wasn't necessary to present my card.

I told the clerk explicitly and in no uncertain terms that the room on the other person's card was to remain on their card, as it was their responsibility, their reservation, and I was not staying in the room nor checking into the room. I never signed anything (for either room) nor authorized the charge, and received no receipt from the hotel at any time.

Am I hopelessly naive about how hotels work, or is this completely inappropriate? The room was not reserved on my card, so I don't see where I should have been the one charged for the uncanceled reservation. (Had it gone on the card of the person who did make the reservation, that I would not have an argument with.)

I have not been able to call the Hyatt yet because I just found the charge on my account about 15 minutes ago, and I don't expect to get anywhere outside of business hours. I will update with whatever explanation or resolution they give for this. The person who made the reservation is willing to work with me on this and take responsibility (and the charge) - it's the principle of the hotel's actions that is bothering me.