Are you required to use a credit card when going to a hotel?

Question

I am not talking about reserving a room. I am talking about going in, getting a room and paying for it... can cash be used?

Answer 1

Depends on the hotel. you will have better luck with a smaller establishment - not a chain like Best Western. You will need to show identification and make a fairly large cash deposit - last time I did this, it was $300 cash plus the cost of the room for one night, and I got back my $300 when they made sure I hadn't damaged the room. These days, though, most hotels want a credit card so they can make sure they won't get shafted if you do damage the room.

You can get a "secured" credit card from Money Mart or other cheque cashing places - give THEM your $300 (or whatever), and then they give you a VISA that you can use for up to that amount. It's easier and - sometimes - less complicated and/or embarassing.

Have fun at your hotel!

Cheers,

Samlet

Answer 2

This is a complex question. I'm a businessman who uses a credit card to reserve a room. However, I prefer to pay cash when I am checking in. The hotel chains have become obnoxious about requiring that you have a credit card to check in. This seems to be the Bush Immigrant Defense Policy.

I recently had a reservation at a major hotel in New York City (January 27-30, 2007). The 3-nite stay had been prepaid a month earlier, which was confirmed at check in. Their position was they require a major credit card to cover meals and anything from the minibar. I find this ridiculous, but I cannot remember the last time I checked into a U.S. hotel where they didn't demand a credit card from me. Some demand a photo ID too, although this is not required by any U.S. law that I know of.

I can also sympathize with "klspks" above. Marriott may be the worst offender and I will not stay at a Marriott hotel today. I was in SLC in 2004 for one night. My reservation was prepaid by a large public corporation (my client). They required a credit card to check in, which I gave them. I went to my room, then down to their restaurant (at 10 pm). I paid cash for the dinner. I went up to bed, but my plastic room key would not open the door. I went down to the front desk, where they claimed my credit card had been declined (when???). They had blocked the door to my "prepaid room." I explained I had flown there from New York City and the account might be blocked by the last hotel. Finally, they took a $50 cash deposit. Again, I won't stay at a Marriott Hotel ever again b/c of this behavior.

In 2002, I refused to offer a credit card at check-in in Washington, DC. It was a $400 boutique hotel, a prepaid one-nite stay and I was checking out at 5am. They demanded a cash deposit of 2-times the one night cost. The problem with giving a hotel a credit card is they place a large hold on your credit limit. That "hold" often is not "released" for five business days. When I checked out at 5am, guess what? They couldn't find the $800 cash to return my deposit. It took almost half an hour to find the cash.

Answer 3

Yes you can always pay by cash.

The way it works is this. If you pay cash on arrival at a hotel you will not be able to use the phone, charge anything to your room etc. That's it you pay for a room and you get a room, the extras are not available.

When you give a credit card authorisation the hotel can charge you for all services even in your absence.

Answer 4

Most major hotel chains require a credit card to hold the room and also to charge your card if there is any damage to the room after you leave. However, you may pay by cash when you arrive. What I do is use my credit card to book the room and advise them when I'm booking it that I'll be paying cash when I arrive. They will note that on the account.

Answer 5

You can pay the advance by cash at the time of check-in in a hotel. Also settle the final payment by cash on check-out.

The only thing is you can not make on-line reservation without a credit card.

Cheers.

Answer 6

Yes, Cash can be used. I do it all the time. I have the credt card to reserve the room but I prefer to pay in cash at the end of my stay.

Answer 7

You can pay for the room with cash.

Answer 8

it depends on the hotel. i just went to a marriott this past weekend and didn't have a credit card, and they would not let me put down a cash deposit (for incidentals). they insisted on a credit card and said it was marriott policy. you should definitely check with the hotel before going there...i drove 3 hours and had to turn around and go home. very frustrating. just call first.

Answer 9

You can pay in cash, but they will require some type of photo ID.

Answer 10

you've got a credit card to order a motel room. you will pay funds for the room and not truthfully positioned it on the credit card. you additionally can basically provide up at a motel for the nighttime and pay earnings enhance.