When staying at a hotel (or motel) is it mandatory to pay with a credit card, or are debit cards accepted?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Debit cards are accepted HOWEVER, BE AWARE! When you check in to a hotel the computer automatically selects an amount of money that will be authorized on the card. If you pay for your room in advance that will usually just mean about $100-200 (depending on the length of your stay) for extra-charges (incidentals). If you haven't made any payment they will take an authorization for the room PLUS money for incidentals. The credit card will be charged at the END on the stay. On most credit cards this doesn't matter but with a debit card this will actually show as a pending transaction and will freeze up the entire amount they authorize and it will remain frozen up to 48 hours after your departure. If you don't have enough money in your account you may incurr overdraft fees and HUGE headaches. My recommendation......give them a credit card at check in and when you check out ask them to put the balance on your debit card.

Source(s):

I was the front desk manager and CONSTANTLY had problems with guests and their debit cards.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Thanks, man, that was a great answer. However, some hotels in the U.S. take cash.

Answer 2

In any reputable hotel/ motel any form of payment is usually accepted. in certain countries you must only pay with cash. so the best plan is to ask first. don't ever presume anything while traveling , especially when in a foreign country. you can even pay cash if you like.

Answer 3

If you are staying in North America you can generally pay at most hotels (that reputable) with debit. If you are making a reservation in advance they may require a credit card to reserve your room but they generally don't charge it till the end of your stay and you can always request at checkin that you are going to pay with another means.

If you are staying outside of North America it's a whole new ball game. It's whatever they decide.. and sometimes it's whatever the on duty manager at the time decides. Always check when you check in what their acceptable method is and if it is customary for that particular place to accept this method. AND ALWAYS always always always ask to see the room as well. North American standards are NOT the rest of the world's standards. If they won't show you the room before you book... don't stay there.

OH and FYI.. Canadian interac cards are different than American debit cards and may not work. Same goes with EFTPOS in Australia/NZ... American/Canadian debit cards may not work there either.

Answer 4

I found cheapest hotel reservation
try
http://www.clickotel.net