hotels that requires credit cards for incidentals and won't take anything else
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 7
hotels that require credit cards for incidentals and won't take anything else
Recently booked a room at the Coast Gateway in SEA through Priceline, good price, paid with my debit card; I was satisifed. Noticed the fine print in the email verification that said a major credit card would be required at check in.
Contacted the hotel, and they verified that cash wouldn't be accepted, nor would a debit card. Their exact reply:
"At this time the Coast Gateway Hotel in Seattle does require a credit card and valid photo identification at check in, they do not accept any substitutions. The temporary hold to the credit card will be $20.00USD for any incidentals."
I dumped credit cards more than a decade ago, around when debit cards came on the scene. I've always been able to use either cash or a secondary debit card for reservations.
Do you think they really would've turned me away over a $20 hold? Maybe the rep I got is wrong? Just to be safe I've already applied and been approved for a credit card, so it's academic now, but it's still a frustrating experience.
Contacted the hotel, and they verified that cash wouldn't be accepted, nor would a debit card. Their exact reply:
"At this time the Coast Gateway Hotel in Seattle does require a credit card and valid photo identification at check in, they do not accept any substitutions. The temporary hold to the credit card will be $20.00USD for any incidentals."
I dumped credit cards more than a decade ago, around when debit cards came on the scene. I've always been able to use either cash or a secondary debit card for reservations.
Do you think they really would've turned me away over a $20 hold? Maybe the rep I got is wrong? Just to be safe I've already applied and been approved for a credit card, so it's academic now, but it's still a frustrating experience.
Last edited by ryanmm; Dec 20, 2010 at 9:29 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75, SPG Plat, HH peon-by-choice (ex Gold)
Posts: 8,090
This is SOP for probably 95% of the hotels these days. And yes, I've seen hotels turn away business because the client was going to only pay in cash.
As for the hold, no personal experience on that one.
As for the hold, no personal experience on that one.
#4
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,630
I tend to find the opposite. I find more and more hotels demanding cash deposits instead of credit cards for incidentals (even though the room is being paid with credit card). Some demand deposits as high as $1000 per night in cash, even on rooms priced at a fraction of that cost.
Of course, most of my travel is in West Africa where the volume of credit card chargebacks can touch 90% at times, so undoubtedly that may play a part in their thinking.
Of course, most of my travel is in West Africa where the volume of credit card chargebacks can touch 90% at times, so undoubtedly that may play a part in their thinking.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 367
I hate deposits for a pre-paid hotel room, either cash or CC. For me, excessive deposits are a reason not no stay there. Fortunately there are still hotels out there without any hold needed. Maybe a thread to collect names on those hotels? Just in the last months for me: Hampshite Beethoven in Amsterdam and Monterey hotel in Tokyo.
#6
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS-GoldMVP,Hilton, Hyatt, Hertz
Posts: 907
I stood behind 6 people checking in at the LAX Marriott, they ALL had debit cards and they were all refused. They wanted credit cards only although they would take greenbacks, but not a debit card. Three of them pulled out credit cards and the other three I happened to be traveling with so we just used my card and then they cashed out on check out.
It is becoming more and more the norm to demand a credit card and I am seeing it at check in a lot more.
It is becoming more and more the norm to demand a credit card and I am seeing it at check in a lot more.
#7
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
You can get a prepaid card if you need it for deposits and things like that.
It is, for whatever reason, becoming more and more common in hotels to only want to put the hold (and the ability to charge more should you go over the $20) on a credit card.
It is, for whatever reason, becoming more and more common in hotels to only want to put the hold (and the ability to charge more should you go over the $20) on a credit card.
#8
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2
I hate deposits for a pre-paid hotel room, either cash or CC. For me, excessive deposits are a reason not no stay there. Fortunately there are still hotels out there without any hold needed. Maybe a thread to collect names on those hotels? Just in the last months for me: Hampshite Beethoven in Amsterdam and Monterey hotel in Tokyo.
Only one I had any trouble with was the Carsana trying to charge me for mini bar usage that I did not use.
#9
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: WAS
Posts: 287
#10
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Let me check my Logbook
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards; AAdvantage; Alaska Mileage Plan; Wyndham Rewards; Choice Hotels
Posts: 2,347
I suggest you stay at Motel 6. They take cash and do not require any kind of plastic or deposit. Also local calls are free and usually check out is at noon.
There have been a few times places here in the USA would not accept people who don't have credit card. So I've just stayed somewhere else. However in Canada places of lodging seem to be more prone to require at least a credit card number though I've never see any refuse cash.
There have been a few times places here in the USA would not accept people who don't have credit card. So I've just stayed somewhere else. However in Canada places of lodging seem to be more prone to require at least a credit card number though I've never see any refuse cash.
#11
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
I know the Fair Credit Billing Act covers credit card disputes. Is there a comparable law that covers debit card disputes and gives you the same rights? Ever had to dispute one of your transactions?
#14
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SJC
Programs: NZ*G, QF NB, UA 1K, AA ExecPlat, IHG PlatAmb, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, ZE1 PC
Posts: 2,636
I wonder how hotels identify and refuse debit cards? My debit cards look like any other Visa and Mastercard with no particularly identifying artefacts.
#15
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
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Posts: 7,953
The ones issued in the US often (always?) say "DEBIT" on the face of them somewhere. Also, there's probably something on the mag stripe that indicates its a debit card, if for no other reason than to indicate that it's also valid for PIN-based POS purchases.