might want to read the fine print of a hotel before doing this. Most hotels I go to have 24 hour cancelation policies. Anything other than that they charge you. However I was booked at Sophie in Fairbanks once and changed trip plans but forgot to cancel the hotel. Any how I got charged but called them and asked for a refund and it was honored...a lucky instance. A car on the other hand might as well reserve one just in case. You can cancel at the last minute and dont need a card to hold it