I tend to stay in smaller places and bed and breakfasts, usually run by a local, and while I arrange in advance by email, I do it directly. Typically, you can get a lower price that way because the online booking services take a chunk out of the rate, so the owner is happy and saving money when you do it directly.

Savings can also be obtained by paying in cash, and for the same reason.

Thus, there is the security of a reservation in advance, without necessarily putting it on a card (though sometimes places will take the card number as a guarantee against no-showing).