I was checking into a Courtyard last week and something was different. I was told to give them my gift card at checkout, which I usually don't do at this property because they always swipe it at check-in.

I actually prefer to do it this "new" way now (with gift card at checkout instead) since the gift card was used to cover my incidentals (meals) as well. When I use my gift card at check-in they don't cover it and charge it to my CC.

My question is, if I do this from now on and just give them my CC instead at check-in, will they give me problems if I checkout and tell them to charge it to my gift card? Do I have to tell them that I will be paying with a gift card at checkout?

Thanks.