Originally Posted by
slidergirl
If you are paying for the rooms in your absence, absolutely contact the hotel to be sure they understand that they should not collect a new credit card. The hotel should insert a comment which pops up at check-in that says do not collect new credit card. Some hotels require a physical swipe unless otherwise stated. You may be asked to fill out a CC authorization form to allow them to bypass that swipe.
What does OP want to do about incidental expenses? Pay for anything and everything the guests charge to the room? That could be risky with some guests.