Well, there is always a risk. So be prepared - either have enough points or $ in case the hotel challenges you.

I use Mr.'s once in a while - mostly when I'm taking the kids to US alone. What I do is that I always put his cert on the first night, then either use my cert on the second night/paid night. This way it's more "normal" to add my name as the second guest because I'm going to be there on the second night.

They never question his whereabouts when I check in, and it's in NoVA.

In Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand they need a copy of our passports, so there is a chance that they might want the cert holder to be presence.