Originally Posted by
Westcoaster
That should work at most properties. I've run into a few hotels that say they are allowed to require the physical card due to fraud issues. After the first time a hotel in Las Vegas required both ID and the physical card I called Hilton to verify that this was on the up and up. It was. To be safe you can call the hotel to see what they require.
I'm only in dozens of total stays so not that many overall, I have had plenty ask and then be OK when I declined and asked to use the card on file. They will ask to try to get the lower card-present fees from the credit card company. But one of the problems is that "double-charges" are much more likely if you provide a card again and they do things incorrectly. Had that happen the first time I just gave them it at check in when asked without asking to use the card on file instead.
So, if you don't have an additional credit card with you, they'll cancel the stay and charge the cancellation fee to the same card that they just told you they were unable to charge without a physical card due to fraud issues? Sounds a little absurd that way. Of course I'd just provide the card if they insist, not ask that question.