I am on a road trip in the USA and am staying at Hampton Inns. I book online through the Hilton Honors app, and use my Hilton Honors credit card, which is in my profile, to book.

I forgot to bring the credit card with me, but at the Hampton Inn in Florence, SC, I was told no problem. I have plenty of ID and offered another credit card for possible miscellaneous charges. They said it wasn’t needed.

Tonight I checked in at a Hampton Inn in Bridgewater, NJ and was told I must have my card present at check-in. I explained that I booked online through the HH app, and HH used the credit card on file to confirm my no cancellation reservation. I offered another credit card for miscellaneous charges. They insisted on charging the whole amount, plus a $25 deposit against miscellaneous charges on my non-HH card. I explained that I would miss out on points from using the HH card. They Insisted it was hotel policy.

It occurred to me later that I could have checked in online and used a digital key, and this issue would not have come up.

Does anyone know what Hilton Honors’ policy is on having a credit card present?