Originally Posted by
EuropeanPete
It should be noted this will work in the US and some other countries, but some others you will need to lay with your credit card physically present at the front desk on departure, so please do be conscious of international differences.
That is true. Generally in Japan I've paid on departure, but not always so I don't think it's a legal requirement there. If I was in that situation I might try to say I'm leaving at very early hours and would like to settle up early to avoid delays later. If it's an actual legal thing not much you can do there.