Originally Posted by
writerguyfl
Complete Speculation: As someone who used to work in hotels, I'd bet this hotel got burned by a guest who ran up a massive bill and used a stolen credit card number on a reservation. Since that happened, they now insist on swiping/tapping the actual card because it's tougher to create a physical card when compared to just stealing the number, expiration, and card verification value (CVV).
The way I see it, having a physical card to tap/swipe allows the front desk to confirm that there is a card that can be charged at the time of check in. That way if you do ask them to run the card that was used to hold the reservation at check out, the property has the fallback option of the card that was presented in person. If nothing else, they get whatever amount of money that was put on hold for the physically presented card.
If one wants their points, bring the card you want to charge the folio to, or be prepared to make your case at check out or over the phone. But personally, I've have not had any issues at checkout or when calling the property after I've left already for the handful of times I've done it.