Most definitely use a charge card at check-in and never, ever a debit/gift card.
They will immediately deduct much more than the room charges per night and be slow to reimburse it back at checkout.
My colleague had a week long reward stay at a RI, presented a Debit card at check-in for "incidentals" and had $2000 taken out of his checking account at Christmas time. Checks went a bouncing and it took weeks to clean up.
Also, if something so screwy with the stay, you have some credit card protection if you can't get satisfaction locally. Keep it on the card for protesting later on.
Just my opinion.