while I empathize w/ the OP this is not the right forum
 

as it has to do w/ HILTON points.

Based on the topic (canvassing hotels for a missing person) I am going to move it to TravelBuzz where many more posters will see it and savvy travelers may know more about general hotel info on the topic.

Thanks for your cooperation and good luck.

Squeakr
MOD Hilton

Even the big brands (including the luxury end) take cash as payment for the stay upfront (or per day) and cash as a security deposit equal to the amount they would pre-authorize on a credit card. That has not changed as far as I know. [I am referring to hotels as varied as the Four Seasons, Ritz-Carltons, Marriotts, Fairmonts, Swissotels, Hiltons, etc.] In certain countries refusing payment by cash (read: legal tender) is illegal.

I suspect this is in the U.S., but on the chance it's not and he's in a country that requires a passport at check-in to register with the police, he can be found that way.

And yes, it's quite possible to check into hotels without credit cards. In addition to taking a cash deposit up front, they can turn off the phones and not allow any room charge (room service, etc.) to that room.

Good luck.

Definitely contact the police, as mentioned many times above.

I would also email as many hotels as possible with an attached photo of the missing person. Can do a group email.

Call your child's closest known friend(s). They often enough have a better idea than parents about where their buddy may have discussed going to.

Not only can you check in with cash only, you can do it at any age. Our local Marriott Suites allowed a friend's 15 year old daughter who had run away to check in cash only. Police said there was nothing they could do to stop the hotel from accepting underage clients. I was flabbergasted.

They do not.

any luck finding your friend?