You can book a hotel room without a credit card by using a debit card in most cases. Many hotel chains will also accept prepaid cards, though they are more likely to do so at check-in or check-out than at the time of booking.
Typically, you cannot make a hotel reservation with cash, a personal check or a money order. These payment options are usually reserved for paying your final bill, as hotels generally require a payment card to secure your reservation and will often require a deposit on that card.
Payment Methods Accepted by Most Hotel Chains
Payment Method | Accepted for Reservations? | Accepted at Check-in? | Accepted at Check-Out? |
Cash | No | Yes | Yes |
Debit Card | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Prepaid Card | No | Yes | Yes |
Credit Card | Yes | Yes | Yes |
For more information about your payment options when booking a hotel room, including a detailed look at the policies of 10 of the largest hotel chains in the U.S., continue reading below.
Payment Options at Booking, by Hotel Chain
HOTEL CHAIN | Accepts Credit Cards? | Accepts Debit Cards? | Accepts Prepaid Cards? | Accepts Cash? | Accepts Personal Checks? | Accepts Money Orders? | Hotel Links |
YES | YES | NO | NO | NO | NO | Best Western | |
YES | YES | NO | NO | NO | NO | Hampton By Hilton | |
YES | YES | Depends on Location | NO | NO | NO | Holiday Inn Express | |
|
YES | YES | Depends on Location | NO | NO | NO | Super 8 By WYNDHAM |
YES | YES | NO | NO | NO | NO | Days Inn By WYNDHAM | |
YES | YES | Depends on Location | NO | NO | NO | Comfort INN | |
YES | YES | Depends on Location | NO | NO | NO | Quality INN | |
YES | YES | YES | NO | NO | NO | Courtyard By Marriott | |
YES | YES | Depends on Location | NO | NO | NO | Holiday Inn | |
YES | YES | YES | NO | NO | NO | Marriott |
Note: The information in this table was sourced from hotel websites and customer service representatives. Offers information was collected as of the date of posting and is likely to have changed since.
Why Hotels Want You to Book With a Credit Card
Hotels make it easy to book a hotel room with a credit card because a credit card makes it easy for a hotel to reserve money for a security deposit. This deposit, applied as a hold on your payment account, is typically for hundreds of dollars more than the daily price of your room. Most often, the hold will include the total cost of the room for however many nights you plan to stay, plus taxes and “incidental fees,” which cover room service, the minibar, on-demand movies and any damage to the hotel room.
Debit cards allow for an easy hold, too, assuming there’s enough money in the underlying account. Payment methods such as cash, however, can’t be used the same way.
Tips for Booking a Hotel Without a Credit Card
Ask for a Courtesy Hold
Some hotels will allow you to book a room without any type of payment card. You would instead request a “courtesy hold,” which waives the requirement to pay a deposit at the time of booking despite the hotel keeping the room available for you until the day of your arrival. Certain hotels might even automatically apply a courtesy hold to your reservation. This is especially beneficial considering that many hotels have far more liberal payment policies for on-premises transactions than they do for those processed at the time of booking. Courtesy holds are getting rarer, though, and many hotels will not allow you to make a booking without immediately providing a card.
Consider Small, Non-Chain Hotels
While major hotels are likely to accept a debit card or prepaid card in place of a credit card, they are unlikely to accept cash, a personal check or a money order at the time of booking. You might have better luck booking with those payment methods at small, independent hotels, though. Also, keep in mind that at most major hotels, even if you book with a card, you usually don’t have to make the final payment with a card.
Always Call Ahead
The best way to avoid surprises when traveling is to contact the hotel where you plan to stay. Ask about their payment policies — including the types of payment methods they accept — as well as their cancellation and refund policies. The more you know in advance, the smoother your trip is likely to be.
Book & Pay with the Same Card
If you use a different payment method to settle your final bill from the one you used to reserve your room, the hold can remain on your card for up to 31 days. Try to book and pay with the same card to ensure the hold is released within 24 to 72 hours.
Book with PayPal
If you don’t have a credit card, for whatever reason, you can use your PayPal account with certain booking sites to reserve a hotel room. Some of these sites include Expedia.com, Hotwire.com, and Hotels.com. In these situations, make sure to check with your hotel of choice to see what form of payment it may require at the time of check-in for incidentals.
Learn the Benefits of Using Credit
A credit card should still be your preferred method of payment for hotel bookings. This is due to the differing impact of the hold on credit cards and debit-based payment vehicles. You only need to worry about the hold placed on your credit card if you’re near your credit limit. However, a hold on your debit card freezes the actual funds in your checking account, reducing the amount of cash you can use until you’ve paid your bill or your bank has released the hold. In addition, credit cards have better fraud protection than debit cards do.
Detailed Hotel Payment Policies
- Best Western Payment Methods
- Hampton by Hilton Payment Methods
- Holiday Inn Express Payment Methods
- Super 8 Payment Methods
- Days Inn Payment Methods
- Comfort Inn Payment Methods
- Quality Inn Payment Methods
- Courtyard by Marriott Payment Methods
- Holiday Inn Payment Methods
- Marriott Payment Methods
Best Western Payment Methods
Payment Method | Credit Card | Debit Card | Prepaid Card | Cash | Personal Check | Money Order |
Accepted at Booking? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | NO | NO | NO |
Accepted at Check-In? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | NO | NO |
Accepted at Checkout? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | NO | NO |
Hold/Security Deposit | Policy varies by location (typically does not charge deposit) | Policy varies by location (typically hold/prepayment for cost of stay) | Policy varies by location (typically hold/prepayment for cost of stay) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Additional Info | All major networks accepted. Special event dates require prepayment of entire cost of stay (refundability depends on location) | Only Visa/Mastercard accepted. Special event dates require prepayment of entire cost of stay (refundability depends on location). Some locations require a credit card to cover incidentals. | Only Visa/Mastercard accepted. Special event dates require prepayment of entire cost of stay (refundability depends on location). Some locations require a credit card to cover incidentals. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Courtesy Hold Policy | Policy depends on location. Courtesy holds are rare. | |||||
Cancellation Policy | Varies by location. Free cancellations 72 to 24 hours before check-in, or on the check-in day, by a certain time, depending on the location. Any cancellation made after the deadline will be subject to a fee that varies by location. |
Hampton by Hilton Payment Methods
Payment Method | Credit Card | Debit Card | Prepaid Card | Cash | Personal Check | Money Order |
Accepted at Booking? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | NO | NO | NO |
Accepted at Check-In? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location |
Accepted at Checkout? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location |
Hold/Security Deposit | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Additional Info | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Business checks accepted for payment two weeks prior to arrival and for single rooms only. A credit/debit/prepaid card must be used to book the room. Must be arranged with location at time of booking. | N/A |
Courtesy Hold Policy | No courtesy holds available. | |||||
Cancellation Policy | Policy varies by location. Most locations are flexible to change or cancel reservation up to 24 hours prior to arrival date. Otherwise charged for first night's stay + tax. |
Holiday Inn Express Payment Methods
Payment Method | Credit Card | Debit Card | Prepaid Card | Cash | Personal Check | Money Order |
Accepted at Booking? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | NO | NO | NO |
Accepted at Check-In? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | YES | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location |
Accepted at Checkout? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | YES | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location |
Hold/Security Deposit | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location
(Typically, requires prepayment for the entire cost of stay) |
N/A | N/A | N/A |
Additional Info | May have to have deposit for first night or may only get charged at check-in depending on booking type.Some locations will not refund hold/security deposit if reservation is cancelled. | May have to have deposit for first night or may only get charged at check-in depending on booking type.Some locations will not refund hold/security deposit if reservation is cancelled. | May have to have deposit for first night or may only get charged at check-in depending on booking type.Some locations will not refund hold/security deposit if reservation is cancelled. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Courtesy Hold Policy | Policy varies by location. Without a credit or debit card reservation, room will typically be held for 24 hours. Must arrive or call location with payment information before courtesy hold is removed. | |||||
Cancellation Policy | Policy varies by location. Usually, if you do not arrive and you have a credit or debit card reservation, you will be charged a no-show fee of the first night's stay + tax. If you cancel a reservation less than 24 hours before check-in, you will owe first night’s stay + tax. |
Super 8 Payment Methods
Payment Method | Credit Card | Debit Card | Prepaid Card | Cash | Personal Check | Money Order |
Accepted at Booking? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | NO | NO | NO |
Accepted at Check-In? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | YES | NO | NO |
Accepted at Checkout? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | YES | NO | NO |
Hold/Security Deposit | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Additional Info | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Courtesy Hold Policy | Policy varies by location. With a reservation, some rooms are guaranteed until 4 p.m., on the day of check-in. | |||||
Cancellation Policy | Free cancellation until 24-48 hours before arrival, depending on location. Otherwise charged for first night's stay + tax. You must inform hotel of late arrival at time of booking to avoid charges. |
Days Inn Payment Methods
Payment Method | Credit Card | Debit Card | Prepaid Card | Cash | Personal Check | Money Order |
Accepted at Booking? | YES | YES | NO | NO | NO | NO |
Accepted at Check-In? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | NO | Policy varies by location |
Accepted at Checkout? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | NO | Policy varies by location |
Hold/Security Deposit | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Additional Info | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Courtesy Hold Policy | With credit or debit card reservation, room is guaranteed. Courtesy hold policies vary by location. Must arrive or call location with payment information before courtesy hold is removed. | |||||
Cancellation Policy | Policy varies by location. Usually will need to cancel at least 24 hours before check-in to avoid charge of first night. |
Comfort Inn Payment Methods
Payment Method | Credit Card | Debit Card | Prepaid Card | Cash | Personal Check | Money Order |
Accepted at Booking? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | NO | NO | NO |
Accepted at Check-In? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | YES | NO | NO |
Accepted at Checkout? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | YES | NO | NO |
Hold/Security Deposit | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Additional Info | Special event dates may require prepayment (amount varies by location) | Special event dates may require prepayment (amount varies by location) | Special event dates may require prepayment (amount varies by location) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Courtesy Hold Policy | Policy varies by location. | |||||
Cancellation Policy | Policy varies by location. Free cancellation within 24-48 hours of check-in, or on the check-in day, by a certain time, depending on the hotel. Penalties for cancelling after this point vary by location. |
Quality Inn Payment Methods
Payment Method | Credit Card | Debit Card | Prepaid Card | Cash | Personal Check | Money Order |
Accepted at Booking? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | NO | NO | NO |
Accepted at Check-In? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | YES | NO | NO |
Accepted at Checkout? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | YES | NO | NO |
Hold/Security Deposit | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | N/A | N/A |
Additional Info | Special event dates may require prepayment (amount varies by location) | Special event dates may require prepayment (amount varies by location) | Special event dates may require prepayment (amount varies by location) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Courtesy Hold Policy | Policy varies by location. | |||||
Cancellation Policy | Policy varies by location. Free cancellation within 24-48 hours of check-in, or on the check-in day, by a certain time, depending on the hotel. Penalties for cancelling after this point vary by location. |
Courtyard by Marriott Payment Methods
Payment Method | Credit Card | Debit Card | Prepaid Card | Cash | Personal Check | Money Order |
Accepted at Booking? | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO | NO |
Accepted at Check-In? | YES | YES | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location |
Accepted at Checkout? | YES | YES | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location |
Hold/Security Deposit | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Additional Info | Special event dates may require prepayment of entire cost of stay (refundability depends on location) | Special event dates may require prepayment of entire cost of stay (refundability depends on location) | Special event dates may require prepayment of entire cost of stay (refundability depends on location) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Courtesy Hold Policy | Courtesy holds are no longer available. | |||||
Cancellation Policy | Policy varies based on the location and the type of stay. |
Holiday Inn Payment Methods
Payment Method | Credit Card | Debit Card | Prepaid Card | Cash | Personal Check | Money Order |
Accepted at Booking? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | NO | NO | NO |
Accepted at Check-In? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | YES | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location |
Accepted at Checkout? | YES | YES | Policy varies by location | YES | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location |
Hold/Security Deposit | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location (Typically, requires prepayment for the entire cost of stay) | Policy varies by location (Typically, requires prepayment for the entire cost of stay) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Additional Info | May have to have deposit for first night or may only get charged at check-in depending on booking type.Some locations will not refund hold/security deposit if reservation is cancelled. | May have to have deposit for first night or may only get charged at check-in depending on booking type.Some locations will not refund hold/security deposit if reservation is cancelled. | May have to have deposit for first night or may only get charged at check-in depending on booking type.Some locations will not refund hold/security deposit if reservation is cancelled. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Courtesy Hold Policy | Policy varies by location. Without a credit or debit card reservation, room will typically be held for 24 hours. Must arrive or call location with payment information before courtesy hold is removed. | |||||
Cancellation Policy | Policy varies by location. Usually, if you do not arrive and have a credit or debit card reservation, you will be charged a no-show fee of the first night's stay + tax. If you cancel a reservation less than 24 hours before check-in, you will owe first night’s stay + tax. |
Marriott Payment Methods
Payment Method | Credit Card | Debit Card | Prepaid Card | Cash | Personal Check | Money Order |
Accepted at Booking? | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO | NO |
Accepted at Check-In? | YES | YES | YES | YES | Policy varies by location (Corporate checks are generally accepted) | Policy varies by location |
Accepted at Checkout? | YES | YES | YES | YES | Policy varies by location (Corporate checks are generally accepted) | Policy varies by location |
Hold/Security Deposit | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | Policy varies by location | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Additional Info | Special event dates may require prepayment of entire cost of stay (refundability depends on location) | Special event dates may require prepayment of entire cost of stay (refundability depends on location) | Special event dates may require prepayment of entire cost of stay (refundability depends on location) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Courtesy Hold Policy | Courtesy holds are no longer available. | |||||
Cancellation Policy | Policy varies based on the location and the type of stay. |
Note: The information in the tables above comes from hotel websites and customer service representatives. It is accurate as of the date of posting.
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