Quote:
Originally Posted by Wintergirl80
There is nothing "shady" or untrustworthy about paying with a pre-paid gift card or cash for a hotel. I have done so with no problems. I always leave the place in great condition and have stayed at many hotel brands across the U.S.
The only deposit I have ever been charged is for car rentals.
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The only thing that is true about this post is that you've probably stayed at many places and you've probably been a wonderful guest.
As a hotel manager, though, I can tell you that checking into a hotel with a pre-paid gift card is only possible if the front desk associate who is doing the check-in process does not know he/she is not supposed to accept them. Where the confusion around them comes in is that hotels would be happy to accept it for definitive invoices following a stay. The computer doesn't know the difference. The front desk agent SHOULD, but it can be confusing, especially for new hotel employees. These cards are in no way connected to the guest and it would be a very poor way to run a business if they were allowed to check-in with them only.
Finally, major hotel chains are exactly like car rental agencies. Whether you realize it or not, you are being charged a deposit in the form of an incidental hold. I recommend using a credit card and not a debit card (even if it has a visa or mastercard logo on it) when checking into a hotel so that this hold only counts against your credit limit availability and doesn't temporarily remove actual monies from your checking account).
Sorry for the detail. I've literally seen it all and I've been asked this 1,000,000 times.
Side note: I don't think this at all pertains to the OP. They commented it wasn't a pre-paid card.
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