Which of these hotels that don’t require a deposit? Hotel deposits may seem like an inconvenience for guests, but they actually offer real advantages to both hotels and travelers alike. They help hotels ensure guests commit to their reservations, protecting against costly no-shows and cancellations at the last minute.
Hoteliers often require deposits as security against incidentals such as room service charges or minibar purchases, making budgeting for incidentals challenging for guests who prefer control over expenses.
Here are 9 Hotels that don’t require a deposit:
- Radisson Hotel Group
- Hilton Worldwide
- Hyatt Hotels Corporation
- Accor Hotels
- InterContinental Hotels Group
- Marriott International
- Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
- Best Western Hotels and Resorts
- Choice Hotels International
Credit Cards
Credit cards are usually the only method available for booking hotel rooms; however, some hotels allow cash payments with deposits required at check-in. They may also ask for some form of ID such as driver’s license or passport upon check-in.
Hotels may require deposits as a security measure against damages and incidentals charges that guests might incur during their stay, as well as to discourage cancellation fees from becoming too prohibitive for potential guests.
Many hotels don’t know exactly how much a guest will spend during their stay until they check-in and start charging items to their room, such as food or beverages from the minibar. Furthermore, resort or cleaning fees might need to be assessed; having a credit card on file allows for the hotel to keep a small hold against an account instead of holding all the funds at once.
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Debit-based payments involve having money directly taken out of your bank account by a hotel and released back later; it could take days, even weeks, for this money to come back into your account from its hiding spot in the bank.
With a debit card in hand, it’s easier than ever to contact hotels to ask about their policies before arriving. Sometimes an understanding property manager will make an exception from standard policy by waiving an advance deposit requirement altogether.
Debit Cards
Some hotels accept cash payments; however, online booking systems typically require credit cards as payment for reservations. If a hotel accepts cash as payment option, however, they might ask guests for a deposit such as a cashier’s check or money order to cover incidentals such as room service, minibar items and pay-per-view movies.
Hotel properties may also place a hold on your account that operates similarly to credit card authorization, with payments deducted only when it’s time for checkout. This gives them peace of mind that their TV or mini bar won’t go missing without proper payment being made in return.
But, a reputable hotel will notify you beforehand about the amount it’ll authorize your room for and its intended use (incidentals or damages). They typically release this hold within 24 hours after checkout if there was no damage caused during your stay, such as raiding mini bars, trashing the room or other incidents.
If you’re concerned about hotel’s ability to regulate your spending, using a debit card with an already preloaded balance might be beneficial. Prepaid cards are also readily available both offline and online that work similarly but require you to load the balance before using.
Cash
Hotels that do not require cash deposits typically allow guests to pay at checkout; however, some may require credit card details in case there are incidentals or damages during their stay. It is wise to inquire with each hotel as to their policy before booking a room.
Hotel chains generally only accept debit cards if guests have enough money in their bank accounts to cover both the entire cost of the stay plus extra expenses like room service or minibar purchases. When this hold drops – usually within a week – they will then be free to spend their funds as desired.
Hotels require deposits from guests as a security measure against cancellation of reservations or occupancy of rooms by other guests willing to pay higher rates, and damage or other costly charges that might occur during their stay, such as broken lamps and stained sheets.
Cash payments tend to work best at smaller, independent hotels that do not typically accept credit or debit card payments; using cash as payment at large chains can be more challenging as many require processing credit and debit card payments as part of their standard services.
Third-Party Bookings
Although hotels often offer attractive perks and deals for guests who book directly, third-party bookings remain popular with consumers for price and convenience reasons. Hotels can combat third-party sites by creating loyalty programs to create brand advocates among their customer base; or promote their best prices to bring in additional bookings through third-party booking sites.
Third-party hotel booking sites act as intermediaries between travelers and hotels, providing an easy way for them to compare prices, read reviews and book reservations. They typically offer accommodations from budget-friendly to luxury resorts at competitive rates that may even beat what can be found directly through hotels themselves. They also negotiate deals and discounts directly with hotels which often result in lower pricing compared to what can be found directly.
Hotel managers usually require deposits as a safeguard against possible administrative errors and to make sure guests do not rack up unnecessary charges or damage the room during their stay. Travelers may attempt to convince hotel management of this fact by showing proof of travel insurance, which shows they won’t be held liable in case any damages occur during their stay.
Third-party booking websites charge additional booking fees that can quickly add up, making it vitally important that travelers compare prices before making reservations through these third-party sites. Furthermore, their customer service departments often outsource themselves; leading to potentially unhelpful and unpleasant interactions with hotel representatives.