Can you use a debit card at a hotel?

[Purple*Lotus]

I should know this, I was a maid at one once, but I never, ever stay in them

The weather is supposed to be extreme tomorrow. If I could not get home, would I be able to get a hotel room with my debit card? I don't have a credit card. I am worried that I wont be able to make it home or to any of my student's houses *I have parents offering to let me stay with them, but there is a hotel super close to my job and if it is really severe, I may only make it that far*. Thanks to anyone who knows

ETA: I would call them but I don't know what the name of it is

[A&A]

I think so, but perhaps call the hotel and ask so you know for sure.

[AndrewsMother]

In the US I know for a fact that debit cards with a Visa or Mastercard logo are accepted at hotels. I never use a credit card to pay or hold a hotel room.

[Happily Blessed]

Yes, I just paid for my husband's overnight stay with mine. Always ask for whatever discount available to you, or go to travelocity.com or the other ones, like priceline, or hotels.com. When we have had issues those companies will help you out and most of time they are less expensive. If you are a teacher, at least ask for a government employee discount.

[Purple*Lotus]

I figure that if the weather is truly that bad, they will let us out of work early. However, I am still far enough away from home that it could be an issue. Hopefully I will get home safe and sound and I wont need to worry about it. I do have enough stuff in my trunk to sleep at work if I had to, but I would rather avoid that if possible as there is no shower

Thanks!

[rainyday]

The hotel will sometimes (often?) place a hold on the account for a certain amount of money. Before you check in to one, you probably will want to find out how much the hold is because it will often not be released for several days. So if the room charge is $100, and they place a $200 hold on your account, the charge will go through in the morning when you check out (sometimes when you check in), but the hold will often stay on until it expires, so in that scenario you could end up with $300 not available for a few days.

[lovebug]

Originally Posted by rainyday

The hotel will sometimes (often?) place a hold on the account for a certain amount of money. Before you check in to one, you probably will want to find out how much the hold is because it will often not be released for several days. So if the room charge is $100, and they place a $200 hold on your account, the charge will go through in the morning when you check out (sometimes when you check in), but the hold will often stay on until it expires, so in that scenario you could end up with $300 not available for a few days.

i just put one on my debit card and the hold was there for 10 days

[Drummer's Wife]

We have done so numerous times over the years, and as recently as a couple months ago. We haven't used credit in years, and I can't imagine them not taking our money

eta: we must have gotten lucky every time, b/c I can't recall having anyone hold funds... I do know our debit cards were often ran as credit (visa logo) since I noticed it would take a few days after we checked out to even deduct the money.

[justamama]

I've never had a hold, either. But they do run it through like a credit card. As long as there is a visa or mc logo on it, I don't imagine there would be a problem.

[lovebug]

i should also say that i have done this many times and never (other then 2 weeks ago) had a hold longer then my stay.

most places will do a hold for damages. if its a CC it clears faster the "true funds". it been the warning every time i check. they will say something like " if you use debit you may have a hold"

maybe its a state thing???

[Theia]

If you are worried about the security charge being on hold for a long time on your debit card, you can always pay in cash. They only asked for my address which was the one on my drivers license and the deposit in cash at check in. When I was between homes last year and didn't have a bank or legal address I payed in cash (not that I divulged that info) . The room charge was around $50-60 for a night and they just made me pay double at check in and at check out the next morning they refunded the security deposit. They were supposed to send someone to check the room to make sure my 1yo DD and I didn't have a wild party or steal all the linens, but they didn't (probably cuz DD is so darn cute ) and refunded the deposit without delay. There was no way at the time I could afford to have a sum of money on hold for over a week. Its like a loan without interest!

eta: I think I may have had to supply them my debit card number, it was with the understanding that the card was not to be charged for the basic room and deposit fee since I was paying them in cash. I think it makes them feel better to have a card number. In my case that account was near zero and closed shortly after which was why I insisted on paying in cash. It's not often that I go around with that much money in my wallet though either.

[ollineeba]

You can, but my concern would be the hold which other posters have mentioned.
What I like to do is book on Priceline, etc. and use my debit card. Then when I get to the hotel & they ask for a credit card for incidentals, I just ask them to shut everything off instead (outgoing calls on the phone, pay-per-view movies, etc). So they don't need a card.. It's worked for us in the past multiple times.

[enkmom]

I vacationed this summer strictly on my debit card and had no trouble at all, and had no holds placed. I have also paid cash and have never been turned away.

[Thystle]

I hope you are getting home ok today!



I have used my debit card many times in many states. Never had an issue.



I have also just used cash. Never seen a motel or hotel actually turn it down. They don't like it, but most (not all, but most) won't say no.

[lilyka]

depends on the card. if it has a visa or MC logo on it and does not require a pin number then it should go through just fine.

[Hannah32]

As others have said, you can, but watch the hold issue. You're better off paying in cash.

[Purple*Lotus]

My wonderful boss (who lives near work) was nice enough to let me leave an hour early today while she stayed with my students I was able to make it home safely I doubt I would have made it home had I not left early! Thank you all for your comments and good thoughts