Do You Really Need a Credit Card to Check Into a Hotel? Here's What You Need to Know

The short answer is no — but it’s complicated. While many hotels require a credit card as a guarantee at check-in, numerous payment alternatives exist if you don’t have one. The real question isn’t whether you can travel without a credit card, but how prepared you need to be when you arrive at the front desk.

Why Hotels Demand Credit Cards in the First Place

Hotels typically require credit card information for two core reasons: handling cancellation fees and covering potential damages or theft. If you cancel after the hotel’s cutoff window, they need a way to charge you. Similarly, hotels use credit card holds as security against room damage, missing items, or minibar charges during your stay.

However, this doesn’t mean your actual payment must come from a credit card — it just means they need a card on file to cover their bases. That’s an important distinction that many travelers overlook.

Which Hotel Chains Will Actually Work With You

The major chains show mixed policies:

More Flexible Options:

• Best Western: Phone reservations don’t require a credit card (800-564-2515), and many properties accept alternate payment at check-in
• Hilton: Accepts debit cards as a guarantee when booking directly
• Marriott: Allows debit cards at check-in as an alternative to credit
• Motel 6: Some locations accept debit or bank cards alongside credit (though 10+ room group reservations need credit card advance deposits)

Stricter Policies:

• Hyatt: Credit card mandatory for all online reservations
• Radisson: Credit only — debit cards won’t work
• Wyndham: Requires credit cards for online bookings

One critical detail: Card holds can take up to five business days to release after checkout, meaning your money stays locked up well into your trip home.

Your Alternative Payment Playbook

Strategy 1: Book By Phone

Hotel websites often have rigid automated systems, but speaking to a property manager directly can yield exceptions. Policies vary by location, and humans are often more flexible than algorithms.

Strategy 2: Use Third-Party Travel Sites

If Marriott demands a credit card on their direct website, Expedia or Orbitz might let you book the same room with debit, PayPal, or services like Affirm (which offers recurring partial payments). Trade-off: potentially higher rates and stricter cancellation terms.

Strategy 3: Prepare Your Check-In Options

Cash Security Deposit: Some hotels accept cash instead of a card hold. The advantage? Money releases immediately at checkout rather than days later. The downside? Security deposits often exceed $200, sometimes reaching $1,000+ at luxury properties.

Debit Card Hold: Similar to credit, though watch for daily spending limits on prepaid debit cards — they might block the additional deposit amount.

Independent & Small Properties: Local motels and bed-and-breakfasts usually lack corporate policies and show more flexibility. They’re more likely to work with you if you explain your situation.

Vacation Rentals: Airbnb accepts Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and debit cards in most countries. Better yet, Airbnb prohibits security deposits — they simply notify guests that damage charges may apply and handle disputes through their Resolution Center. (Just don’t try paying cash — that violates their terms.)

The Bottom Line: Be Proactive

The best approach is calling your hotel before arrival to ask what options exist if you don’t have a credit card. Hotels with inflexible policies aren’t worth the stress. Plenty of alternatives exist — you just need to plan ahead.

Data context: An estimated 83 million American adults don’t hold a credit card, according to Census data. Travel without one is increasingly common, and the hospitality industry is slowly adapting. Know your rights, understand what you can offer as an alternative, and don’t accept “no” as a final answer until you’ve asked directly.