Can You Use a Debit Card to Book a Hotel Room?

Different hotels allow different forms of payment. Discover if you can use a debit card to pay for your hotel bookings here.

Rob Elgar - Writer for CashYo
By Rob Elgar
Joel Taylor - Editor for CashYo
Edited by Joel Taylor

Published March 30, 2023.

In a world that has quickly become digitalized, almost everything can be bought with the use of a debit card. Hotel rooms are no different, and in fact, it is more likely to be able to use a debit card to make a reservation than it would be to use cash.

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When Can You Use a Debit Card for Hotel Reservations?

in most cases, hotels will allow you to make reservations or pay for rooms using your debit card; however, there are hotels that will require a credit card, as well as smaller hotels or stays that may request cash upon arrival.

Walk-in Bookings

If a hotel supports card payments, they will likely do so for walk-in bookings. Some hotels will require you to pay for your room upfront while others will allow you to pay when you checkout.

Sites like booking.com have a "pay when you arrive" option, where you can book online but pay at the hotel. However, many smaller hotels don't have card facilities and will require you to either pay online or pay in cash if you wish to do so at the hotel.

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Online Bookings

Whether you are making an online booking directly through the hotel or via a travel agency, you will almost always be able to pay with your debit card. Some hotels that allow you to pay upon arrival may require your card details as a form of deposit in case you cancel your booking after cutoff times.

Conclusion

In a digital world, most transactions are finding their way online. In order for hotels to remain in business, it has become essential for them to accept debit cards, as well as other forms of online payments.

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