Do you need a credit card for hotels in the USA?
It is not just car rentals. Many hotels in the United States also ask for a card at check-in to hold a deposit for incidentals. Here is when you really need a credit card and what you risk with a debit card.
Why hotels ask for a card at check-in
At check-in the hotel holds an amount on your card to cover incidentals: minibar, room service, possible room damage. It is the same idea as a rental deposit, applied to your stay.
The hold is usually calculated per night and released after check-out, once the hotel confirms there are no extra charges.
Using a debit card at a hotel: what changes
As at the rental counter, a debit card changes how the deposit weighs on your account:
- The hold leaves your available balance instead of just being set aside.
- The per-night amount adds up on longer stays.
- Some hotels accept debit cards only on stricter terms.
- Prepaid cards are often refused for the check-in hold.
How much US hotels hold
Amounts vary a lot, but a typical hold for incidentals runs from about $50 to $100 per night, higher at upscale hotels and resorts. Across several nights, and several stops on a trip, these figures add up fast.
How to reach check-in without trouble
RentalCard makes the hotel deposit hold work like a credit card, without touching your account, while you use it as a debit card for everything else. One card for the rental and the hotel, accepted where it matters.