For years, a popular saying was “cash is king.” You didn’t have to have a credit or debit card. You didn’t even have to have a checking account. As long as you could pay for something with cash, you were good to go.
Nowadays, not so much.
Sure, you can still easily pay for some things with cash. Groceries (if you go to the store yourself to buy them). Purchases at a gas station (if you pre-pay for your gas, anyway). Little stuff like that.
But over the years, we’ve become more and more of a cashless society, with the likes of Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, direct deposits, credit cards, debit cards and even prepaid reloadable cards taking the place of cold, hard cash. The COVID pandemic put even more nails into the cash coffin, when “touch-free” became all the rage.
Which leads to the question – do ANY hotels accept cash anymore?
The answer is yes, but with two caveats: not all do, and you almost always still need a card on file.
What’s up with hotels wanting credit cards?
Essentially, hotels want to make sure they’re paid for everything that may be owed to them.
So if you make a reservation, they want a credit card on file as a deposit. That way, if you’re a no-show, they can still charge you as per whatever rules they have set up (usually the one-night deposit).
They also want a way to be able to charge you if you just happen to, you know, sneak out and leave the hotel without paying them on your check out day.
AND they want to ensure they can charge you for whatever else might come up. Minibar fees. Smoking in the room (they’re sneaky about that one). Stealing the bathrobes. Trashing the room. Stuff like that.
If you’re paying with cash, you may or may not have enough cash on hand to cover what you owe them…and they know it. So nowadays, hotels really prefer credit cards (and sometimes debit cards—but less often). But we’ll save that for another post.
But as I said, some hotels DO still take cash. It varies by brand—and sometimes by individual property within the same brand. Here are the rules for some hotels – the list, which focuses on the U.S., is by NO MEANS exhaustive.
So, which hotel brands still accept cash?
Choice Hotels
Varies by location, regardless of brand. Call hotel directly.
Drury Hotels
Cash with a valid payment card and photo ID are accepted at check in at Drury Inn & Suites McAllen, Pear Tree Inn Cape Girardeau West, Pear Tree Inn Cape Girardeau Near the Medical Center, and Pear Tree Inn San Antonio Airport. Other Drury Hotels do not accept cash.
Extended Stay America
Guests may be required to provide a deposit of up to $250 with the hotel for any incidental charges incurred during the guest’s stay. The entirety of, or remaining balance of this deposit will be returned or released after check-out. Any unused credit card/debit card authorizations will be credited back within 5-7 business days, depending on your financial institution. Refunds of cash over $100.00 may be mailed by check within 14 days of departure. A receipt will be provided at check-in verifying receipt of the incidental authorization or cash payment, and at check-out verifying the balance, if any. Specific deposit policies vary by hotel; for details, please contact the hotel directly.
IHG
Varies by location, regardless of brand. Call hotel directly.
Hilton
Varies by location, regardless of brand. Call hotel directly.
Howard Johnson
Varies by location. Call hotel directly.
Hyatt
Varies by location, regardless of brand.
No info about cash payment on their website; call (800) 323-7249 for questions.
InTown Suites
All of InTown’s 196 locations will accept cash at check-in. Guests are required to pay for their entire stay upfront and must provide a photo ID.
If a guest does decide to pay with cash at check-in, a cash deposit is required to cover any potential damages. Of course, this deposit is fully refundable upon check out after a room inspection is complete. Guests also have the option to keep an active credit or debit card on file in lieu of a cash deposit. The card would only be charged if damages occur.
Marriott
Varies by location, regardless of brand. Call hotel directly.
Omni Hotels
Varies by location. Call hotel directly.
Motel 6 & Studio 6
Advance payments may be made with cash, credit card, or traveler’s checks (except in Canada, where only credit card is accepted and cash or traveler’s checks are not permitted).
Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts
Varies by location. Call hotel directly.
Radisson
Most (but not all) locations accept cash, regardless of brands. When paying with cash you must pay at check-in. An additional cash deposit is required to cover room charges or damages.
No info about cash payment on their website; call (800) 333-3333 (yes, really) for questions.
Red Lion Hotels
Varies by location. Call hotel directly.
Red Roof Inn
According to their FAQ, Red Roof Inn doesn’t specifically say they accept cash payment, but they may offer alternatives for those who feel uncomfortable using a credit card to book a reservation. The suggest calling 1-800-RED-ROOF or by contacting the hotel property directly.
Shilo Inns
Credit card required for check in but cash payment allowed at check out.
No info about cash payment on their website; call (800) 222-2244 for questions.
Wyndham
Varies by location, regardless of brand. Call hotel directly.
Feature Photo: pixabay
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