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Original poster

hotels abroad

106 replies

Flute56 · 04/09/2023 20:46

I am going abroad on holiday and big hotels take a payment for any damages occured. I do not have a debit card as I lost it. I do not have a credit card. I only have cash. A friend of mine said the hotel need a card payment. They will not take cash. The travel agent said they will probably take a cash payment if I do not have a caard. Does anyone know. The agent said just because my friend said they will not accept cash literally means they will waive the fee and not take any payment/ The travel agent have emailed the hotel to ask

OP posts:
AtomicBlondeRose · 04/09/2023 20:48

Open a Monzo or Revolut account and get a virtual card you can add to your Apple/Google Pay instantly. You can use it anywhere abroad without fees and it solves a lot of problems.

Original poster
Flute56 · 04/09/2023 21:11

i dont want to do that.

OP posts:
RichardMarxisinnocent · 04/09/2023 21:14

Surely if you've lost your debit card you need to get a replacement for it anyway? So you can use that once you get it?

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General money Holidays
LIZS · 04/09/2023 21:14

Most will need a card. Can you not order a replacement?

Wiii · 04/09/2023 21:21

They pretty much always ask for a card

G5000 · 04/09/2023 21:23

you could just call the hotel and ask? They will know what their policy is.

cruffinsmuffin · 04/09/2023 21:24

How do you have access to cash with no bank card?

Any hotel I've stayed at recently (for the last few years!) has needed a card to put a charge against in case of damage, cash hasn't been an option.

YouHoooo · 04/09/2023 21:24

How are you going to spend money when you’re there? Taking all the cash you need sounds…retro.

RLmadmum · 04/09/2023 21:38

You need a card on file for the hotel to charge you for any damages that may occur. I suggest you order a replacement card from your bank to facilitate this, otherwise the hotel may reject your booking.

Justcallmebebes · 04/09/2023 21:56

Every hotel I've ever stayed in wanted card details

clipclop5 · 04/09/2023 22:49

There is absolutely no way in 2023 you don’t own a bank card. It’s not difficult to get a replacement debit card. Maybe instead of complaining and asking bizarre questions on MN ring your bank and sort it out?

OfficerChurlish · 04/09/2023 23:21

Hotel policies vary especially internationally; some take cash but many don't. You just have to see what this hotel's policies are and if they have the ability to make an exception, which your agent is in the process of finding out.

If they do need a card, do you have time to get a replacement for your debit card, are you traveling with someone who could put the deposit for your room on their card? If you don't have time to physically get your new card, it may be possible to put the details into Apple Pay or something like that and use the card electronically, if the hotel will allow that.

BlackForestCake · 05/09/2023 00:01

Are you mental?

Do you go into a bank branch with your bank book every time you need cash?

junbean · 05/09/2023 00:10

Hotels do not accept cash anymore. You absolutely have to have a card and an ID. Those days are long gone.

suburbophobe · 05/09/2023 00:24

Is it your first time going abroad?

I'm just confused how you think stuff works outside UK. (Like anywhere else, really).

Debit and credit card to pay for meals out, supermarket bits and bobs, shopping etc.

Hotels will always ask for a credit card to cover any costs in case you do a runner.

I do not have a debit card as I lost it. Well. The bank takes about 5-7 days to get you a new one. Have you even organised that?

Please don't tell me you are expecting your friend to fix it all for you when abroad.... (See previous threads about cheeky fucker friends when abroad).

suburbophobe · 05/09/2023 00:31

Hotels do not accept cash anymore. You absolutely have to have a card and an ID. Those days are long gone.

Exactly. Imagine being the night receptionist (done it) and a robber coming in to demand cash. That's why it's all on credit card now.

OP, have a great holiday. I think your eyes will be opened to how the world works. I mean that sincerely.

suburbophobe · 05/09/2023 00:34

i dont want to do that.

I don't think you want to go abroad either. Which is o.k.

Just be honest with your friend and don't dick her around.

suburbophobe · 05/09/2023 00:38

I only have cash.

The only people I know who "only have cash" are either working "black" (i.e. not paying tax) or cocaine dealers.

I give up.

BranchGold · 05/09/2023 00:39

How do you operate in your day to day life in the U.K.? Cash only? Where does your income get paid in to? I have so many questions!

BIWI · 05/09/2023 00:42

As someone in your 50s (I ASd you, I'm afraid), how on earth have you got to this stage in life without understanding the need for both a debit and a credit card? Especially since Covid, fewer and fewer places take cash.

Get a replacement debit card, and apply for a credit card. I can recommend the Halifax Clarity card, as they don't charge commission on transactions abroad.

almostoverthehill · 05/09/2023 00:43

BIWI · 05/09/2023 00:42

As someone in your 50s (I ASd you, I'm afraid), how on earth have you got to this stage in life without understanding the need for both a debit and a credit card? Especially since Covid, fewer and fewer places take cash.

Get a replacement debit card, and apply for a credit card. I can recommend the Halifax Clarity card, as they don't charge commission on transactions abroad.

Rubbish! You DON’T have to have a credit card, a debit card yes, a CC is personal choice

BIWI · 05/09/2023 00:48

OK - calm down! - but I think for foreign travel a credit card is a very good idea.

almostoverthehill · 05/09/2023 00:50

BIWI · 05/09/2023 00:48

OK - calm down! - but I think for foreign travel a credit card is a very good idea.

Like I say personal choice

Original poster
Flute56 · 05/09/2023 03:10

I think people on here have judged me unfairly and that is partly my fault for not explaining my situation peoperly. Usually when I go abroad it is to stay with people I know in their own homes so I do not stay in hotels so that is why I am clueless as to their policies. The last couple of times I went abroad and stayed in hotels they were very small hotels in very small towns and those hotels do not ask for damage payment so when i stayed in a large hotel for the first time last year in a large city and they asked me to pay this money for damages I was shocked because I was not expecting it because the other smaller hotels never asked for it .
Also I would like to say that I lost my debit card last Friday. I went to a bank to order a replacement on Saturday and the reason I went into a bank was because I had no debit card so no way of obtaining any money or going shopping so I needed cash and for that I needed to physically go into the bank and get the staff to give me some cash which they didl They told me that the replacement card will be with me in 5 working days time. That would normally not be a problem and I would continue to use cash to pay for things until the new card arrived. However, I am going abroad TOMORROW and the card will not arrive in time for me to take it with me. This is why i said I only have cash. I do not have a credit card and I have decided to get one so when I ordered a replacement debit card, I also ordered a credit card because if I lose my debit card again then at least I have a credit card to use. I am not stupid enough to travel abroad without a plastic card whether it be a debit or credit card but when the card it lost and you are soon to be travelling abroad and will not get a replacement card in time before you go then you have no choice but to go without a plastic card and take cash with you which I had got already so at least I can pay for meals in reataurants and any excursions with cash. My friend said to me that even though the bank said it will take 5 working days for the card to arrive it usually comes sooner which is true because I have had replacement cards before and they always come sooner than expected but I am travelling tomorrow and I do not think the card will arrive before i go. It will be a miracle if it arrrives today because todaya because I travel tomorrow at 6am so I would really need it to arrive today so I can take it with me because even if it comes tomorrow, it will be too late because I will already be on my way to the airport

OP posts:
junbean · 05/09/2023 03:23

So when you get to the hotel, usually at check in they ask for a card, and won’t let you checkin without one. Even if you already provided that info online during booking they still ask for a card at check in. I remember the first time I experienced this, I was surprised, and had not brought my card, only cash with me. Luckily it was a girls trip and another friend had a card. Maybe where you are going they won’t do this, but it does seem to be the norm nowadays. Maybe you should research other options for your stay (hostel, b&b maybe?) before you leave so you’re not lost if you can’t check in.