Can I use a debit card rather than credit card at hotel check in?

[JulietSierra]

I’ve got a hotel booking for tomorrow night, booked and paid for weeks ago on PayPal. Just noticed in their t and cs that I need a credit card to check in but I don’t have one! Stupid question…will a debit card be ok?

Not sure - I thought it has to be the card the booking was made on.

Maybe call the hotel & ask them?

Should be fine, they will just put a pre-authorisation on it

You should be able to. I did that last night. They just put a preauthorisation on the debit card.

Usually its credit card because they will 'hold' an amount as pending until you check out, so if you have enough money on your debit card then that may be ok

I paid on PayPal which is linked to the debit card I’ll have with me.

Even I hope so otherwise I don’t know what I’ll do!!

Depends how much money you have in you bank account. The card requirement will be to put a block of £500 reserved on your card in case you order off room service and then don't pay up when checking out. With a credit card this has no effect unless you are sailing close to your credit limit. If you have less than £500 in the bank it will stop you from spending anything - will that be a problem?

No. I've tried and failed. Credit card only.

I stay in hotels/book apartments in the UK pretty regularly and usually pay with my debit card or Paypal - never had an issue and never had to specifically give credit card details.

It's said this on all the hotel bookings I've ever made on booking.com and I have never had a credit card. Never had a problem. Stopped in a hotel 3 times this year in fact with no issues

I’ve never owned a credit card and have stayed in hotels many times, never had a problem.

I’ve checked in before with no card at all If the room is paid. In most places they can do without the pre authorisation on your card but it means you can’t order room service. I regretted that one night when I needed a pizza to help sober me up and I had to go down to reception to pay for it. Sort of defeated the object.

No, there’s plenty in my account to cover. I’ll really stressed now though. I know it sounds a bit pathetic but it’s actually a really big thing for me to travel and stay in a hotel by myself and now I’m panicking that I’ll be turned away😩.

Thank you for that!

Thank you!

You can have a credit card for only £1000 though (maybe lower, idk, but I had £1000 to start) so could easily have less than £500 left.

Why dont you ring and ask them? Better to actually find out the answer than rely on people who have no idea which hotel you're going to

I've never had a credit card in my life and I've always managed fine in hotels etc with my debit card.
It's never been an issue.

I used a debit card just yesterday at an IHG hotel because I couldn't remember my credit card pin. No problem at all. Their holding amount is £50.

Phew, thanks!

Former Front Desk Manager checking in! As long as there's plenty of money available on your debit card you'll be absolutely fine, they might the a pre authorisation l, but as the room is pre paid they might not take anything at all and you'll just not be able to charge items to your room. Please do not worry even a tiny bit.

I would absolutely check with the hotel ahead of time. Trying to check out without an acceptable method of payment is hideously embarrassing and stressful.

Gosh that's a lot of typos, apologies!

Won’t be using room service.

Thank you so very much! It’s an Ibis hotel and there’s plenty of money available on my debit card. Won’t need to charge anything to my room so really hoping I’ll be ok!!