In today's world, we often find ourselves looking for the best and safest way to pay for the things and experiences we choose. For instance, at a gas station, is it better to pay the clerk inside with cash or just swipe your debit card at the pump? You may think to swipe your card, but wait, what about those card skimmers?
Hotels typically ask for a credit card number for your reservation payment, but did you know that you can pay for your hotel room with a checking account right from the initial reservation? Let’s dive into further details on paying for a hotel with a checking account, along with the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.
Key Takeaways
Yes, though it seems less popular than using credit cards, you can pay for a hotel using your checking account. It may even be the easiest way to go about it.
If you don’t have a debit card associated with the checking account, you can provide the hotel clerk with your account number and routing number on a form.
While most hotel chains will accept checking accounts for every aspect of your stay, there are some chains that may ask for a card. Use the chart below to get an idea of which payment method is acceptable and when.
Payment Type | Accepted for Reservations? | Accepted at Check-In? | Accepted at Check-Out? |
---|---|---|---|
Cash | No | Depends on the hotel chain | Yes |
Debit Card | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Prepaid Card | No | Yes | Yes |
Credit Card | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Checking Account | Depends on the hotel chain | Yes | Yes |
Money Order | No | No | No |
PayPal | Depends on the hotel chain or site. | Depends, call ahead. | Depends, call ahead. |
Why Pay for a Hotel Room with a Checking Account?
Traditionally, many of us have opted to settle our hotel bills using credit cards. However, if you'd rather not go down that route, you're not alone in that preference.
A growing trend is shifting towards using checking account numbers for hotel payments, and it's worth noting that we're not talking about writing physical checks here. You can provide your account information to the hotel clerk to cover your stay and any additional expenses. This method is just as convenient as using a credit or debit card.
If you're concerned about increasing your credit balance further, using your checking account number is a viable alternative.
Your checking account information is securely stored for hotel payments, making it significantly more challenging for external parties to misuse it for unauthorized transactions compared to a debit card number, which can be more vulnerable.
In today's digital age, writing a physical check is often less efficient and practical for settling your hotel expenses, especially considering that many of us no longer carry physical checks.
In light of these considerations, paying for your hotel room with your checking account is not only secure but also highly convenient.
Related: How to deposit a check without ID
Discovering Which Hotels Accept Checking Account Payments
Most hotels list what payment methods they accept on their websites. It's easy to check online when you're looking for a hotel that accepts checking account numbers for payment.
You can also call the hotel and verify with a staff member whether checking account numbers are accepted. It's easier to start by looking online on the website and calling the hotel if you are unable to locate the information on your own.
One other option is to make your booking through a third party. Even if the hotel doesn't accept checking account number payments directly, you could still pay with a checking account through the third-party provider.
We've put together a short list of hotel chains that we've been able to confirm accept checking account payments here:
Start by reaching out to the hotel to confirm if they accept checking account payments. It's crucial to ensure that the hotel you plan to stay at accommodates this option.
After verifying that the hotel accepts checking account payments, inquire about their specific payment policies. This includes information on any immediate deposits and the overall payment process. Be sure to clarify any uncertainties regarding payment procedures.
When making your reservation, you'll need to furnish the hotel representative with your checking account information. You may also be asked to provide the account holder's name and the name of your banking institution.
After your stay, the hotel clerk will inform you of the expected amount to be deducted from your checking account. Make a note of this figure and keep an eye on your account balance to ensure the withdrawal is accounted for. The time it takes for the withdrawal to clear varies depending on your bank but generally takes only a few business days.
That's a straightforward process. It's user-friendly and equally secure compared to using a credit card.
Discovering Which Hotels Accept Checking Account Payments
Most hotels list what payment methods they accept on their websites. It's easy to check online when you're looking for a hotel that accepts checking account numbers for payment.
You can also call the hotel and verify with a staff member whether checking account numbers are accepted. It's easier to start by looking online on the website and calling the hotel if you are unable to locate the information on your own.
One other option is to make your booking through a third party. Even if the hotel doesn't accept checking account number payments directly, you could still pay with a checking account through the third-party provider.
Setting Up Your Checking Account Payment Information
Before you give the information for your account to the booking agent or hotel clerk, verify you have it written correctly. You need the correct routing number and your bank account number.
Make sure the funds needed are in your account before providing any of the information to the hotel clerk. The hotel may need to draw a deposit off your checking account. Make sure you account for any money used for room charges and incidentals.
Things to Keep in Mind When Paying with Your Checking Account Number
What Are Some Alternative Payment Methods Besides Cards?
A growing trend is toward providing your checking account number for your hotel bill. It's fast, easy, convenient, safe, and beneficial. If you're looking for a way to keep your debt down and stick to your budget, this is a good way to do that. Pay for your hotel with your checking account.
Related: Strategies to pay off credit card debt
Yes, you can probably pay for a hotel in person with cash, but you won't be able to reserve the hotel in advance with cash. Furthermore, most hotels will require a card for incidentals. So, cash is really not a great option beyond paying the bill upon receipt.
Plus, carrying such a large sum of cash is not only inconvenient but can also be impractical, especially since many banks impose withdrawal limits.
If you are a cash-only person, we've put together a list of hotels that still take cash (probably with some restrictions). Of course, we recommend calling ahead to confirm because each hotel chain may have different rules in place for each franchise.
For readers who wanted to know if they could pay for a hotel with a checking account, here are other topics they were interested in:
To pay for a hotel with an electronic check, you typically need to provide your checking account information, including your account number and routing number, either online or over the phone when making a reservation.
The hotel will then process the payment electronically by deducting the funds directly from your checking account. It's a convenient and secure method of payment for your stay.
A courtesy hold is a temporary reservation or hold placed on your credit card to guarantee your booking. It's commonly used by hotels to ensure that a room is available for your stay, especially if you're arriving later in the day.
While it doesn't immediately charge your card, it reserves the room for you and may show up as a pending transaction on your credit card statement. The hold amount varies but is usually the cost of one night's stay. It's essential to be aware of these holds, as they can temporarily reduce your available credit limit until they are released by the hotel, which typically happens when you check in or check out.
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