Hotels That Don't Require a Deposit: Your Credit-Free Travel Guide

Millions of Americans don’t carry credit cards—whether by choice or circumstance. According to recent data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an estimated 83 million adults in the U.S. don’t have access to credit cards. Yet booking a hotel room often feels impossible without one. The good news? Hotels that don’t require a deposit do exist, and you have more options than you might think.

Why Credit Cards Matter at Hotel Check-In

Hotels demand credit card information for two primary reasons. First, they use it to secure cancellation fees if you back out of your reservation after the cancellation window closes. Second, they place a security hold to protect against room damage, theft, or minibar charges you might incur during your stay.

However, this requirement doesn’t mean you’re completely out of options. Many hotels accept debit cards, prepaid cards, or cash as alternatives—they just need assurance that payment will be available when you check out. Understanding this distinction is key to finding hotels that don’t require a deposit in the traditional credit card sense.

Major Hotel Chains That Accept Alternatives to Credit Cards

Several major hotel chains offer flexibility that many travelers don’t realize exists. Here’s what you need to know:

Best Western welcomes phone reservations without a credit card requirement. Call 800-564-2515 to book. Policies vary by property, but many accept debit cards or alternate payment methods at check-in.

Hilton allows you to provide a debit card number as your booking guarantee when reserving directly through their website. Payment can be made via debit or credit, giving you flexibility at checkout.

Marriott permits debit card usage instead of credit at check-in. Your card-issuing bank will place a hold for your room, taxes, resort fees, and incidentals—but it’s not an actual charge. This hold typically releases within five business days after checkout.

Motel 6 accepts debit and bank cards alongside credit cards at many (though not all) properties. Some locations even take cash or traveler’s checks. Note: Reservations requiring 10+ rooms still need credit card or check guarantees.

By contrast, chains like Hyatt, Radisson, and Wyndham typically enforce strict credit card-only policies for online reservations. If these chains are your preference, calling the property directly might yield exceptions.

Beyond Traditional Hotels: Finding Your Best Options

If major chains feel restrictive, consider three alternatives that often sidestep credit card requirements entirely.

Independent and small properties operate with less bureaucratic rigidity. A locally-owned motel or bed-and-breakfast is frequently willing to negotiate if you call ahead and explain your situation. Managers have discretion that large chains lack.

Vacation rentals represent your most credit-card-free option. Airbnb accepts Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal across most countries. While Airbnb prohibits hosts from charging security deposits, they do inform guests upfront that their payment method might be charged for damage. If disputes arise, Airbnb’s Resolution Center mediates. (Important: cash payments violate Airbnb’s terms, so don’t attempt this.)

Third-party booking platforms like Expedia and Orbitz might allow you to reserve a room that the hotel’s own website won’t let you book without credit card. These agencies often accept debit cards, PayPal, and services like Affirm—which lets you make partial payments via debit card, checking account, or mailed check. Just weigh the tradeoffs: third-party bookings sometimes cost more and carry worse cancellation policies.

Smart Booking Strategies for Travelers Without Credit Cards

Start early. Call your hotel of choice at least one week before arrival—not the day before—to discuss your situation. A receptive manager who knows your details in advance is far more likely to work with you than one surprised at check-in.

Booking over the phone bypasses automated systems. Even when a hotel’s website demands credit card details, a sympathetic property manager may provide a workaround. Humans offer flexibility that algorithms don’t.

Provide written confirmation. After your phone conversation, request email confirmation of your alternate payment arrangement. This creates a paper trail and reduces misunderstandings upon arrival.

At Check-In: How to Prove You Can Pay Without Plastic

You’ve booked your room without a credit card, but arriving at check-in only to be turned away is a real risk. Prepare yourself with concrete alternatives.

Cash security deposit is straightforward but logistically challenging. Hotels sometimes accept $200–$500 (or more at high-end properties) paid upfront, returned upon checkout. The advantage? Cash releases immediately after you leave. The disadvantage? Carrying that much cash creates security concerns, and most people don’t travel with several hundred dollars in their pocket.

Debit card holds work similarly to credit card holds. However, prepaid debit cards often have daily or monthly spending limits. If the security deposit exceeds your limit, you’ll trigger a decline. Call your card issuer beforehand to understand your ceiling and request a temporary increase if needed.

Multiple payment confirmations demonstrate your seriousness. Bring written proof of your prior phone conversation, a debit card, a backup payment method (cash, gift card, or PayPal receipt if applicable), and contact information for your bank if the hotel has questions.

What If Your Preferred Hotel Still Refuses?

Some properties will decline to check you in without a credit card, regardless of your preparations. In that case, you have leverage: take your business elsewhere.

Thousands of independent properties, small chains, and vacation rentals exist specifically for travelers like you. Your willingness to stay somewhere else sends a message to rigid policies. And frankly, hotels that don’t require a deposit often deliver better customer service because they trust their guests rather than treating them as default risks.

The core principle is simple: Call ahead, ask directly, and be prepared with alternatives. Most hotels—even major chains—have more flexibility than their fine print suggests. Managers appreciate advance notice and straightforward communication, and they’re often empowered to make exceptions. Your credit card status doesn’t determine your ability to travel or stay comfortable while doing so.