Pay hotel in cash?

[bunnysmom]

Hi ladies! I know you'll be able to help with this, as you're all very wise

In February I'll be travelling to Chicago from Buenos Aires, where I live. As I don't have enough limit on my credit card to cover the entire hotel stay, I'd like to pay in cash. Will I have any problems doing this? How is the procedure?
To be clear, I do have a valid CC, which I used for booking the room, but as the available limit can't cover the total amount of the stay, I'm scared I might have problems at check in when they try to charge said card.

Thanks in advance!

[Deleted]

Can you pay extra on the card and have an overage?

[Deleted]

I would call your cc company and ask them to raise your limit.

You should be able to pay in cash at check out.

[auberge]

I wouldn't pay cash. I would call your cc company and inform them of your trip and ask for a increase.

[Deleted]

This entirely depends on the hotel. I've never stayed at a nicer hotel that didn't require a hold on some type of card. I've used debit cards at nicer hotels and let them put a hold on that. Low budget hotels will usually allow you to pay cash or pay with a debit.

[pamela]

Typically you'll pay cash up front for your scheduled stay and they will put a hold on your card for incidentals. Call the hotel to verify that amount as it can vary widely.

[nonsenseabound]

If you have the cash, why not just pay down the cc?

[bunnysmom]

Thank you for your quick replies!

For the ones that have mentioned, I can't raise the limit, due to Argentina's government regulations. Not only we can't legally change argentine pesos to dollars (it exists a black market, like in Venezuela) but all purchases made in foreign countries have a 15% tax, so it's almost impossible to have a CC limit that can cover us dollar expenses converted to argentine pesos (1 us dollar=5 pesos) plus said tax. Also, the government doesn't allow to increase credit card limits.

[Deleted]

I'd ask for a credit limit increase as well. Or what about using a debit card? As long as the card has a Visa or Mastercard logo, there should be no issue with taking it, and you can put the cash in your bank account.

I'd be nervous taking an international trip with more cash than what my CC limit is. Unless your limit is very low, that's a lot of cash to be carrying around. I'd be so nervous that I'd lose it or it would get stolen.

What about a prepaid credit card? When I traveled to Brazil I got one from AAA and could load whatever dollar amount I needed into it. It too had a Visa logo. This was several years ago so IDK if they still do it, but if they don't I bet someone does. Not sure what you have access to from where you live, though.

[bunnysmom]

Jan 8, 2013 21:47:26 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

I'd ask for a credit limit increase as well. Or what about using a debit card? As long as the card has a Visa or Mastercard logo, there should be no issue with taking it, and you can put the cash in your bank account.

I'd be nervous taking an international trip with more cash than what my CC limit is. Unless your limit is very low, that's a lot of cash to be carrying around. I'd be so nervous that I'd lose it or it would get stolen.

What about a prepaid credit card? When I traveled to Brazil I got one from AAA and could load whatever dollar amount I needed into it. It too had a Visa logo. This was several years ago so IDK if they still do it, but if they don't I bet someone does. Not sure what you have access to from where you live, though.

Yes, I know, and I share your worries, but unfortunately I don't have another option than carry a lot of cash. By law I can't raise the limit and due to taxes and the currency rate the limit in us dollars that I have is extremely low.

Your idea of a prepaid card is great but I can only do that when I'm in the US, because here in Argentina we don't have access to that.

[rikki]

Do you have a debit card?

[M]

As far as your credit card...could you pay extra on it to make the balance negative so you have more that you can charge on it? Or is that where you're saying they will charge your 15% tax for making a purchase in the US?

[Deleted]

Jan 8, 2013 21:57:27 GMT -5 bunnysmom said:

Jan 8, 2013 21:47:26 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

I'd ask for a credit limit increase as well. Or what about using a debit card? As long as the card has a Visa or Mastercard logo, there should be no issue with taking it, and you can put the cash in your bank account.

I'd be nervous taking an international trip with more cash than what my CC limit is. Unless your limit is very low, that's a lot of cash to be carrying around. I'd be so nervous that I'd lose it or it would get stolen.

What about a prepaid credit card? When I traveled to Brazil I got one from AAA and could load whatever dollar amount I needed into it. It too had a Visa logo. This was several years ago so IDK if they still do it, but if they don't I bet someone does. Not sure what you have access to from where you live, though.

Yes, I know, and I share your worries, but unfortunately I don't have another option than carry a lot of cash. By law I can't raise the limit and due to taxes and the currency rate the limit in us dollars that I have is extremely low.

Your idea of a prepaid card is great but I can only do that when I'm in the US, because here in Argentina we don't have access to that.

Are you a US citizen or do you have a residence/family residence here?

The particular card I used when I was in Brazil was reloadable, I just had to go online and transfer money. Have you looked into doing something like that? AAA might not work but maybe there is another company.ETA - particularly if you can use a US address to set it up. You should be able to do it online.

If not, I guess I'd just call the hotel and be really careful. I think this is kind of an odd situation, I can't imagine everyone coming from Argentina to the US arrives with stacks of cash, right? There has to be some other way of doing things?

[bunnysmom]

Jan 8, 2013 21:58:28 GMT -5 rikki said:

Do you have a debit card?

Yes I do, and that might be an option, but the hotel will accept it? If they do, do I have to deposit in my account the amount of the stay only or also some extra money to cover an eventual secure deposit?

[bunnysmom]

M6, I think that the cash limit is $10000 for foreigners entering the US without having to declare it.

I don't think that the scenario you're describing is possible, but I'll have to check with the bank. The 15% tax is for all purchases in foreign currency and I was trying to avoid that if possible.

[Deleted]

Jan 8, 2013 22:02:29 GMT -5 bunnysmom said:

Jan 8, 2013 21:58:28 GMT -5 rikki said:

Do you have a debit card?

Yes I do, and that might be an option, but the hotel will accept it? If they do, do I have to deposit in my account the amount of the stay only or also some extra money to cover an eventual secure deposit?

Probably extra money.

[rikki]

Jan 8, 2013 22:02:29 GMT -5 bunnysmom said:

Jan 8, 2013 21:58:28 GMT -5 rikki said:

Do you have a debit card?

Yes I do, and that might be an option, but the hotel will accept it? If they do, do I have to deposit in my account the amount of the stay only or also some extra money to cover an eventual secure deposit?

They'll definitely accept it. They'll probably hold a bit more and then release it after you check out. I bet if you called the hotel they would tell you how much extra they hold. I think using debit is a much safer choice than cash.

PS: You'll love Chicago. Such a great city!

[M]

Hmm.... I'm not sure how else to avoid paying the 15% tax without bringing cash with you...it's just scary carrying around that much cash. Even with a debit card, it would show up in your bank account. I don't see why a hotel wouldn't accept cash payment if you paid for it when you arrive. They'll probably put a small hold on your CC just for incidentals.

[aehelpme]

I have worked at a Ritz-Carlton and a lower-class hotel. Both of them allowed you to pay in cash. For incidentals though, you either had to put a card on file (they would charge 15% of your total stay and return it within 10 business days after checkout) or put a cash deposit down (Ritz was $150, lower-class hotel was $50). But you could always pay for the stay with cash and then put a card down for incidentals or put a cash deposit down for incidentals.

[vanillacourage]

I have stayed at hotels that ran a $500 hold on the credit card when you checked in. Not having a CC was not an option.

[bunnysmom]

Jan 8, 2013 22:00:38 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

Jan 8, 2013 21:57:27 GMT -5 bunnysmom said:

Yes, I know, and I share your worries, but unfortunately I don't have another option than carry a lot of cash. By law I can't raise the limit and due to taxes and the currency rate the limit in us dollars that I have is extremely low.

Your idea of a prepaid card is great but I can only do that when I'm in the US, because here in Argentina we don't have access to that.

Are you a US citizen or do you have a residence/family residence here?

The particular card I used when I was in Brazil was reloadable, I just had to go online and transfer money. Have you looked into doing something like that? AAA might not work but maybe there is another company.ETA - particularly if you can use a US address to set it up. You should be able to do it online.

If not, I guess I'd just call the hotel and be really careful. I think this is kind of an odd situation, I can't imagine everyone coming from Argentina to the US arrives with stacks of cash, right? There has to be some other way of doing things?

No, I'm not a citizen and I don't have a US address. Here I can't access to a prepaid card but I could do it once I arrive at the US.

I have already contacted the hotel and I'm waiting for a reply.

I really don't know what to say to you about the other tourists coming from Argentina. The thing is that if you want to avoid extra taxes and an inspection from the local taxes agency (if you use a CC, for example, they have the right to open your luggage and compare your purchases on the CC with the objects that you're carrying) the only option is to carry cash. Also, I don't know anyone here that has a CC with enough limit to cover the amount of the trip in dollars converted to argentine pesos and the applicable taxes.

[bunnysmom]

Jan 8, 2013 22:11:37 GMT -5 rikki said:

Jan 8, 2013 22:02:29 GMT -5 bunnysmom said:

Yes I do, and that might be an option, but the hotel will accept it? If they do, do I have to deposit in my account the amount of the stay only or also some extra money to cover an eventual secure deposit?

They'll definitely accept it. They'll probably hold a bit more and then release it after you check out. I bet if you called the hotel they would tell you how much extra they hold. I think using debit is a much safer choice than cash.

PS: You'll love Chicago. Such a great city!

Thank you for the suggestion! I'll call the hotel and ask how much will they hold.

I'm sure I'll love Chicago. I've been planning this trip for so long and I can't believe that in only a few weeks I'll be there!

[bunnysmom]

Jan 8, 2013 22:12:01 GMT -5 M said:

Hmm.... I'm not sure how else to avoid paying the 15% tax without bringing cash with you...it's just scary carrying around that much cash. Even with a debit card, it would show up in your bank account. I don't see why a hotel wouldn't accept cash payment if you paid for it when you arrive. They'll probably put a small hold on your CC just for incidentals.

This is the scenario I'm hoping. I have no problem in using my credit card for a hold for incidentals but I don't want them to charge the entire stay because I don't have enough limit.
As with the issue of carrying cash, I think I don't have another option and I think that it's a risk I may have to face unfortunately.

[bunnysmom]

Jan 8, 2013 22:12:53 GMT -5 aehelpme said:

I have worked at a Ritz-Carlton and a lower-class hotel. Both of them allowed you to pay in cash. For incidentals though, you either had to put a card on file (they would charge 15% of your total stay and return it within 10 business days after checkout) or put a cash deposit down (Ritz was $150, lower-class hotel was $50). But you could always pay for the stay with cash and then put a card down for incidentals or put a cash deposit down for incidentals.

This is very helpful and it gives me a lot of peace of mind. Thank you!
This scenario is what I was expecting (and hoping) and what I encountered other times in the US, but I just wanted some reassurance that it was possible to do this.

[bunnysmom]

Jan 8, 2013 21:35:13 GMT -5 @otterama said:

Can you pay extra on the card and have an overage?

Unfortunately this is not longer allowed by the government, even if you're travelling.

[bunnysmom]

I just wanted to update you by telling the hotel has already emailed me (Btw, I'm very impressed about this as the customer care has contacted me just two hours after I've written them) and yes it's possible to pay in cash. I have to pay for my entire stay at the moment of check in, provide an ID and pay $40 per day in cash deposit. I'm so relieved by this as I've been dreaming about this trip for so long and I was having a lot of anxiety thinking something could go wrong.

Thank you very much, I really appreciate it, you ladies are truly the best!

[rikki]

That's great news! I'm really happy to hear you have one less thing to worry about.

[bunnysmom]

Thank you Rikki! That's very nice of you! But I'm afraid I won't stop worrying as I was born a worrier, lol

[rikki]

I lived in Chicago for many years and visit often. Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

[bunnysmom]

I'll take the offer then : is the city safe? and the train? I know in February it's really cold, but will I be able to do sightseeing and walk a lot? do I need special shoes/clothes for the cold weather? is magnificent mile a good location for a tourist (I'm staying at the Residence inn there)? any other suggestions/recommendations?
Thank you!