Hello.  I am in the process of setting up my first session with a provider.  It's up to me to get and pay for a room since she wants a neutral location for the first time.  The only times I've used a hotel, they've required a credit card number to book the room.  At this point I'm screwed.  Sure I've got credit cards, but I may as well file for divorce if I use one.  I'm not really sure how to go about getting a room without leaving a trace.  The provider I'm seeing says that her clients always take care of the room.  Do hotels accept cash anymore?  Hell, I don't even want to use my real name.

I guess it depends on where you are from and what hotel you are useing but not many will refuse cash.  they might ask that you use your card to book the room but when you get there just pay in cash.  I have don this several times (whether I am hobbying or not) and never had a hotel tell me, No thanks we don't take cash.... good luck

Usually, you just book the room to hold it and pay cash up front.  If you are just driving up to register, pay in cash, the CC is used to cover any damages that may come up, or missing items from the room... nothing missing etc. the card is not used and no record.

The above answers are correct. The hotel will hold the reservation with your CC but will not charge anything to the card...unless of course you don't show up. DO NOT use a debit card for this purpose.  Most hotels will put a hold on the card for a certain amount until you check-out. This can not only be an inconvenience but it will also raise suspicion with your wife if she sees an unreconciled transaction on the card.

Get a PO Box and another cc and have the statements mailed to that PO Box.

Paying the bill is a bit problematic unless you have a seperate checking account set up that also goes to that same PO Box.  You could also pay the cc bill with money orders and that type of thing.

I did basically this for about ten years.  I eventually got caught and divorced, but it wasn't as a result of this set up.

with a PO Box for a mailing address

Applications available at CVS, Radio Shack, etc


-- Modified on 3/10/2007 6:54:38 AM

I do the same thing, hobby credit card. THe problem is that the hotel chains send you records to credit card companies. The credit card companies send you credit card to you regular home address with your hotel points disclosed, lol. I called one of the companies they stop sending stuff to my home address then 6 months later the stuff keeps on coming back.

I've had prepaid cards in the past, and am glad to see they are much more flexible than than they once were.  Three years ago, the terms and conditions of a prepaid care prohibited you using to reserve a hotel room or rental car.  Looking at your link, this appears to have changed.

However, you have to think about how does one purchase, and re-charge these cards.  It's usually done with a credit/debit card, which means a paper trail.

Green Dot lets you pay and reload with cash at thousands of locations nationwide, including Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, Eckerd, Radio Shack, The Pantry and others.

...that most credit cards with online access will show "pending charges".  Some will put hotel bookings there.  Hate for ya to get screwed that way.

Looks like things have changed since I moved to the UK.  Thanks for the info.

but going back to your original question, "can it be done without a trace?"

You say that you don't want to use your real name.  Sorry, but that is not an option.  

When you check in at a hotel, you will likely be asked to provide ID.  Did you drive to the hotel and park in their lot, you'll likely be asked to provide the make, model, year plate number of your car.

It's not that great a risk!!!

I think I'll try the pre-paid CC for booking.  I really wouldn't have to put more than the minimum on the PPCC since I'll be paying in cash.  As to finding a provider that pays for her own incalls, it's apparently difficult for a newbie to find a decent provider to start with, so I'll go thru this hassle if I have to.  She's well reviewed.  After the first meeting the location is much more flexible too.  Thanks again.