Hey all,

I am an independent provider and will be in NY soon. I was wondering whether Hotels in Manhattan normally accept cash? Also, is it okay to pay in cash or may it raise suspicion?

I often provide the hotel with my debit card when I check in and at the check out ask to settle my bill in cash, saying that i would rather not have my balance depleted by security charge and room charge.

Lina

Hi Sophie,

I travel a good bit on business throughout US, and often to NYC. I have a very good friend in the hotel biz and he tells me when anyone pays cash it raises a red flag.......but especially if it's a beautiful, young and unaccompanied woman (if this was your plan).

Always better to pay with plastic of some sort. No reason to spook the horses, if you can avoid it.

I always use CC when I travel (but I never do outcalls).  This isn't authoritative, but ...

I always thought most non-dive hotels require a CC as a form of security. When you check out, you can pay cash and they will refund / cancel any amount encumbered on your CC. But they still need the CC in case anything happens to the room (drunken TV smashing bed breaking orgy).  

There are several short stay hotels in NYC that are on a cash basis but they are more dive-y.

they want to make sure to have a way to bill you for incidentals, damages, or a missing bathrobe.

You can settle in cash upon check out, but then you don't get the airline miles!

Agreed 100%.  Pay with a credit card.  Otherwise, the hotels will definitely know what's up.

But all reputable hotels will require that you have a credit/debit card on file to checkin, so plastic will be required even if you're paying in cash.

Dear all,

Thank you so much for your input!

Being from Europe, I am unfortunately not eligible for my own credit card.

Good point about a debit card, I wasn’t sure it is accepted in hotels as well.

Thank you!

Can you share a little more with us?  (Web page, info, etc.)  Do you look like a young student traveler, a Bohemian artist, ... or a blue blooded royal with an entourage but no CC?

I am not in the hotel industry, but I know from my friends that CC is less common in Europe and especially among the younger set. If the hotels get many youthful EUROPEAN travelers dropping cash on them all the time, that's easier for you to fit in as just another Euro girl.

A debit card is convenient but does not carry the same weight as a CC. I do not know the hotel industry, but they might scan your debit card when you register and seek an amount much larger the anticipated final amount as protection against damages.  Once you check out, they will return the unused amount to the account.  In the meantime, you go shopping thinking you have a $500 balance but there is only $200 available.

HAVE A GOOD TIME! Bon voyage!

I pay in dinero majority the time, as some said i also have some regs in hotel business and its not the money that raised the flag its your appearance, approach, and demeanor when paying. If you look like a hooker, they're going to judge you like a hooker, if you pay in cash, always pay a little more over so it doesn't look like you just 'have enough'

If paying in cash, only use big bills btw, If your stay is longer then 5 days... i use prepaid cards.. never do i use my personal accounts.

Thank you!

Thank you for your interest! I will post my web page as soon as it is ready. I am a student. Seems I found a solution, though - a prepaid CC. Going to check today if I can get one.  

Looking forward to coming to NY!

Best,
S.