I recently got a gophone to separate out my hobby calls from my "real" phone and any chance of getting busted by my SO. I usually go for incall as well to prevent the paper trail of hotel reservations. However, on occassion an outcall experience may be warranted and I almost got busted a few months back when the stupid hotel still charged my credit card even though I paid with cash and then sent me a refund check in the mail that my SO intercepted. I played dumb and chucked in the trash not even opening saying it was probably junk mail (I fished it out later). I see the local malls by me, Simon Malls, have Visa debit cards for sale and was contemplating the possibility of making a reservation and payment for a hotel discretely with one of those. Has anyone had any success in using one for this purpose?
I haven't tried this, but be aware that hotels will often put a credit hold for more than the nightly rate of the room - to cover the phone, mini-bar, etc. So you'd need a pretty healthy prepaid card.
While we on the subject, has anyone used a refillable card for hobbying? Can you use one without creating a paper trail? They ask for you home address, SSN, etc. Is there anyway to keep the SO from finding out?
which the prepaid gift cards don't have. My only suggestion is to open an account (non-interest bearing to avoid tax forms) in a national type chain bank (Bank of America) using a PO box as a mailing address for statements. Get a Debit / ATM Visa card and park enough in the account to cover a sec. deposit swipe at the hotel. This would also give you a way to pay for TER or other sites you want kept secret.
If discovered by the SO, just say that you opened it as an emergency card to carry and to have to get gifts for her without her knowing the cost or ruining the surprise. (just buy her a gift with it one time to show her proof if needed). It's a lot of hassle to go through, but much less than a divorce would be.
Best bet would be to stick to incalls.
Good luck
Get a card and have electronic only invoices.
A hotel will only accept a credit card that is issued in your name.
You can make a reservation with a credit card and pay cash for the room. No charges will appear on your bill. I advise you NOT using a debit card for this as hotels will often put a hold on the card that will not disappear for a day or two even if you pay cash for the room.
Alternately, you can get a card that is in your name only and either receive your statements electronically or open a PO box.
Because if you get a card, then it will appear on your credit report, and there will be reports about the levels of usage, etc.
Cash is king. I never leave a paper trail anywhere I go. Pay cash for everything, even gasoline if you are somewhere you are not supposed to be. It is not worth the few extra airlines miles to try and explain things..
I have a CC that I use primarily for business purchases, and have the statements mailed to my office. On the rare occasion I have to get a hotel, I guarantee the room with the business card and pay cash.