Prepaid credit cards in hotels

[POSTIE9]

We like to pay as we go along and never bothered with a credit card. Now thinking of visiting Barbados and US and have been told that we will require a credit card when checking in at hotels. Thought of getting one of the Prepaid credit/debit cards on offer these days and wondered if any members had ever used one of these cards at hotels and were they accepted.

[boxtops]

Postie, they are cash cards and I don't think they are accepted everywhere, you would need to look at the Ts & Cs on the back of the cards. Some companies are wary of taking them because they have no way of knowing how much money you have loaded onto the card (it's a cash card not a debit or credit card). Why don't you apply for a good credit card instead, and keep that just for your holidays, paying it off when you get home? - I understand the US operates very largely on credit rather than in cash. I have never been to the US but we have looked into cash cards for our own use here in the UK. They charge you for drawing out your money and the ones I've seen charge you for topping up your account as well - not necessarily the best option.

[bednobs]

haven't had any personal experience but i think it's unlikely a hotel will accept a pre-paid credit card. Even if you had (for example £2000 on it when you checked in, nothing to stop you spending that 2k then doing a bunk

[ABerrant]

Hotels, if they accept prepaid cards, may put a "hold" on the amount of your estimated bill, making that amount unavailable for other purchases. When you check out, that hold may take a few days to be removed.

Here is a general overview on how prepaid cards operate...
http://usa.visa.com/p...prepaid_card_faq.html

[munchie63]

I don't think they'd take the prepaid cards, but that wouldn't be you're best option anyway.
you have to leave a credit card print with most hotels and cruise ships, incase you run up a bill and disappear.
If you took the preloaded card option you'd have to load it up with your own cahs first, just incase you later used room service etc. Then, if you didn't, you'd pay charges when you withdrew the cash you put on.

the best thing to do is get a 'commission-free overseas' credit card. the post office have one, nationwide's I believe is still free outside the EU, and I think Santander have one.
That way, you'd only have to settle up your CC bill at the end of the month if you actually used it.
You need to be careful to pay the balance off each month though.
with all the delays etc over the ash cloud and BA strikes, having a card to fall back on is a really good idea.

[POSTIE9]

Thank you all for your advice and information which has been a great help to us deciding what is our best option.