ISO Parking or Hotels with no CC policy

[efil]

Hi All,

Need the help of fellow Terbites. I'm in search of secluded parking lots (with shade in this heat) or suggestions regarding hotels that don't require a credit card. I need to meet someone in the Thornhill/Richmond Hill area but can't figure out how to meet up without leaving a paper trail (or electronic).

Thanks in advance.... and mods, if this isn't allowed, please delete. I wasn't sure and I couldn't find anything in my search here on the site.

 

[GeeBee]

There are some hotels that take cash (even respectable ones lol) but you may have to call the property directly or even visit to ask. Some Comfort/Clarion properties in my area do. Another option is something like the Canada Post prepaid Mastercard. You can get with out your SO knowing, (I assume that is your reason for needing secrecy) and load it with cash. Make sure there is enough on it to cover the hotel rate and the damage deposit that will be placed as a pre-auth on the card by the hotel.

 

[efil]

There are some hotels that take cash (even respectable ones lol) but you may have to call the property directly or even visit to ask. Some Comfort/Clarion properties in my area do. Another option is something like the Canada Post prepaid Mastercard. You can get with out your SO knowing, (I assume that is your reason for needing secrecy) and load it with cash. Make sure there is enough on it to cover the hotel rate and the damage deposit that will be placed as a pre-auth on the card by the hotel.

I'll look into this, but I heard that some places won't take prepaid cards. But definitely worth investigating. Much appreciated!

 

[xix]

Any country in Asia will take US.
Ask hotel if they accept prepaid cards then add 500.00 and do as suggested above.

 

[GeeBee]

I'll look into this, but I heard that some places won't take prepaid cards. But definitely worth investigating. Much appreciated!

Most won't take the regular prepaid cards that you see sold with gift cards (vanilla Mastercard etc...) at 7-11 etc... because a pre-auth isn't possible and most only have a $200 balance at most. The Canada post one is different in that it acts like a regular credit card and the merchant can do a pre-auth as long as the balance is sufficient. I don't know what the max is that you can load but it's very high and having a $1000 plus is no problem.

Worth exploring, and hopefully more comfortable than the back seat of the car in the hot summer. Good luck.

 

[efil]

Just an update for those that may be interested, the prepaid cards don't work

So, I'm back to trying to figure out how to pay for a room with cash. Can't even risk using a credit card just for them to hold until I check out.

I had a friend I was traveling with show up as a charge, even though it wasn't an actual charge. It went away by morning, but for it to show up even temporarily is too risky for me.

 

[massman]

Maybe ask them if it is ok to take the card # but not run it? Or offer to place a cash deposit equal to the hold they put on the card.

 

[Butler1000]

Maybe ask them if it is ok to take the card # but not run it? Or offer to place a cash deposit equal to the hold they put on the card.

Nope. Having worked in hotels they will run the card. As policy.

 

[Butler1000]

Just an update for those that may be interested, the prepaid cards don't work

So, I'm back to trying to figure out how to pay for a room with cash. Can't even risk using a credit card just for them to hold until I check out.

I had a friend I was traveling with show up as a charge, even though it wasn't an actual charge. It went away by morning, but for it to show up even temporarily is too risky for me.

Only cheap crappy assed motels do this. I used to do this in Niagara off season all the time. The room never went on the books either I imagine.

You will not get a decent place without a CC. The only exception was a full prepayment with deposit by debit. They want to be able to have a traceable payment in case of other problems. No ID means nefarious activity. And while you know its for this it could just as easily be a drug deal, or other more serious crime.

I would suggest for long term solution a PO box and seperate credit card, especially if this is an ongoing thing.

 

[massman]

Nope. Having worked in hotels they will run the card. As policy.

Good to know.

 

[massman]

Good to know. Though I recall in other threads on here some hotels have accepted a cash deposit equal to the hold they’d put on the card. There are some people (tho fewer and fewer) who don’t have credit cards.