Hotel holding card details

new2u

Hi I hope I've put this in the correct place, we are going on a couple of holidays abroad this year and will be booking package holidays paid before we go, but a couple of the hotels state they will will require card details on arrival, I understand why they do but we don't own a credit card only a debit card to our main account which obviously I'm reluctant to use , we have a travel card from hays travel but was told this cannot be used for hotels to place on hold . What's the best way around this please .thank you

flaneurs_lobster

Getting a credit card would be the easiest solution.

Is there a particular reason why this isn't an option for you?

NoodleDoodleMan

A Hays Travel card is essentially a prepaid debit card so doesn't meet the credit card requirements.

I doubt there is an easy way around this - perhaps your package holiday provider could advise on hotels that don't require a credit card registered.

We regularly use a RUI hotel in Spain and they have never asked for such - might be a standard policy if it's part of a group chain of hotels ?

new2u

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82020569#Comment_82020569

We have just never had one , I'm not even sure how to get one or what I would look for

Brie

Have a look at the MSE bit on cards for what's available. You might want to look for something that has a "no foreign transaction fee" so you are not too restricted when you are holidaying out of the UK.

Borrowing - Cards & Loans | MoneySavingExpert

new2u

Thank you I will do

elsien

I can't see the halifax clarity credit card on that best buy list (although is is showing on the fee free list), which has always been fine for me abroad and has no transaction fees.

new2u

Thank you .

imtiazahmad

Most hotels will accept a debit card for the security hold, but just be aware that the amount they ring-fence won't be available to spend until it's released. It might be worth contacting the hotels directly before you travel to ask exactly what they require and how much the hold is. If you're worried about using your main account, some people use a separate bank account with a small balance just for travel expenses.

new2u

Thank you a separate account might be the way for us .

elsien

Always good to have more than one means of payment when you’re abroad, ideally one on MasterCard and one on Visa.

I also have a Starling account ( not a current account) which I can use to pay either via an app on my phone or with a physical card which you can also use to pay or to get money out of cashpoints abroad if needed it. Again, free free although local cash points may charge their own fee - no way round that one.

There are other similar ones, monzo for example, and these are debit cards rather than credit cards. Don’t ever use a credit card to get money out of the cashpoint, it costs a fortune.