I travel a lot for work and family stuff. Sometimes I pay cash. Not because I’m hiding anything—sometimes I just like a clean budget. Cash in, room out. Simple. Well, most of the time.
Here’s what actually happened when I tried to pay cash at real hotels. I’m sharing the exact places, what they asked for, and how it felt at the desk. Policies change, so call first. But these were my stays.
For an expanded log of even more cash check-ins (the good, the bad, the eyebrow-raising), skim through my notebook entry Hotels That Accept Cash: My Real Stays, What Worked, What Didn’t.
The quick answer, no fluff
Yes, many hotels still take cash. But most want a deposit, a photo ID, and maybe your car plate. Some brands want a card on file too. Walk-ins are easier than third-party bookings. Be ready for a bigger hold and a slower checkout.
If you prefer to scout cash-friendly spots before you roll in, check Akkeron Hotels for a directory of properties that clearly spell out their pay-in-cash policies.
Thinking about a breezy coastal pit stop? My side-by-side breakdown of Rockaway Beach, Oregon hotels spells out which little seaside inns keep their doors (and cash drawers) wide open.
Where I paid cash, no drama
Motel 6 – Amarillo, TX (I-40 West)
I rolled in late with road-trip hair and a crumpled hoodie. The clerk counted my bills under bright lights. No eye roll. No “why cash?” look.
- What they took: Cash for room + $50 cash deposit
- ID: Yes, they scanned my driver’s license
- Refund: Got my $50 back at checkout after a room check (took about 5 minutes)
- Vibe: Basic room, clean floors, hot shower. Heard a truck or two at night. That’s I-40 for you.
Red Roof Inn – Columbus, OH (Downtown-ish)
I was moving a kid into college. Pet-friendly sign on the door and coffee smell hanging in the lobby.
- What they took: Cash for room + $100 deposit
- ID: Yes, plus they asked for my plate number
- Refund: Full cash back in the morning after housekeeping cleared it
- Vibe: Quiet hall, firm bed, strong AC. Front desk was kind. I liked them.
Super 8 by Wyndham – Sioux Falls, SD (near I-29)
Walked in around dinner. The night auditor was a straight shooter with a dry joke that landed.
- What they took: Cash for room + $50 deposit
- ID: Yes
- Refund: Gave it back right after they checked the room
- Vibe: Breakfast was simple. Waffles, cereal, orange drink. Not fancy. Did the job.
Econo Lodge – Jacksonville, FL (Southside)
Hot, sticky air outside; cold lobby inside. Felt like stepping into a soda can.
- What they took: Cash for room + $100 deposit
- ID: Yes, and they wrote down my phone number
- Refund: Cash back at checkout—front desk checked the room first
- Vibe: Room smelled fine. New linens. There was some wear on the door, but I felt safe.
Extended Stay America – Denver, CO (Aurora South)
I stayed a few nights for work. It was more “home base” than “hotel night.”
- What they took: Cash for full stay + $100 deposit (weekly rate; they itemized my folio)
- ID: Yes; they also asked for a second way to reach me
- Refund: Cash back at the end of the week after a quick walkthrough
- Vibe: Kitchenette saved me money. Fridge was loud. Staff knew regulars by name, which I liked.
Places that pushed back (but still worked out)
Courtyard by Marriott – Phoenix Airport, AZ
I tried to pay cash at check-in. No go. They wanted a card for the hold.
- What they took: Card on file for deposit; I paid the room in cash at checkout
- Tip: If you want a mid-scale chain like this, plan to show a card. You can still hand them cash at the end.
Best Western Plus – Tulsa, OK (Woodland Hills)
This one was a half-yes.
- What they took: Card required for deposit; room balance could be paid in cash later
- Note: They explained it was for incidentals. I get it. But I wish the website had said it louder.
What I learned the hard way
- Call before you go. Ask three things: “Do you take cash at check-in?” “How much is the deposit?” “Is a card still required?”
- Walk in early. Walk-ins work better with cash. Late nights make managers twitchy.
- Bring ID. Some places want a second ID or your car plate.
- Don’t use third-party sites when paying cash. The math gets weird with deposits and refunds.
- Keep your receipt. Every single time.
- Be patient at checkout. They often want a room check before handing back your bills.
- No smoking means no smoking. If the room smells like smoke, say something at check-in. Or your deposit might vanish.
Little hassles no one mentions
- Local address rules: A few hotels don’t rent to locals who pay cash. I ran into this once in Ohio. It felt odd, but it’s their policy.
- Weekend deposits: I’ve seen deposits go higher on Fridays.
- Prepaid debit cards: Some desks treat them like cash. Some treat them like a problem. Ask first.
- Housekeeping timing: If you check out before housekeeping starts, you may wait longer for your deposit.
For additional clarity on how different payment types play out at the front desk—including cash, credit, mobile wallets, and everything in between—this resource provides valuable information on what each method means for travelers and hotel staff alike.
Who should pay cash, honestly?
- Road trippers who like a hard budget
- Folks between cards or waiting on a bank hold to clear
- Contractors on short jobs—lots of these hotels know the drill
- Anyone who doesn’t want a surprise hold on their account
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Rolling farther west and planning a night in the Bay Area? Before you even pull onto I-80, skim the local classifieds guide at Bedpage Berkeley, which breaks down where to post, how to screen replies, and the etiquette locals expect—letting you step into the city with arrangements (and expectations) already sorted.
My short list, if you asked me tomorrow
- Easiest cash stays for me: Motel 6, Red Roof Inn, Super 8, Econo Lodge, Extended Stay America
- Tricky but doable: Best Western (varies), La Quinta (varies), some independents
- Card almost always needed at check-in: Marriott brands, Hilton brands, Hyatt—though you can often pay cash at checkout
Yet, even upscale spots surprise me now and then; during a city hop through Italy I walked into Hotel Savoy Roma with a wallet full of euros and they happily sorted the stay in cash with only a light deposit.
You know what? Cash is still welcome in more places than people think. Just ask first, carry a clean stack, and nod along when the clerk explains the deposit… again. I’ve stood in those lobbies with tired eyes and a pocket of receipts. When it works, it’s smooth. When it doesn’t, it’s still fixable.
Final note: policies change by location. Even within the same brand. So call ahead, stay kind, and keep your paperwork. It goes a long way.