September 6, 2026, 6:03 am | Read time: 3 minutes
The room is long paid for, the journey can begin–and then the hotel suddenly demands a credit card as security at check-in. This is surprising for many vacationers. However, the practice is widespread and generally allowed. What matters are transparency, the amount of possible reservations on the card, and the rules for their release.
Why Hotels Require a Credit Card
Even if the stay has already been paid for, many hotels request their guests’ credit card at check-in. This secures them against potential additional costs, such as for minibar use, unpaid services, or damage to the property.
According to lawyer Karolina Wojtal from the European Consumer Center, this approach is permissible as long as guests were informed before booking. Such notices are often found in the terms and conditions.
The German Hotel Association (IHA) generally recommends that hoteliers secure themselves by requiring a credit card. This can occur either during the booking process or at the latest at check-in, explains Deputy Managing Director Stefan Dinnendahl.
Also interesting: Important tips for using credit cards on vacation
Advance Reserved Amounts Must Be Transparent
In many hotels, not only is the credit card kept on file, but establishments also sometimes reserve a specific amount on the guest’s card account.
According to consumer advocates, clear requirements apply. “If an amount is blocked on the card, the hotel must clearly state how much and for how long,” says Wojtal. The amount should be based on potential costs. In a luxury accommodation, it could be higher than in a budget room, but it must always remain reasonable.
After the stay, the reservation should be lifted promptly. According to Wojtal, this should happen within 14 days at the latest.
Can a Hotel Refuse Accommodation?
The situation becomes more complicated if guests refuse to provide their credit card. Whether a hotel can deny them accommodation despite an existing booking is not legally clear.
The German Hotel Association refers to existing contracts and states: “If a guest refuses to provide necessary information, it depends on the individual case.”
According to Wojtal, a hotel might refuse accommodation if the credit card requirement is explicitly stated in the contract terms. However, if travelers are confronted with this demand only upon arrival without prior notice, it is questionable whether the hotel could refuse service.
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Different Rules Often Apply Abroad
Travelers should note that legal situations vary from country to country. This also applies to EU countries such as Spain, Italy, or Greece. According to Wojtal, there is no unified European legal framework for credit card practices in hotels. National law is decisive.
Carefully Check Statements After the Trip
Those who have left their credit card as security should carefully check their credit card statement after the vacation. If amounts are debited that do not seem understandable, Wojtal recommends first contacting the hotel directly and asking for an explanation.
If there is no response or the explanations are not convincing, affected individuals can contact the credit card provider or the issuing bank. In some cases, the payment can be reversed. However, according to Wojtal, there is no general legal obligation for providers to offer a so-called chargeback procedure.
The situation may be different for clearly unauthorized payments or debits exceeding the agreed amount. In these cases, according to the consumer advocate, the EU Payment Services Directive applies. The amount must be refunded immediately if the payment or its amount was not authorized by the traveler.
With material from dpa