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Post by cousins2 on Jul 13, 2005 14:18:40 GMT -5
Hello
I am 17 & I am leaving for Europe in 4 days I do not have a credit card, Will hostels let me pay in cash or am I going to have trouble everywhere I go? My first reservation is in Prague they said it would be fine. but I have not planed where else I am going to be staying. Should I be worried?
thanks any advices is wonderful
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Post by Eagle on Jul 13, 2005 15:20:00 GMT -5
cousins2, I always feel it's a good idea to have a credit card along for any "emergencies" that might occur, but you should be fine paying for Hostels with cash. Some might ask you to pre-pay if you're using cash though. I assume you're taking at least one ATM card along?
Have a great time!!!
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Post by Libby on Jul 13, 2005 17:34:44 GMT -5
The only hostel I paid cash in was London. But even there I still had to reserve it on my credit card.
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Post by MuvverRussia on Jul 13, 2005 17:53:52 GMT -5
Yeah, I think the main hostel sites (hostelworld etc) need a credit/debit card to pay the deposit. After that cash is ok though, although you'll probably be expected to pay in advance (I found this was the case in the majority of hostels though, even when paying by credit card).
Maybe the OP could get around it by getting a parent/friend with a credit card to prebook hostels for them online?
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Post by WillTravel on Jul 13, 2005 18:11:50 GMT -5
I have always made reservations with hostels directly, and never made a deposit. I give the credit card for a guarantee (usually), and then I pay in cash when I arrive. I have paid by credit card too, but often cash is requested. If you use the online booking services, you will have to use a credit card and probably pay a deposit.
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Post by Libby on Jul 13, 2005 19:58:09 GMT -5
I'm with everyone else. If you can, get a credit card. A met someone who learned the hard way while in London.
They arrived at the City of London hostel and were told all the beds were full. BUT, there are "internet" beds that are available only by booking through the net. These beds cannot be sold to anyone walking in or over the phone. They are guaranteed ONLY for Internet bookings. TIf you don't have a credit card, you can't book them. They even had two computers there in the waiting area so you could book your bed, credit your deposit and then pay at the desk in cash. I know it all sounds stupid and silly, but this is how they did it. Anyway..these guys didn't have a credit card so they couldn't book through the net for an available (AND CHEAPER!) bed.
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Post by stanncie on Jul 14, 2005 9:39:20 GMT -5
that's very strange libby. I found the complete opposite of what you are saying. I noticed that if you deal directly with the hostel you often end up paying less and there's more availability of beds. I guess it depends on the hostel  |
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Post by WillTravel on Jul 14, 2005 13:29:17 GMT -5
I think some hostels have a marketing agreement with a booking agency that they will sell X% of their allotment online, resulting in the situation Libby described. So it all depends on the hostel. I would get a credit card for emergency purposes, if nothing else.
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Post by LHR02 on Jul 14, 2005 13:30:50 GMT -5
Actually...it doesn't even have to be a credit card. A debit card with a Visa/MC logo will do just fine....at least for Americans.
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