A Complete Guide to Modern Hotel Payment Methods

Globetrotters, domestic travelers, and staycationers alike are after the best guest experience possible, no matter where they stay. From self-check-in kiosks to on-demand, self-service amenities and hiccup-free room service requests, the hospitality industry is undergoing a digital transformation. Modern hotels and other accommodations are adapting by offering more inclusive payment methods to their guests.

While traditional payment methods, such as debit and credit cards, remain essential for many guests, hotels are also offering mobile wallets and payment wearables to enhance the guest experience. While in demand, not every hotel guest has access to a debit card/bank account or a mobile device to pay their bill. Some guests prefer or even must use cash to pay for their stay.

So, what are travelers expecting when it comes to a hotel stay? Besides comfort and convenience, they want to pay their way.

In this article, we’ll cover the most common hotel payment methods, their benefits, and how you can accommodate every guest with Ready Credit’s inclusive cash-to-card solutions.

The Importance of Adopting Multiple Hotel Payment Options

Every hotel guest has their preferred method of payment. Although the hospitality industry (and the global economy) is embracing digital payment methods, millions of guests prefer or even need to pay with cash. Offering hotel guests a diverse range of inclusive payment methods is vital to meet this demand. Not to mention a simple way to accommodate cash-paying customers in such a competitive industry. Especially when cash-preferred customers can choose to stay elsewhere, where their cash is accepted.

Regardless of how they pay, guests want a secure, fast, and convenient payment experience when checking in, checking out, and everywhere in between (such as the bar or restaurant). While paying directly with cash won’t give them the safest and most convenient payment experience they deserve, inclusive digital payment technologies, such as Cash-2-Card® Kiosks, will. 

The best secure and convenient payment technologies on the market not only accommodate cash-preferred guests but also provide them with the same perks and superior guest experience as everyone else. A positive experience at your hotel can boost brand loyalty, keeping your accommodation at the top of their stay list when they want to book a room in your area.

Key Digital Payment Methods in Hospitality for 2025

In the not-so-distant past, hotel concierges would often ask guests, “Cash or card?” when asking for payment. Today, guests have several digital payment options to choose from, even if they prefer to use cash.

Credit and Debit Cards

Of all the digital payment methods available, a credit or debit card remains the go-to payment method for hotel guests. Not only are they accepted worldwide, but they’re also safe and easy to use, especially with chip-enabled/smart cards and contactless, tap-and-pay capabilities. These features allow guests to pay for their stay (or other hotel amenities) quickly and securely.

These payment methods also easily integrate with any in-house loyalty program. Whenever a guest uses their debit or credit card to pay, they can earn loyalty points that they can later redeem for discounted or complimentary stays and other hotel perks, boosting guest engagement and long-term patronage.

Mobile Wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay)

Rather than pulling out their purse or wallet for a payment card, mobile wallets give guests an easier and faster way to pay. Recent research supports this, showing that half of all hotel guests prefer to pay with a mobile wallet via a smart device. In particular, Millennials, Gen Z, and other tech-savvy travelers enjoy the convenience and security of digital wallet solutions.

Plus, these high-tech payment technologies expedite transaction times at every point of sale, allowing guests to avoid lengthy wait times. They also improve hygiene and sanitation—a non-negotiable for every customer-facing establishment.

QR Code Payments

Whether ordering drinks in the lobby or room service from the comfort of their beds, QR code payment options provide guests with a quick and convenient way to pay without having to trek to a physical point of sale. 

Hotels can link guests to multi-lingual menus for amenities and room service, ensuring they accommodate every guest. Easy and affordable to implement, requiring minimal infrastructure, you can place QR codes in convenient places, such as a small card in each guest room or at every table in the bar/restaurant area.

Online Payment Gateways

Planning and paying for a trip is easy and convenient when guests have access to an online payment gateway. In addition to completing their transactions any time and from anywhere, guests can free up hotel staff by handling the following before or during their stay: 

• Room booking and changes (dates, room type, etc.)
• Upgrades
• Room deposits
• Add-on purchases (e.g., a welcome bottle of champagne, rental car, or parking payments, etc.)

These payment systems easily integrate with hotel management software, enabling hoteliers to track bookings, customer preferences, spending trends, and more.

Wearables and Smart Payment Devices

RFID payment wristbands and other wearables are as practical as they are convenient. Not only can they expedite the payment process, but they also double as an access tool—similar to a classic keycard—for guest rooms and other on-site facilities, such as laundry rooms and family entertainment centers.

They’re especially convenient for families or large groups who stay in all-inclusive resorts where guests have access to multiple restaurants or amusement parks, making payments convenient and their experience more enjoyable. Instead of fishing through their wallets or phones to pay with a card or digital wallet, respectively, guests can quickly scan their wearable payment method and enjoy the perks of your establishment.

Bank Transfers for Corporate and Group Bookings

While not as common nowadays, wire transfers, otherwise known as direct bank transfers, remain a viable and convenient option for corporate and large group bookings (such as for conferences and more). These bank-to-bank transfers have several advantages for the payment sender and the hotel establishment, including:

• Fast and secure, especially for high-value bookings
• Low transaction fees
• Highly secure
• Automated and transparent transfer records

The Business Advantages of Expanding Digital Payment Options

Hoteliers around the world strive to provide their guests with the best possible stay experience without breaking the bank (or cutting corners, either). Offering in-demand digital payment methods is a cost-effective way to provide guests with the modern getaway they’re hoping for. 

But it’s also a smart business move.

First, integrating multiple digital payment channels streamlines operations. Potential guests can either book and pay online anytime or pay quickly on-site. This frees hotel staff from manual cash-handling duties, allowing them to focus instead on providing guests with the best possible hotel stay. Financial records will also be more accurate, reducing the likelihood of human-made accounting errors.

Finally, with all transactions digitized, hoteliers will have access to key data insights—necessary ingredients for optimizing room and amenity pricing, as well as staff scheduling. 

These benefits are only the tip of the iceberg. When hotels introduce inclusive digital payment technologies, such as Cash-to-Card Kiosks, they stand to reap the following:

• The ability to attract and retain cash-preferred customers when they’re turned away elsewhere.
• Stronger reputation as a hotel that strives to give all guests a superior experience.
• Reduced transaction costs, such as lower credit card processing fees

How Hotels Can Seamlessly Serve Cash-Preferred Guests

Despite the global demand for digital payments, millions of guests still prefer (or must use) cash to pay for their stay. Rather than turning away cash-only guests and losing their patronage and long-term loyalty, hoteliers can accommodate digital and cash-based payments, demonstrating to guests that payment inclusion is just as important as comfort in their establishment.

Ready Credit’s Cash-to-Card® Kiosks bridge the divide between cash-preferred customers and a modern, digital payment experience. Guests can quickly and securely convert their cash into a prepaid debit card, enabling them to make contactless payments throughout the hotel. With their prepaid debit card in hand, cash-preferred customers will then enjoy the same modern and convenient experience as every other hotel guest.

The Future of Hotel Payment Systems

The digital transformation continues to blaze new trails in the hospitality industry, with hotel payment methods undergoing a renaissance. When guests can pay how they want and as quickly and easily as possible, they’re more likely to have the superior guest experience they deserve.

Ready Credit’s digital payment solutions work for every guest—from cash-only to digital-payment-preferred. Hoteliers can honor their cash-only guests’ payment preferences while also giving them the same modern and secure payment experience as every other guest.

Explore Ready Credit’s hospitality payment solutions and discover how the future of hotel payment systems starts with accessibility and inclusivity for all guests.