Can you check in to a hotel with a virtual card? How the deposit hold works

Updated on October 23, 2026

You can pay an online hotel booking with a virtual Visa card, but accepting it at the front desk is each hotel’s decision. Top up the stay plus a margin for the pre-authorization (deposit hold), which stays reserved on your balance until the hotel releases it.

Issue virtual card

Can you check in to a hotel with a virtual card? How the deposit hold works

Do hotels accept a virtual card at check-in?

It depends on the hotel: the Guarapay card is a Visa and works online wherever Visa is accepted, but each hotel sets its own rules for prepaid and virtual cards. The safest way is to email the hotel before the trip and ask whether it accepts this type of card for the room and for the deposit.

If you pay the booking online on a prepaid rate, the charge happens at booking and the front desk usually only asks for a guarantee for extras. On a "pay at the hotel" rate, the charge happens on arrival or at check-out.

How to pay a hotel with a virtual card step by step?

Open the Guarapay app or the Telegram mini app @guarapay_bot and create your account.
Issue the virtual card; the issue fee is US$ 10 on Standard or US$ 100 on Premium.
Top up the cost of the stay plus a margin for the hotel deposit, plus the US$ 0.25 per-purchase fee, with a Visa or Mastercard bank card in your own name or with USDT.
On the booking site or the hotel site, enter the number, expiry date, security code, name and billing address as shown in the app.
Before the trip, ask the hotel for the pre-authorization amount and check that your balance covers the stay and that amount.
At check-in, say the card is virtual: the hotel types in the details, since there is no plastic.
Check the charge notification in the app, which arrives instantly.

What is a hotel pre-authorization and how much is held?

A pre-authorization is a reserved amount on the card, not a charge: the hotel blocks a sum to cover extras such as the minibar or damage, then releases it. The amount and the release time change from hotel to hotel; ask for both at check-in.

While the pre-authorization is active, the available balance on the card is lower. Keep the stay plus a margin on the balance and do not count on the held amount for other purchases until the hotel releases it.

How to prepare for check-in with a virtual card?

Ask the hotel, by email or through the booking site, whether it accepts a virtual or prepaid card for the room and the deposit.
Ask for the pre-authorization amount and the release time.
Top up the stay plus that margin a few days before the trip, not at the front desk.
Book under the name of the guest who is travelling whenever possible.
Bring a second payment method in case the hotel declines the card at the desk.

How much does it cost to pay a hotel with a virtual card?

The price of the stay is what the hotel or the booking site shows; Guarapay does not change it. You top up the stay and the deposit margin, and the pre-authorization is not a charge but stays reserved on the balance until it is released.

The top-up fee (2% with USDT, 5% with a bank card) is taken at top-up and each approved charge costs US$ 0.25. On Premium the top-up fee with USDT is 1% (a bank card stays at 5%). There is no monthly fee; the issue fee is paid once.

The monthly spend limit is US$ 10,000 on Standard and US$ 100,000 on Premium. If you top up with a local bank card, your bank may charge taxes and apply its own exchange rate; with USDT the top-up lands directly in dollars.

Why was the payment declined?

Not enough balance: it must cover the amount and US$ 0.25 per purchase.
Caps in the app: the monthly or per-purchase cap may be below the amount.
Frozen card: unfreeze it in the app before trying again.
Name or billing address different from the ones shown in the app.
Hotel pre-authorization larger than the available balance: top up more or ask the hotel to lower the amount.
Try again after a few minutes and, if it still fails, contact the support bot on Telegram in the app or on the site.

Sources

FAQ

Can I check in to a hotel with a prepaid card?

It depends on the hotel’s rule. Ask before the trip whether it accepts a prepaid or virtual card for the room and the deposit, and bring another payment method to be safe.

How long does a hotel hold the deposit on the card?

The time is set by the hotel and the card issuer and varies from case to case. Ask the hotel at check-in and follow the balance in the app.

Can a hotel refuse a virtual card?

Yes. Each hotel decides, and Guarapay does not guarantee acceptance at any merchant. Confirm before you travel.

How do I top up the balance?

In the app, with a Visa or Mastercard bank card in your own name or with USDT, with no minimum amount.

Does the card have a monthly fee?

No. You pay the US$ 10 issue fee (US$ 100 on Premium), the top-up fee of 2% with USDT (1% on Premium) or 5% with a bank card, and US$ 0.25 per approved purchase.