Hotels may charge your credit card when you make a reservation, when you check in, or when you check out, depending on how and where you book the reservation. There's a lot of variation in the way hotels handle credit card charges, even within a single hotel brand or third-party booking website.

Whether a hotel charges you at the time of booking or at check-in depends entirely on the "rate type" you selected during the reservation process. If you choose a "Prepaid" or "Non-Refundable" rate, the hotel or booking platform (like Expedia or Booking.com) will typically charge the full amount to your credit card immediately or within 24 hours of booking. These rates are usually cheaper but offer no flexibility. Conversely, "Flexible" or "Pay Later" rates generally do not charge your card until you arrive at the hotel or until the cancellation window closes (usually 24–72 hours before arrival). Even if you choose to pay at check-in, the hotel will perform a "pre-authorization" on your card for the full stay amount plus a security deposit for incidentals. This is not a permanent charge but a temporary hold on your funds. In 2026, many hotels are moving toward automated mobile check-in systems that process payment through the hotel's app on the morning of arrival, further blurring the line between booking and physical check-in.