Generally, it is not considered safe to send your full credit card number, expiry date, and CVV code via a standard, unencrypted email to a hotel. Email is fundamentally an "open" communication protocol, meaning the data travels through various servers across the internet where it can be intercepted by hackers or malicious actors. Furthermore, once the email arrives, it may be stored in plain text on the hotel's local computers or printed out and left in unsecured areas, increasing the risk of "insider" identity theft. In 2026, most reputable hotels use secure, encrypted booking engines or specialized payment links (like Stripe or Sertifi) that protect your financial data according to PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) requirements. If a hotel insists on receiving your details via email, a safer alternative is to call the front desk directly to provide the information over the phone or to use a virtual credit card number with a fixed limit. While a hotel needs your card to guarantee a room or charge for "no-shows," providing that sensitive data through an insecure channel like email leaves you vulnerable to fraudulent charges that can be difficult to dispute.