| My final pieces of advice are almost what you would | | | | we are talking desperation anyway so here goes. |
| call last ditch efforts to get money for a hotel room | | | | See if there is anyway you can either get |
| or to eat with if you ever find yourself out of cash | | | | accommodation from your airline OR see if there is |
| with no where to stay. The first is the most obvious | | | | any way you can change flights to a cheaper one |
| option - you find a hotel that takes checks. If you | | | | and perhaps have them refund (in cash or a hotel |
| can - you are in like Flint. But this presupposes several | | | | voucher) the difference. If you plead your case with |
| factors: You have a check with you, you have a | | | | an airline agent and explain you are going to sleep on |
| credit card to back it up AND you find a hotel that | | | | the floor at the airport, there may be a way they |
| accepts checks. Of course if you had a credit card | | | | can provide a hotel voucher and charge your credit |
| you probably wouldn't need to pay with a check and | | | | card later or bill you later. This would probably only |
| if you have a card but it has no credit left, the hotel | | | | happen if you were a frequent flyer member or |
| may be very wary of accepting a check. Most hotels | | | | frequent traveler that they value but you never |
| do NOT accept checks but some may have a check | | | | know. I admit that not many hotels would allow you |
| guarantee system in house that allows for personal | | | | to stay on a promise of future payment. I know I |
| checks, assuming they get an authorization approval. | | | | have been burned 2 or 3 times over the years by |
| You may need to call around a bit to find hotels that | | | | people doing this and I will not accept anything but |
| do accept checks - my advice would be to stick to | | | | cash or a credit card or an airline voucher now, so I |
| the larger, more expensive hotels. Smaller properties | | | | don't suggest your trying to plead your case with a |
| or cheaper motels will almost NEVER accept a | | | | desk clerk. I know it is a longshot, but I think your |
| personal check. | | | | better bet is with the airline you are flying on - |
| Here's an off the wall idea - see if any hotel or | | | | especially if you missed a connection because of |
| property accepts PayPal. Of course this would | | | | something they did or due to weather. |
| assume you have a PayPal account also AND have | | | | Keep in mind that airlines (and hotels) are not banks |
| sufficient funds in it. Most PayPal accounts are linked | | | | or lenders so they are not in the business of loaning |
| to your bank account so as long as the hotel is set | | | | money. Do not be offended if they say no - they |
| up for PayPal, this is a great option. I will be honest | | | | may have their hands full with many customers and |
| and admit it is unlikely that at this time many hotels | | | | can't spend 30 minutes trying to find you a place to |
| do have PayPal options, but I offer this advice | | | | stay on their dime. But depending upon your status |
| because I believe in the future more and more will. I | | | | with them, it is worth a shot. |
| also think that even if you don't have a PayPal | | | | Along with the other tips I offered in previous |
| account but know someone who does and is willing | | | | articles, this gives you many options to try if you find |
| to sponsor you, they can effect a transfer to the | | | | yourself stranded. I truly believe one of them will |
| hotel and pay for it from the comfort of their home. | | | | work for you, it's just a matter of finding out which |
| This last piece of advice is also way out there - but | | | | one. |