Apple Pay is one of the most popular ways for people to pay these days. More and more hotels now allow you to use Apple Pay when you check in or pay your bill.
In this guide, we will look at which 18+ hotels in the United States accept Apple Pay and how you can use it to make payments during your hotel stay.
Introduction Apple Pay is changing the way we make payments. With Apple Pay, you can use your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or MacBook to quickly and securely pay at contactless payment terminals.
An increasing number of hotels now accept Apple Pay, making it easy for travelers to check in, pay incidentals, or settle their final bill without ever having to take out their wallets.
This guide covers everything you need to know about using Apple Pay at hotels.
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What is Apple Pay?
Apple Pay allows you to store your credit and debit cards digitally on supported Apple devices.
Instead of using your physical card to make payments, your device can then be used to make contactless payments in stores, restaurants, and now hotels.
Apple Pay uses secure tokenization so your actual card details are never shared with the retailer. It’s an easy, fast, and highly secure payment method.
Besides this, you can also check out Afterpay hotels and make payments through it.
Why Use Apple Pay at Hotels?
There are several good reasons to use Apple Pay during your hotel stay:
No need to carry cards or cash Super fast check-in and check-out Secure – actual card details never shared Works with reward program memberships.
Don’t need to hand the card over to the staff Can pay if you leave the wallet in the room
Sets charges automatically to the correct card.
How Does Apple Pay Work at Hotels?
Most hotels now have payment terminals that support contactless payments using methods like Apple Pay.
Instead of inserting or tapping your card, you can hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the contactless reader to pay.
For room charges, mini bar expenses, restaurant bills, and other services, you tap your phone just as you would a contactless credit card.
At check-out, you can review your folio on your phone and tap to pay the final amount. It’s all very fast, convenient, and more secure than using physical payment cards.
What Hotels Accept Apple Pay?
An increasing number of hotel chains now accept Apple Pay. No deposit hotels also accept Apple Pay.
Here are some of the major hotel brands that support Apple Pay:
1. Marriott Hotels
Most Marriott hotels accept Apple Pay at check-in/check-out as well as in restaurants and bars. You can store your Bonvoy membership in Apple Wallet.
2. Hilton Hotels
You can use Apple Pay at the front desk and most outlets in Hilton Hotels worldwide. Apple Pay also works seamlessly with your Hilton Honors membership.
3. Hyatt Hotels
Hyatt Hotels accepts Apple Pay for charges to your room, food, and beverage outlets as well as at check-out through the World of Hyatt app.
4. InterContinental Hotels
At InterContinental Hotels you can use Apple Pay with IHG Rewards membership at check-in, hotel outlets and settle your final bill.
5. Accor Hotels
Most Accor hotels brands including Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, ibis and others accept Apple Pay throughout Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific.
6. Best Western
Hotels Apple Pay is now accepted for room charges, restaurants and check-out at Best Western hotels in the United States and Canada.
The following hotel groups also accept Apple Pay in many locations globally:
- Four Seasons Hotels
- Rosewood Hotels
- Kimpton Hotels
- Red Carnation Hotels
- Langham Hotels
- Shangri-La Hotels
In addition, a growing number of independent hotels also now accept Apple Pay. Be sure to confirm with the hotel before traveling if you wish to take advantage of this method.
Using Apple Pay International Hotels
One of the best features of Apple Pay is that it works globally thanks to partnerships between Apple and international payment networks. Apple Pay is accepted in over 60 countries worldwide.
When traveling overseas, Apple Pay can prevent expensive foreign transaction fees that sometimes apply when paying by credit card. It also means you don’t need to obtain local currency and Apple’s favorable exchange rates.
Before traveling, add bank cards from supported networks like MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover. This will allow you to continue using Apple Pay with the same cards while abroad.
Apple Pay works seamlessly with loyalty programs at large hotel chains. Be sure to add your rewards membership card to the Apple Wallet app before checking in.
How to Set Up Apple Pay
To use Apple Pay at hotels, you will first need to set it up:
On your iPhone Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay Tap Add Card and follow the prompts to add your Visa, Mastercard or American Express card Double click the side button then authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID when prompted.
On Apple Watch Install the latest watchOS version Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone Tap Wallet & Apple Pay > Add Card Follow the prompts to add your card Double click the side button when prompted.
On iPad Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay Follow the steps to add your card Place your finger on Touch ID when prompted.
You can add multiple cards including debit, credit, loyalty cards, and more. The card you use most frequently will become your default card when using Apple Pay.
Where to Use Apple Pay in Hotels
Once set up, you will find many places to use Apple Pay throughout your hotel stay:
- Front Desk Check-In Fast track check-in by adding your room charge to the Apple Wallet, Pay any advance deposits or prepayments
- Hotel Outlets & Restaurants Tap to pay for meals, drinks, and amenities around the hotel
- Guest Rooms Pay for room service orders delivered using Apple Pay
- Business Center Printing, internet access, and other business services
- Spa & Leisure Facilities
- Apple Pay is accepted for spa treatments, gym fees, activities, etc
- Pool Bars & Cabanas Order and pay for refreshments without carrying any cash
- In-Room Purchases Purchase pay-per-view movies, mini bar items, etc
- At Check-Out
Review your folio on your iPhone and tap to settle the final bill
How Secure is Apple Pay?
Security is one of Apple Pay’s biggest advantages. Every Apple Pay transaction uses a unique dynamic security code so your actual card details are never shared with the retailer.
Apple Pay utilizes Near Field Communication (NFC) and tokenization technology to encrypt payment information before it reaches outlets. This makes it very difficult for anyone to intercept your real card details.
When you use Apple Pay at hotels, your card details are stored securely on your device in the Secure Element chip. This means no sensitive data touches hotel payment systems or passes through their networks.
Face ID, Touch ID, or passcodes also ensure that only you can access and authorize Apple Pay purchases on your devices. This keeps payment details and transaction history private.
Tips for Using Apple Pay at Hotels To get the best experience using Apple Pay at hotels, keep these tips in mind:
Activating Express Mode will allow you to pay without additional authentication between uses Add hotel loyalty membership cards to Apple Wallet.
Conclusion
The ability to use Apple Pay for hotel payments is expected to keep growing.
Take the time to set it up in advance to enjoy maximum convenience plus security during your hotel stays.
