Anonymity and Short term Stays at Hotels/Motels

[Bushman69]

Have had occassion to need a hotel/motel over the last few months but didn't know how to cover my tracks. Questions: 1.) what is the best way to protect my anonymity and not provide personal information and credit cards when booking a room so I can make sure I don't have strange billings on my credit card; and 2.) are there ways to tactfully get a room for a shorter duration rather than paying a whole day (yeah I understand places like the Gates Motel might do that but do other more upscale places). Thanks all and my apologies if this is not the appropriate forum.

[Gotyour6]

Hold the room on the card and pay cash when checking out
Don't use easy check out (Where you walk out in the morning and they bill your card)

I don't know of any nice hotel that will give you a break on rooms per half day.

[Jim Fett]

I used to work in a hotel 30 yrs back. 11 p to 7 am. When asked for short stay, I would keep cash and clean room afterwoods. It never hurts to ask. This was a moderate level hotel, with only 1 person working the shift.

[the jeepguy]

watch out for follow up e mails. I stayed at a local henrietta hotel. Payed cash but they wanted card for hold. Next day e mail asking how the stay was showed up. Must have got the e mail from CC info or something. I never gave it to them. It was family e mail, not personal. Was able to explain away as a work thing. Could certainly lead to issues.

[stuckinsyracuse]

Prepaid credit card to book room, then pay cash