I booked my stay on Expedia about a week in advance, and paid for the stay at that time.
I arrived around 10:30 after a long day of travelling.
The day before, my wallet had been stolen.
When I arrived at the front desk, I was asked if I had a credit card on which a damage deposit could be put. I explained I did not have a credit card, as my wallet had been stolen.
I got offered options that the person behind the counter really thought I ought to be able to do. Di I have a debit card? No, my entire wallet had been stolen, not just the pouch the credit card was in. Did I have Apple Pay? Could I make a deposit payment with my phone? This felt really patronizing and insulting.
I pointed out that I had already paid for the room, and asked if I might be able to stay in the room that I paid for. She said that it was against policy for the hotel to honour the agreement it had already made with me until they had got a damage deposit.
I said that I found fault with that policy. I then offered to leave my passport or some of the (relative) valuables within my luggage as a damage deposit. No, and no, and (implied) what was wrong with me for not having my credit card linked to my phone?
I asked if it was possible to get my money back, so I could stay at a hotel that was willing to accept my money in exchange for a room. She said this was impossible, as Expedia had collected the money, so if I wanted a refund I had to take it up with them.
Eventually, I was able to contact a fri