I know all hostals are different, but in general, do you give them your credit card info when you reserve, and they then charge you for the first night, and you pay for the rest when you check out? One more question... Does anybody know if it would be a problem to make the initial reservation with one card, and then use another (someone else's card) upon checkout? Thanks!

I've stayed in several hostals and have typically given my credit card info before arrival. Yet I've never been charged for any of the nights until the end of my stay. And I can't imagine it would be a problem to pay with a different card. The most important thing, I suppose, is that you pay!--whose card you use wouldn't seem to matter.

I've confirmed my arrival with one card and paid with another on several occasions. Just indicate when you check in that you want to pay with another card--and then keep an eye on your statements to be sure the first card wasn't charged in error.

And remember, if you're confirming via e-mail, sending your credit card info may not be all that wise!!
Tara

When needing to e-mail credit card info in a non-secure way, I split it between two different e-mails, (first half of the number in the first e-mail, second half in the next) and advise the hotel of what I'm doing. They've always accepted it, and I've never had a number stolen.