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Not sure if anyone remembers, but I worked during the summer with Addictive.

 

I'm starting school soon and need to make some money

I don't want to join an agency.. so I will be independant

 

My problem is this : I am unable to get any sort of credit card, therefore I can't get a hotel room.

 

Anyone have any advice for me? I'm stuck. I want to be able to do incalls and outcalls.

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Guest f***2f***
Not sure if anyone remembers, but I worked during the summer with Addictive.

 

I'm starting school soon and need to make some money

I don't want to join an agency.. so I will be independant

 

My problem is this : I am unable to get any sort of credit card, therefore I can't get a hotel room.

 

Anyone have any advice for me? I'm stuck. I want to be able to do incalls and outcalls.

 

How could we forget you?? Welcome back!! I don't have any advice for you I'm afraid but I am really glad you're back!!

Will a hotel accept cash up front?? They used to a few years ago but must admit I do everything by card myself now.

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Some hotels will take preloaded credit cards, like the type you can get at Money Mart. Unfortunately not many have hitching posts for my horsey!

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I doubt you'll find any hotels that will take a young student on a cash only basis, no matter how much money you slap down up front. Any hotel that would, you probably don't want to go to (i.e. seedy as hell).

 

You can call and ask certain hotels to find out for sure, but you might need to find someone willing to make the reservation for you. Definitely someone you have a strong mutual trust with...

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........

My problem is this : I am unable to get any sort of credit card, therefore I can't get a hotel room. Anyone have any advice for me? I'm stuck. I want to be able to do incalls and outcalls.

 

I'm under the distinct impression that full-time university students are entitled to receive a credit card from their university when they initially register in 1st-Year. I know my son had a VISA card with the University of Ottawa logo and campus picture on it when he was studying there 15 years ago. The credit limit on such cards is relatively small (usually $1,000-$1,500 I believe) but it would be more than enough to make a hotel reservation.

 

The other approach has been suggested by buggernot above. For example, you could earn some outcall money first and then ask the lucky person to make a hotel reservation for you (in his name) instead of actually paying you cash. There would have to be a lot of trust though because it's easy to run up a hefty bill in hotels with food, drinks, phone calls, movies, and who knows what else!

 

Good luck!

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When I first started university some years back, my parents got me a student Visa from Desjardins, which I'm still using (and my mom is still paying, shhh!). It's only got a $300 limit, so I use it for grocery emergencies generally. So it shouldn't be that hard to get a credit card.

 

Good luck, and welcome back!

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Hello, this is a fairly common plight for students. As mentioned, once you have a student registration it is often possible to obtain a card with a bank (brochures and packages often in frosh packages) with an agreement giving them preferential access to the university population. The banks cut university students a bit of slack in order to build customer loyalty and affinity.

 

You can also see about getting one through this service for students.

http://Http://canada.creditcards.com/college-students.php?a_aid=782746cd&a_cid=1035&a_did=24811&s_kwcid=TC|13058|university%20student%20visa%20cards||S|b|3691003652&gclid=CMSWi4m_x5wCFZtC5godHkSdIg

Edited by suburb1
typos

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Forget the pre-paid stuff... it does not work everywhere and they charge NASTY premiums.

 

I have helped a LOT of people out with this (it works!!)

 

I was told this secret many years ago from mortgage specialist.

Capital One has Guaranteed credit cards (you have to put down 200.00 on them and the limit is 200.00 but they REPORT TO YOUR CREDIT FILE) so they establish (or re-establish) your credit. Even if you had a bankruptcy!

 

I have family members who are self employed and had bad credit and a past bankrupcy and after 1 year of using these cards they qualified for a mortgage!! Seriously!. Plus Capital One changed her card to a regular card with 2000.00 credit limit and sent back her 200.00 deposit. She now has a credit score over 780 in under 2 years and a 200 thousand dollar mortgage thanks to this card!

 

Here is the link

http://www.capitalone.ca/canada/credit-card/guaranteed

 

They are accepted EVERYWHERE (Not like the pre-paid ones).

 

Everyone is approved!

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Forget the pre-paid stuff... it does not work everywhere and they charge NASTY premiums.

 

I have helped a LOT of people out with this (it works!!)

 

I was told this secret many years ago from mortgage specialist.

Capital One has Guaranteed credit cards (you have to put down 200.00 on them and the limit is 200.00 but they REPORT TO YOUR CREDIT FILE) so they establish (or re-establish) your credit. Even if you had a bankruptcy!

 

I have family members who are self employed and had bad credit and a past bankrupcy and after 1 year of using these cards they qualified for a mortgage!! Seriously!. Plus Capital One changed her card to a regular card with 2000.00 credit limit and sent back her 200.00 deposit. She now has a credit score over 780 in under 2 years and a 200 thousand dollar mortgage thanks to this card!

 

Here is the link

http://www.capitalone.ca/canada/credit-card/guaranteed

 

They are accepted EVERYWHERE (Not like the pre-paid ones).

 

Everyone is approved!

 

That is a great tip mod, i believe they are called secured credit cards?

 

I just did the app, and I got approved for one with the cash down, waiting for the info in the mail

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They are secured credit cards BUT capital one is the ONLY one in Canada who reports these cards to the credit burrows (as far as I know).

 

If you notice on the link I included above it says...

tooltip_left_pointer.gif

For people who need to

Establish Credit

 

Not sure what we mean by establish credit?

 

 

  • You've never had a credit card, loan or line of credit; or,
  • You're new to Canada; or,
  • You've recently had credit troubles (that could include a bankruptcy)

 

tooltip_left_pointer.gif

 

Many banks and credit unions offer secure cards but I don't know of ANY other one that is specifically for building your credit ratting up (or back up after some hard times). It's hard to build credit if you are self employed and this REALLY helps.

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Some hotels will take preloaded credit cards, like the type you can get at Money Mart. Unfortunately not many have hitching posts for my horsey!

 

I tried those CK, most don't accept them because it's like a debit card. If you book online with a credit card, they want to see the "card' when you check in and then don't accept them cuz it's like a debit card. It happened to me twice, so perhaps I will try some of the other suggestions offered here, because as it is now, I have a friend covering me for my trip to Toronto.

 

 

In Ottawa, I know of 2 places that don't require credit cards, but I think it depends on how you present yourself coming to the desk.

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Suri, PM me and I will tell you which ones (which aren't sleazy) which don't require a credit card. You do however, need a driver's license or some kind of photo ID and proof of address so they know who you are.

 

Since they know me, I only have to put a key deposit, but as a first-timer, they may ask you to put down a $100 deposit or something.

 

I know of at least two places in Ottawa that are fairly decent. I am asking you to pm me, because there are a few considerations you should bear in mind if you work out these places.:69:

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Angela, there are some hotels as I said, others as you've pointed out do look at them more like debit cards, well because they are. But there are or where a handful of good not sleezy, hotels that do. But the Capital One card like Mod suggests is the best to help establish and build a good credit history.

 

I have been with Capital One for years now they have great interest rates and great customer service.

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Suri, an alternative is to capitalize on being a student and get a student mastercard

 

One source is:

http://www.cuets.ca/products/mastercard/card_student.htm#

 

"starter" card for post-secondary students; no annual fee.

 

As Mod indicated, its a great idea to start building a credit history so other products such a credit lines etc become available options in the future.

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Welcome back Suri!

 

Here's another tip on how to get around your current problem until you get a real credit card!

 

As many have suggested, buy yourself a pre-paid card for $200 at Shopper's drug mart (Pharmaprix).

 

Make an online reservation at the hotel of your choice using the pre-paid credit card number.

 

Once you are checking in, tell the clerk you are paying cash for your room and do not wish to have your credit card charged... Remember that you can pay as you wish once you're at the hotel... The credit card number is only to guarantee your reservation.

 

The clerk will tell you that you have to leave a cash deposit of $30-$40 a night since you're paying cash for the room. Once you check out, you will get it all back!

They still have your pre-paid credit card number in case of damage to the room, etc...

 

I've done it many times over, in different provinces and it has worked every time!

 

PM me if you need more info ;)

 

Hope this helps!

Good luck dear!

 

xox

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Make an online reservation at the hotel of your choice using the pre-paid credit card number.

.....

 

Thanks for this answer. This is useful information for me as well.....

 

Prepaid Mastercard can also be purchase at 7-11 and MoneyMart. The one I use is called the Vanilla Prepaid MasterCard https://www.vanillamastercard.com

 

This site has more information for the curious http://dan.matan.ca/Canadian-Prepaid-Mastercard-Visa-Card-Reviews-Information

Edited by etasman2000
Formatting

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Never had a problem with the money mart card and hotwire.com or priceline.com the rooms are prepaid and I guess they would have to make a lot of paperwork to not accept the card, some places will run a 50-350 deposit on the card when you check in.

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Oh ya and welcome back Suri!! we never got a one on one date :( maybe we can fix that??

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Not sure if anyone remembers, but I worked during the summer with Addictive.

 

I'm starting school soon and need to make some money

I don't want to join an agency.. so I will be independant

 

My problem is this : I am unable to get any sort of credit card, therefore I can't get a hotel room.

 

Anyone have any advice for me? I'm stuck. I want to be able to do incalls and outcalls.

Forget you? Can't stop thinking about you. You are one of the most refreshing people I have ever met.

 

Hope to see you sometime soon.

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There are a few things you can do...Not sure what your situation is credit wise but you can:

 

1. Apply online for a secured credit card through capitalone.ca

http://capitalone.ca/canada/credit-card/guaranteed-secured-mastercard/?linkid=WWW_Z_Z_UNS02_CNCMPMP_C1_14_T_CNCPSE This card is useful if you need to establish credit or begin to repair it. I used this kind of card years ago while in school when I needed to establish credit because I had none. They also have a few other credit cards depending on your situation. A secured card will require a $200-300 deposit which will also be the limit. This card will be accepted by all hotels. Once you begin to show a pattern of paying the card you can apply to have the limit raised.

 

2. You can go to Money Mart and get a Titanium prepaid card. It costs about $20.00 and you can load money onto it right away. The money is on the card right away as opposed to some C.C. companies where it may take a few days to receive a payment. The only downside is that there is a $2.00 transaction fee for every time you put money on it. Not a big deal imo.

 

Once you get the card, I would suggest booking your hotels through Priceline.com The reason I suggest doing this is because there are many hotels in Ottawa specifically towards the East end ( Chimo Inn, Comfort Inn, Welcome Inn and others in that surrounding area) will not accept this type of card for a regular booking through their website/walk-in or to use for incidentals/deposits. Not sure why but they probably have been scammed. These hotels don't realize that with a prepaid credit card, a hold can be put on it and the customer cannot take the money off the card once a hold has been placed.

 

With priceline you are getting the hotel at a very deep discount 50-70% off and the hotels are nice. Check http://biddingfortravel.com before you book through priceline for people that have posted their winning bids for hotels. This way you'll have an idea of what to bid and there is also a list of hotels categorized by star rating so you also know which hotels that participate through this this site. You don't get to pick the hotel but you do get to pick the level of hotel you want and the area in the city. Once you get to the hotel especially the bigger ones downtown they will accept the prepaid card for a deposit because the room has already been paid for. Doing it this way is a win-win situation because you're getting the room at an amazing rate and they will accept the card. In a worst case scenario, a hotel will take cash for a deposit. Be sure to find out what each hotel charges for a deposit. Most places is $50-75 a night and other hotels such as Westin will require $300.

 

3.Apply for a regular credit card with a $500 limit if you're a student and still use Priceline to get the best rates for rooms. Remember you don't want hotel costs eating up your profits from seeing customers.

 

This prepaid card is also good for hobbyists because there are no paper trails such as bills being sent to your mailing address every month and you can set up an account online to view your credit card transactions.

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