The essentials in 30 seconds
- Verdict: Pay now by card for a prepaid rate, or settle at the desk for a rate paid at the property, and confirm the type on the rate screen before you book.
- Options: Agoda lists pay now, book now pay later and pay at the hotel, and availability varies by property.
- Currency: A conversion surcharge can apply when your card currency differs from the property's, and your bank may add its own fee.
- Cash: US dollars are widely used in Cambodia, so a desk payment in dollars is simple.
- Best for: Travellers booking hostels, guesthouses and hotels up to about 100 dollars a night.
Payment is the last click of a booking, and it is worth thirty seconds of reading. The rate screen on Agoda and Booking.com states when your card is charged, in which currency, and what happens if plans change.
This page explains the payment types, the currency question and the deposit terms to read. It forms part of the comparison of Agoda and Booking.com for Siem Reap hotels.
The Payment Types You Will See
Agoda describes three routes: pay now, book now pay later, and pay at the hotel. Pay now charges your card when you book and is the default for most hotels. Pay at the hotel settles the bill at check-in, and it is available at many properties but not all. Booking.com marks each rate as prepaid or paid at the property.
Payment types on the booking platforms
| Payment type | When you pay | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Pay now | At booking | Often tied to the strictest or the cheapest rate, so read the cancellation line |
| Book now pay later | Before arrival, on a set date | Check the charge date and the currency |
| Pay at the property | At check-in | Suits travellers who prefer cash or a card at the desk |
Availability varies by hotel and by rate.
The rate screen shows which options a listing offers, so read it before you pick a room.
Card Currency and Fees
Agoda may add a conversion surcharge when your payment currency differs from the property's currency, and your own bank can add a foreign transaction fee on top. The simplest habit is to read the total on the final screen and compare it between the two platforms.
Card checklist
- Choose the currency that matches your card, when the platform offers a choice.
- Read the final total, including any surcharge, before you confirm.
- Ask your bank about foreign transaction fees before you travel.
- Keep the payment confirmation with your booking email.
For a longer view of risk and benefit, the sister page on paying at the hotel or online compares both routes.
Cash in US Dollars and Choosing a Payment Type
The riel is Cambodia's official currency, and US dollars are widely used alongside it. In tourist areas hotels and tours are commonly priced in dollars, while small change under 10 dollars is often returned in riel. Bring notes in good condition if you plan to pay at the property, since a torn note can be harder to spend.
ATMs commonly dispense US dollars, often in 100 dollar notes, which are less handy for small payments. Fees vary by machine, so check the fee screen and withdraw a sensible amount in one go. Ask the front desk to break a large note into smaller ones when you arrive.
Pay now rates suit travellers whose dates are settled. Rates paid at the property or later suit travellers who are still waiting for flights or visas. Both routes work well when the terms are read first.
Match the payment type to your plans
| Your situation | Rate that fits | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dates are fixed and flights are booked | Pay now | Often the simplest route and sometimes the lowest headline |
| Flights may still move | Pay at the property or pay later | The charge waits until you arrive or until a later date |
| You prefer cash | Pay at the property | Settle at the desk in US dollars |
| You want a card record | Pay now by card | A statement line and a confirmation email |
Terms vary by hotel and by rate, so read the rate screen.
Whichever route you pick, save the confirmation email and the booking number in one place. At check-in, the front desk can find your reservation by name and booking number, and you can show the email on your phone when a question comes up.
Deposits and Terms to Read Before Confirming
Some rates ask for a deposit or a card guarantee, while others charge the full stay in advance. The terms sit under the rate details, together with the cancellation deadline.
Questions the rate screen answers
- Is the full amount charged now, or only a deposit?
- Does a card guarantee hold the room until check-in?
- What happens to the payment if you cancel before the deadline?
- In which currency will the charge appear on your statement?
Booking.com calculates the cancellation deadline in the hotel's local time zone, so allow a buffer. The page on free cancellation shows how to read a deadline.
Two sister pages help with the rest of the price: Agoda Rewards and Booking.com Genius show how member discounts apply, and why a price differs explains gaps between the platforms.
Settling Up and a Quick Routine
A rate paid at the property is settled at check-in or checkout, depending on the hotel. Ask the desk when the bill is due and request a receipt for any payment you make. A receipt gives you a clear record of what you paid and in which currency.
At the front desk
- Bring US dollars in clean notes for a desk payment.
- Ask for the receipt in the currency you paid.
- Check the amount against the confirmation before you hand over cash.
- Use a card at the desk only when the hotel confirms it accepts one.
Small extras such as laundry, drinks and tuk-tuk transfers are usually settled separately, and the desk can list them on the bill when you check out. Having small notes ready keeps those moments quick, and a spare folded copy of your confirmation helps when the desk asks to see it.
- 1Choose the room and read the rate type.
- 2Check whether the charge happens now, later or at the property.
- 3Check the currency and the final total.
- 4Read the deposit and cancellation lines.
- 5Save the confirmation, and bring US dollars if you pay at the desk.
For the whole booking process, return to how to book a hotel in Siem Reap.
Quick quiz
Three questions to check what you kept.
FAQ
Can I pay at the hotel instead of online?
Many properties offer a pay at the property rate, and availability varies by hotel. The rate screen shows the options.
Is a card accepted at a Siem Reap guesthouse?
Card acceptance varies by property, so a prepaid rate on the platform is the simplest way to pay by card. Cash in US dollars suits a rate paid at the desk.
Which currency should I pay in?
Choose the currency that matches your card when the platform offers a choice, and compare the final totals.
Is a deposit needed?
Some rates ask for a deposit or a card guarantee. The terms appear under the rate details before you confirm.
Where do I find the cancellation deadline?
On the rate screen, and again in your confirmation email. Read the full guide on free cancellation.
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