Quick answer
Can I pay for a hotel with USDT (ERC-20)?
Yes, with USDT sent on Ethereum (ERC-20) only, not on BNB Smart Chain, Polygon or a layer-2 network. The network fee is paid in ETH. StaySats, a hotel booking site paid only in crypto, credits it in US dollars after 12 confirmations. Each stay is then held, not charged, until the hotel confirms.
Paying for a hotel with USDT (ERC-20): key facts
| Coin and network | Tether (USDT) on Ethereum (ERC-20) |
|---|---|
| Network to choose | Ethereum (ERC-20) only (on exchanges: Ethereum, ETH or ERC20) |
| Deposit address format | an Ethereum address of 42 characters that starts with 0x |
| Confirmations before credit | 12 |
| Network fee | Paid in ETH by the sender |
| Value until you book | Tracks the US dollar |
| Not accepted | USDT on BNB Smart Chain (BEP-20), Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, Avalanche, Solana, TON or any network other than ERC-20 and TRC-20 |
| Refunds in this coin | Yes: withdrawable amounts can be sent in USDT on Ethereum (ERC-20) |
What should I know about USDT on ERC-20 before I pay a hotel?
USDT on Ethereum is an ERC-20 token: each transfer runs through the USDT contract on Ethereum and pays gas in ETH. The 0x address format is shared by Ethereum and by networks such as BNB Smart Chain, Polygon, Arbitrum and Base. That makes the network choice the main risk. We credit an ERC-20 top-up after 12 confirmations, the same count as USDC and ETH.
How do I send USDT on Ethereum (ERC-20) for a top-up?
Start a top-up in your account and pick USDT (ERC-20). Then:
Choose USDT, then the Ethereum network
On the withdrawal screen, pick USDT and the network called Ethereum, ETH or ERC20, not a layer-2 or BNB Smart Chain.
Paste the 0x address from the payment page
The address alone does not tell the networks apart, so check the network field again after you paste.
Send the exact amount, with ETH for gas
From your own wallet, keep ETH for the gas; from an exchange, the withdrawal fee covers it. The exact USDT amount must arrive.
Which network must I use to send USDT?
Use the Ethereum network (ERC-20), and nothing else.
What does a USDT top-up cost?
An ERC-20 transfer pays Ethereum gas, and gas is paid in ETH, never in USDT. The gas price follows demand on the network, so the same transfer can cost more in a busy hour. The hotel price is the same in every coin. We give no network fee figure until we have measured one.
Does my USDT top-up keep its value until I book?
USDT is designed to track the US dollar, so a top-up made today keeps about the same dollar value until you book.
Which wallet or exchange can I send USDT from?
In a self-custody wallet such as a browser wallet, keep some ETH next to your USDT to pay the gas.
On an exchange, the withdrawal fee replaces the gas you would pay yourself. Pick the Ethereum network, which some exchanges call ERC20.
Which other crypto travel sites accept USDT on ERC-20?
As of October 2026, per each seller's own page.
| Seller | What its page states |
|---|---|
| StaySats | Tether (USDT) on Ethereum (ERC-20), credited after 12 confirmations; hotels only |
| Travala | Its USDT payment page names USDT (ERC-20); its payment options page lists six other named USDT networks |
| Laters (flights only) | Takes USDT on ERC-20 through Crypto.com Pay, plus Cronos and Polygon |
| Travorio | Lists USDT, but its payment page does not name the network |
| Trip.com | Takes USDT and USDC through a payment partner in some markets (press report) |
We sell hotel bookings paid in crypto. Our offer is included and marked. Who runs each site: crypto travel seller registry.
Paying for a hotel with USDT (ERC-20): FAQ
Why does a USDT ERC-20 top-up need ETH?
Because every Ethereum transaction pays gas in ETH, including a USDT transfer. From your own wallet, the ETH for gas comes from the same address that holds the USDT. If that address holds no ETH, the transfer cannot be sent. From an exchange, the withdrawal fee covers it.
Can I send USDT from Arbitrum or Base to the 0x address?
No. Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, Polygon and BNB Smart Chain share the 0x address format with Ethereum, but they are different networks. Only USDT sent on Ethereum itself (ERC-20) reaches the address shown for USDT on ERC-20.
Is ERC-20 slower than TRC-20 for a hotel top-up?
We wait for 12 confirmations on Ethereum and 20 on Tron before the balance is credited. The usual time for each network is on the pay with crypto page. The hotel price is the same on both networks.
Can I pay with USDT on ERC-20 and get a refund on TRC-20?
Yes. When an amount is withdrawable, you choose the coin and the network for the withdrawal: USDT on TRC-20, USDT on ERC-20 or USDC on ERC-20. The network you used to top up does not limit your choice.
Pay with another coin or network
Sources (checked October 12, 2026) (5)
- Supported Protocols and Integration Guidelines — Tether (2026-10-12)
- Ethereum accounts — ethereum.org (2026-10-12)
- Gas and fees — ethereum.org (2026-10-12)
- Travala payment options — Travala (2026-10-12)
- Laters: pay with USDT — Laters (2026-10-12)