B&B requires cash payment 7 days before check-in to qualify for RS%

Nothing anyone can do about it, unfortunately. Be sure to fill out the RS guidebook feedback and let them know of the policy.
https://www.ricksteves.com/forms/guidebook-feedback-form

We haven't experienced a 7 day advance cash payment, but it seems most, if not all of the RS discounts are only if it's paid in cash.

I don’t mind the cash payment but wondered if a cash payment 7 days before check-in was a thing.

Will they accept a wire transfer? It's bank to bank with no charge to the receiver. (They don't want to have to pay commission for credit cards or PayPal. )

wondered if a cash payment 7 days before check-in was a thing.

No, I've never heard of this before. It seems unusual.

Good question, I’ll ask!

See if you can give them your credit card number for their security, but tell them that you will pay in cash when you arrive.

I've heard of having to pay a hotel at time of booking, but it's not usual.

I booked a hotel recently, for a 7-day stay. They charged the first night's stay at the time of booking.

Unless you're a premium customer, a lot of banks charge a % fee (sometimes on top of their normal domestic flat fee) for international wire transfers. So let's say that's 3% + you probably don't get great currency conversion rates from your bank in this case. All I'm saying is make sure you know how much you'd be gaining based on your actual bank. It might be a wash or even a negative.

I do agree it's baffling. The policy is really impractical. Can you hold the resy with your credit card and pay them cash on arrival. That protects the innkeeper from a flake out no show, gets them cash and gets you the best rate with a guaranteed room.

I dunno, maybe it's a misunderstanding on the innkeeper's part?

Random thought - would they accept Zelle or Wise or Venmo or similar? I have know idea about fees or conversion rates but it's a thought

Wire transfers are much more common in Italy since checks were never really used very much. Wise works well and I've used it to pay for or put deposits down on rooms in smaller towns and less touristy places. I'm a little surprised they would be asking for cash ahead of time in Florence, but they are saving the CC fees this way.

You register the app with your account and you can transfer money from that account and they deliver it in euros to the account of the recipient. The receiver should supply their IBAN number and necessary information and you enter it and confirm it is the right destination and transfer the money. As I said this is pretty common among Italians so they'll just paste you the information you need as cryptic as we find it here.

You could also just decide to pay with a credit card when you get there and lose the discount if the hassle and weirdness of the request is not worth it.

Have a great trip - 7 days in Florence sounds great!
=Tod

It is possible they do this for their own security, particularly if your booking is non-refundable. Credit card holders can contest the payment, and it is possible they had some problems before.
Ask for bank transfer to pay in advance if that makes it better for you - it is extremely common in Europe, much more than in the US.

Perhaps explore if https://wise.com/ would be the solution. Might be cheaper than a wire transfer from your bank.

Thank you everyone! I’ll try a wire transfer.