Originally Posted by
MacDaddie
.I've watched people who had overnight flights cancelled arrive a day late and been told that their 5, 7 or whatever day prepaid stay was no longer valid since they didn't arrive on the proper date. Needless to say that was an ugly conversation and I agree with the customer that he paid for 5 days and if he chooses not to use the first one that is his choice.
Part of the reason for the requirement to arrive as scheduled is the payment policy of the third party seller. Expedia as just one example, permits a hotel partner to charge a one night room and tax charge for any prepaid bookings that do not show by the morning after the scheduled arrival date. If the traveler wants to arrive more than a day late the hotel would receive no additional compensation other than the first night even if the guest then does not show up at all - so the hotel could get stuck holding the room empty for the guest that second night, but not able to get paid.