Uninvited guest had a key to my room / I was given a key to an occupied room
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
This has happened to me couple of times the other way. I have been given a key to a room that is already occupied. Luckily the other party has never been in the room when I have entered.
#47
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: United Arab Emirates & Arizona, USA
Programs: UA MM/1P, EK Au, QR, TK, Marriott Life Ti, Hilton Dia, IC Dia, Hyatt Glob, Accor Pt, Shangri-La
Posts: 4,520
We all know this happens because to err is human. This doesn't mean we should accept it with a "things happen" attitude or "nothing bad happened so let it go". When something like this happens the hotel should step up and go above and beyond to make amends... to show a real concern for their error.
And why is everyone's first inclination whenever a service provider makes a mistake to pull out the "compensation" card?
#49
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: DXB
Programs: EK Gold, SPG Plat, Radisson Gold, BA Silver HHonors Silver A Club, CSA Gold
Posts: 233
Same thing happened to me in the Sheraton, Warsaw. Unfortunately for the poor chap who walked into my room, I dont take kindly to being awoken by strangers and he left with a few choice words following him into the corridor.
Stopped by the front desk and let them know the next day, didnt ask for compensation, and recieved a sincere apology. The next time I stayed there however I walked in on the biggest 4 room suite I have ever seen ^
Stopped by the front desk and let them know the next day, didnt ask for compensation, and recieved a sincere apology. The next time I stayed there however I walked in on the biggest 4 room suite I have ever seen ^
#50
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 453
since you went there ... I know 3 different single women who when travelling by car, always have a handgun with themselves. That's why I never want to be given a key to an occupied room.
#51
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston
Programs: SPG Plat, MAR Lifetime Plat, UAMM, AA3MM
Posts: 119
Here is where I disagree. Indeed, "nothing bad happened so let it go." Yes, this is an unfortunate mistake, but, seriously, what is the probability that anything really adverse would come from such a case? And why is everyone's first inclination whenever a service provider makes a mistake to pull out the "compensation" card?
Picture yourself sleeping in your hotel room and opening your eyes... there's a person standing in front of you. Isn't that enough to scare the living daylights out of you... even if the person was Mother Theresa?
The hotel should make a nice gesture to the guest in this case... that's all I'm saying.
#52
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,347
I'm happy to be corrected and told that all of these are high security systems integrated with the reservation computer, but then it wouldn't be possible to get a key to an occupied room (unless the previous guest was falsely checked out in the system or something).
#53
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: spg gold, CO Platinum, MR Gold
Posts: 619
It may be integrated in some places, but in many hotels it's another machine on the side -- as far as I can tell, the clerk punches in a room number, number of days, and swipes a blank card to hand to you.
I'm happy to be corrected and told that all of these are high security systems integrated with the reservation computer, but then it wouldn't be possible to get a key to an occupied room (unless the previous guest was falsely checked out in the system or something).
I'm happy to be corrected and told that all of these are high security systems integrated with the reservation computer, but then it wouldn't be possible to get a key to an occupied room (unless the previous guest was falsely checked out in the system or something).
it would be impossible to check someone into a room that is occupied as the hotel management system will alert the clerk. I think the problem lies where the morning staff preblocked guests and pre-made the keys (usually elite guest keys are pre-made) and somewhere along the line the room number was changed and the clerk failed to write down the different number and voila, you have been "checked into" an occupied room.
#54
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston
Programs: SPG Plat, MAR Lifetime Plat, UAMM, AA3MM
Posts: 119
It may be integrated in some places, but in many hotels it's another machine on the side -- as far as I can tell, the clerk punches in a room number, number of days, and swipes a blank card to hand to you.
I'm happy to be corrected and told that all of these are high security systems integrated with the reservation computer, but then it wouldn't be possible to get a key to an occupied room (unless the previous guest was falsely checked out in the system or something).
I'm happy to be corrected and told that all of these are high security systems integrated with the reservation computer, but then it wouldn't be possible to get a key to an occupied room (unless the previous guest was falsely checked out in the system or something).
Stay safe everyone.
#55
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 352
It happens more frequently than imagined...
I disagree with the post arguing that both sides were at fault (the OP for not bolting the door), but I immediately got into the habit of bolting the door even if I am going to be in the room for a few minutes after my own experience. I checked into the Amsterdam Marriott hotel many years ago, and was only in the room for a few minutes when another guest opens the door and wheels in his suitcase. I said, "Sorry, I was here first", and then always began bolting hotel doors!
#56
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
I can't claim this has ever happened to me, although I'm amused of how many people "have been on both sides of this".
This is a situation where compensation is warranted and to those who shrug your shoulders and say, big deal get on with life, you are severely discounting the situation IMO. I honestly never use my safety lock when in a hotel and never even really though to do so, but I see now why it would be a good idea. If nothing else it was an education.
This is a situation where compensation is warranted and to those who shrug your shoulders and say, big deal get on with life, you are severely discounting the situation IMO. I honestly never use my safety lock when in a hotel and never even really though to do so, but I see now why it would be a good idea. If nothing else it was an education.
#57
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Priority Platinum, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 38
I was given a key to an occupied room at a Four Points. A couple weeks prior to that it happened to my co-worker at the same hotel. They gave me 2,000 points (a free night there is 4,000) and he just was given a new room.
#58
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Formerly Box 350, Boston Mass, Oh two one three four. Now near Beverly Hills 90210
Programs: Loyal Order of Water Buffalos
Posts: 3,913
If you reserve and pay for a Private Room to sleep in, and they didn't give you a Private Room (and I wouldn't be able to sleep if someone came in during the night, even if I bolted the door and put the dresser up against it afterward), then you shouldn't have to pay for it.
Many years ago I checked into a low-budget hotel with a friend. Left our bags, went out for dinner and some drinks, got back to our room around 11:30. Opened door, there were other people asleep in the bed. Our bags were still there, so we apologized, grabbed our bags, and went to the front desk. Only room available was a suite, so we gladly headed there. Could hear the other guests we had disturbed shouting at the front desk from that suite, though.
Many years ago I checked into a low-budget hotel with a friend. Left our bags, went out for dinner and some drinks, got back to our room around 11:30. Opened door, there were other people asleep in the bed. Our bags were still there, so we apologized, grabbed our bags, and went to the front desk. Only room available was a suite, so we gladly headed there. Could hear the other guests we had disturbed shouting at the front desk from that suite, though.
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,653
Exactly. Or how about walking in on a SWAT team preparing for a drug bust in an adjoining room. Think they might be a little jumpy if the door just popped open while they're preparing to take down a potentially well armed dealer? NOW, let's talk compensation.
#60
Join Date: Jun 2002
Programs: UA 1MM, JAL JGC Diamond, SPG Lifetime PLT, AMEX PLT
Posts: 1,231
Usually, I did not like to talk about the compensation.
But in this case, at least points spent should be back to OP's account.
If I were the GM, I will give you a free night next time with upgrade and make sure OP has the comfortable stay.
This is not a noise/TV/Plumbing issues.
The security is one of the most important issues the hotel should maintain.
If no one was in the room, someone with a key could steal anything, and usually the hotel will not be responsible for the items left in the room, right?
If someone in the room(OP's case), it might create much bigger problem.
I know it happens frequently and I did have the experience, too.
However, this is a serious mistake by the hotel!
But in this case, at least points spent should be back to OP's account.
If I were the GM, I will give you a free night next time with upgrade and make sure OP has the comfortable stay.
This is not a noise/TV/Plumbing issues.
The security is one of the most important issues the hotel should maintain.
If no one was in the room, someone with a key could steal anything, and usually the hotel will not be responsible for the items left in the room, right?
If someone in the room(OP's case), it might create much bigger problem.
I know it happens frequently and I did have the experience, too.
However, this is a serious mistake by the hotel!