Late Checkout Available - For a Fee
Jul 1, 2019, 10:34 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Marin County, California
Programs: Amex Centurion
Posts: 412
Late Checkout Available - For a Fee
Just finishing a two-night staycation at The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. We've been coming here for years and always enjoy it even though it's only a 45 minute drive from where we live it's a nice getaway with a resort, spa and wine country feel. This year we've noticed an upgrade in the food quality and service of room service and poolside at the main pool. Try the Ahi Poke and Lobster Nachos Poolside!
It's typical that we request a late checkout as we make a half day at the spa and/or pool. I was Fairmont Platinum for years and was always able to get 4:00 no problem. This year I am Accor Platinum and went to the front desk to request 4:00 and was politely extended 2:00 PM for free, but 4:00 would cost an extra $50. I agreed because to me it's not a big deal price-wise, but somehow it seems wrong. Unlike Fairmont's program which was a 4:00 guarantee, Accor is based on "availability". The way I see it, it's available, but cough up some dough! Thoughts?
It's typical that we request a late checkout as we make a half day at the spa and/or pool. I was Fairmont Platinum for years and was always able to get 4:00 no problem. This year I am Accor Platinum and went to the front desk to request 4:00 and was politely extended 2:00 PM for free, but 4:00 would cost an extra $50. I agreed because to me it's not a big deal price-wise, but somehow it seems wrong. Unlike Fairmont's program which was a 4:00 guarantee, Accor is based on "availability". The way I see it, it's available, but cough up some dough! Thoughts?
Jul 1, 2019, 12:53 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
It's typical that we request a late checkout as we make a half day at the spa and/or pool. I was Fairmont Platinum for years and was always able to get 4:00 no problem. This year I am Accor Platinum and went to the front desk to request 4:00 and was politely extended 2:00 PM for free, but 4:00 would cost an extra $50. I agreed because to me it's not a big deal price-wise, but somehow it seems wrong. Unlike Fairmont's program which was a 4:00 guarantee, Accor is based on "availability". The way I see it, it's available, but cough up some dough! Thoughts?
I'd consider a little social media pressure for that - maybe a Twitter question to the hotel, cc: @accorhotels?
Jul 1, 2019, 3:55 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Dynasty Frequent Flyer (Elite Plus),Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,866
You should ask why is it available if you pay 50USD to 4pm. If it is not booked for someone else then it is available and then hence available for late checkout which is usually to 4pm. Poor implementation from the hotel. Some Accor hotels in Asia will even happily check me out at 9 or 10pm if I have a late night (early morning flight). I did not see that fairmonts are limited to 2pm late checkouts as well.
Jul 1, 2019, 3:58 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,125
Jul 2, 2019, 1:03 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Saint Brieuc
Programs: HHonors, Accorhotel Platinium, Nordic Choice Platinium
Posts: 966
I had the same kind of problem at a Novotel : https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/acco...request-2.html
The battle was long and hard, but finally I was refunded of the late checkout fee
The battle was long and hard, but finally I was refunded of the late checkout fee
Jul 2, 2019, 1:18 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BNE
Programs: QF Gold, VA Gold, IHG Spire, Accor Plat, Marriot Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,281
Jul 2, 2019, 10:48 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: BAGold; AA3MMPlat; UA1MMGold; FBGold; MarriottAmb; AccorPlat; HHGold; ICPlatAmb; HyattDiscoverist
Posts: 4,378
What is your basis for the latter half of that statement? As Fairmont was privately held, I don't know what its financial situation was, or what the thinking of its owners was in deciding to sell to Accor.
Last edited by rfrost; Jul 2, 2019 at 4:29 pm
Jul 2, 2019, 11:09 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Italy
Programs: Accor Gold, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond , Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,484
If late check out is available paying a fee, it means it’s available ...
it means you are entitled to get free late check out for free, on my points of view.
4.00 PM is the “late check out time” by convention
it means you are entitled to get free late check out for free, on my points of view.
4.00 PM is the “late check out time” by convention
Jul 2, 2019, 9:09 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ASIA
Programs: TK Elite, ALL Plus Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,530
"We can't upgrade you as nothing is available.
But for an extra USD45 we can upgrade you to...."
Jul 3, 2019, 12:34 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,909
@AccorHotelsConcierge : dear Amy, the late checkout becomes more and more an issue in hotels as you can see in this thread and it matches also with my own experience during the last months. Now that most hotels are monetizing the late checkout, they tend to say no to Gold/Plat members or just proposing useless 1pm. It could be beneficial if clear guidelines and reminders were given to hotels like :
- reminding the hotels that late checkout is a Gold/Plat benefit
- upon availability : certainly and we all understand that but they should not play that card without reasons
- 4 pm is the standard, but it’s not forbidden to do more
- no monetization of early check-in/late checkout for Gold/Plat (as said by other posters, if this is available for a fee, then it’s available for free as LCAH Gold/Plat benefit.
Maybe those guidelines already exists, but if the case, they are not very well implemented
- reminding the hotels that late checkout is a Gold/Plat benefit
- upon availability : certainly and we all understand that but they should not play that card without reasons
- 4 pm is the standard, but it’s not forbidden to do more
- no monetization of early check-in/late checkout for Gold/Plat (as said by other posters, if this is available for a fee, then it’s available for free as LCAH Gold/Plat benefit.
Maybe those guidelines already exists, but if the case, they are not very well implemented
Jul 6, 2019, 1:34 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: VIE, TYO, CAX
Programs: LH-SEN
Posts: 104
Credit where it's due, I was given a 4pm checkout at the Auckland airport Novotel last Saturday. No rolling of eyes, air sucked through teeth, mention of exceptional favour - just simply, yes, that's fine. Much appreciated.
Jul 6, 2019, 7:39 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ASIA
Programs: TK Elite, ALL Plus Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,530
You will generally find that the benefits work well in APAC. Accor has a very capable Loyalty team working this market (out of SG) and they manage and communicate the loyalty message to properties well.
Jul 16, 2019, 3:32 am
#15
Company Representative, Accorhotels
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: France
Programs: ALL - Accor Live Limitless
Posts: 751
@AccorHotelsConcierge : dear Amy, the late checkout becomes more and more an issue in hotels as you can see in this thread and it matches also with my own experience during the last months. Now that most hotels are monetizing the late checkout, they tend to say no to Gold/Plat members or just proposing useless 1pm. It could be beneficial if clear guidelines and reminders were given to hotels like :
- reminding the hotels that late checkout is a Gold/Plat benefit
- upon availability : certainly and we all understand that but they should not play that card without reasons
- 4 pm is the standard, but it’s not forbidden to do more
- no monetization of early check-in/late checkout for Gold/Plat (as said by other posters, if this is available for a fee, then it’s available for free as LCAH Gold/Plat benefit.
Maybe those guidelines already exists, but if the case, they are not very well implemented
- reminding the hotels that late checkout is a Gold/Plat benefit
- upon availability : certainly and we all understand that but they should not play that card without reasons
- 4 pm is the standard, but it’s not forbidden to do more
- no monetization of early check-in/late checkout for Gold/Plat (as said by other posters, if this is available for a fee, then it’s available for free as LCAH Gold/Plat benefit.
Maybe those guidelines already exists, but if the case, they are not very well implemented
Thank you for alerting us, we're going to investigate on this issue and keep you update on the evolution of this case.
Best regards,
Amy
