MePlatPremier

There is quite a difference in terms of assurances for the property between a card-present and a card-not-present cc transaction. Hotels will always prefer and insist with guests on the former, but will not shy away from charging a card-not-present if need may be.

Credit card issuers defer a lot to hotels and will accept any hotel charges as long as the PAN number and the expiration date are correct and there’s credit on the account.

tkelvin69

If you elect just not to physically check out I would, out of respect for incoming guests, to call/text/email the hotel after you have left so they can prepare the room. We all like an early check in and not having a room available for not letting the property know you are gone is in poor taste.

Antarius

A lot of hotels also take a signature on check in, which is a direct acceptance of future charges. A lot of hotels have "express checkout" bins too

No different than opening a bar tab and walking out, and now many places take a signature ahead authorizing a 20% tip or whatever if they close you out.

GoPhils

Why put DND up? I would say DO NOT put DND up since you wouldn’t be able to take it down before checkout (not that most hotels honor DND anyway).

Antarius

I'm surprised that a hotel that knows you and has so much of your business would do this. At hotels that I frequent, they let me change my stay dates etc. without any fuss or charge at the last minute (occasionally travel plans change). It goes both ways, their flexibility and good treatment helps me and I frequent the property and have brought them some business as I have recommended them highly to others.

Often1

Customs and policies differ by country.

Typical US property, just don't check out, don't leave a DND sign up, and get your emailed folio whenever the property processes it.

Other places, stick with local custom. As others note, card present, reviewing the folio with a staff member and the like all still happen. Not to mention the places which hang onto your luggage (if you have any) while they inspect the room.

MSPeconomist

It wouldn't hurt to ask to set up express checkout if the hotel offers it.

SHLTP

I was surprised too. I have actually sent a lot of people to them too.

This was actually one of my first Marriott experiences ever (I'm SPG loyalist) and made me realize the different customer service levels.

Subsequent stays on Marriott flagged properties have been great if all goes well but totally awful if something goes wrong.

I got Hyatt Globalist this year. I hadn't stayed in a Hyatt in 5 years

Antarius

The property I was referring to in my case is a legacy Marriott, so I don't think its as cut and dry as pre-merger spg vs pre-merger Marriott.

I'm Hyatt Globalist in addition to Ambassador and do feel that Hyatt does a better job at making their top tier elites feel special.

Dr. HFH

And you see that as a Marriott issue rather than a hotel issue?

Antarius

TGLoyalty

If it’s a long stay and I’ve charged stuff to the room I just settle up the day before as “I have an early flight and Don’t want any problems”

I then leave and always checkout through the app if I can. If I’m leaving when it’s typical housekeeping/turndown time I’ll put a dnd sign up if not then no need. As long as you check out very early via the app it shouldn’t cause any issues for anyone looking to check in early.

if you are planning on leaving before about 2am never physically check out at front desk as you won’t get the night credit.

mozilla

Would love to gain a little bit more insight. Although I never did this myself - or at least not that I recall - wouldn't a US hotel override DND after check-out time (of course, after calling and knocking)? I can't imagine them calling your account phone # asking if you're still in your room "because it's 7 days past check-out time and well the DND sign is still up and just to let you know we charged your card for the extra week at rack rate".

In all hotel regulations that I've seen, overstay charges are incurred when a room is actually occupied after check-out time, not solely because the DND sign is still up. More than once I've seen DND signs that were moved from door to door, it seems to be a favorite pastime prank for high school sports teams playing away from home. Based on the general sloppiness of many travelers, I can also imagine that a large US hotel has guests leaving the DND sign on post-checkout practically every morning.

I'm curious, except out of evident courtesy for the housekeeping staff, is there a reason why leaving the DND sign up is specifically a faux pas at US hotels?

(This topic was featured in TalkMail 12/03)

cfischer

That's plain wrong. I have gotten credit more than once this year checking out between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Is it tricky? Absolutely. Is there automatically no credit, hell no.

fredman

Ok, let me ask this: what happens if you are with a lady and decide to spend the 5th night in her room,
and maybe it is another hotel across town, and you are both flying out early the next AM?