Book Fifth Night Free Just to Check out Later
May 26, 2019, 11:50 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 925
Book Fifth Night Free Just to Check out Later
I have an upcoming stay for four nights. My flight home doesn't take off until 9:00 pm. Given that Marriott/Bonvoy offers the fifth night Free, is there a downside to booking five nights but just leaving at 7:00 pm rather than staying the night?
May 26, 2019, 12:05 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
No downside. Just don't bother telling them you're leaving at 7pm. Let them check you out automatically the next morning. Makes for less confusion.
Cheers.
Cheers.
May 26, 2019, 1:16 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: United Silver, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 378
I actually booked a couple of four night reward stays with fifth night free at a ski resort property in high season next year. The thing is I really only need four nights each time. The remaining fifth night is selling for about 800$ a night each time. Too bad there isn't some way to sell the night back to the property for a credit or something. Could be a win/win I think.
May 26, 2019, 2:27 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: MR-Amb, Hyatt-Globalist, AA-EXP
Posts: 1,744
This. Definitely less confusing, plus you'll get the extra night for status purposes. If you actually check out early, you'll only get 4 nights credit.
May 26, 2019, 9:44 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
Just make sure not to leave the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door when you leave. If happen to be awake the next morning, checking out online or by calling the hotel and saying "I left but didn't get a chance to tell anyone" is a nice thing to do because Housekeeping can go in and clean the room right away. That action might help another guest get into a room a few hours early.
May 26, 2019, 9:50 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,481
The only marginal downside is some localities, mostly in Europe, charge per night taxes. You are liable for taxes for fifth night if you book five nights. It is typically only a few Euros though.
May 26, 2019, 10:05 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Virginia
Programs: HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott nobody
Posts: 470
I actually booked a couple of four night reward stays with fifth night free at a ski resort property in high season next year. The thing is I really only need four nights each time. The remaining fifth night is selling for about 800$ a night each time. Too bad there isn't some way to sell the night back to the property for a credit or something. Could be a win/win I think.
[To clarify, I meant don't tell them so that they may sell the fifth night. Just leave and check out thru the app the next day]
Last edited by EdofFX; May 26, 2019 at 10:12 pm
May 27, 2019, 2:21 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 31
5th night
No downside. I do this all the time even if I will not be using the room. You get 1 additional elite night credit if nothing else.
May 27, 2019, 2:49 pm
#11
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
I actually booked a couple of four night reward stays with fifth night free at a ski resort property in high season next year. The thing is I really only need four nights each time. The remaining fifth night is selling for about 800$ a night each time. Too bad there isn't some way to sell the night back to the property for a credit or something. Could be a win/win I think.
May 27, 2019, 2:59 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Why bother booking the extra free night if you aren't planning to use it? I understand if you think there's a chance you'll stay for a 5th night but otherwise total price is the same for 4 vs. 5 -- so you're just taking inventory from someone else (either paying cash or points)
James
May 27, 2019, 6:40 pm
#13
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May 27, 2019, 6:51 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
Why bother booking the extra free night if you aren't planning to use it? I understand if you think there's a chance you'll stay for a 5th night but otherwise total price is the same for 4 vs. 5 -- so you're just taking inventory from someone else (either paying cash or points)
May 27, 2019, 7:29 pm
#15
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Mixing posts here. OP said 9pm and I totally get that and said as much. This reply was to another poster who said they booked a bunch of 5th night free even though they only need 4 nights and I was curious about the rationale of that