Half-day charge for checking in early to a hotel?
Dec 4, 2014 | 9:50 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 93
Half-day charge for checking in early to a hotel?
I recently made a hotel booking online and added a note saying I would be arriving early (int'l flight) and would appreciate an early check-in if a room is available. I got this response:
Checking in between 6 am and 2 pm on day of check will incur a charge of half of the room rate.
I haven't ever seen this before - is this normal? I'm hoping this is just corporate nonsense and the desk will take pity on me.
Checking in between 6 am and 2 pm on day of check will incur a charge of half of the room rate.
I haven't ever seen this before - is this normal? I'm hoping this is just corporate nonsense and the desk will take pity on me.
Dec 4, 2014 | 9:53 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott, IHG, Hyatt something
Posts: 34,516
I recently made a hotel booking online and added a note saying I would be arriving early (int'l flight) and would appreciate an early check-in if a room is available. I got this response:
Checking in between 6 am and 2 pm on day of check will incur a charge of half of the room rate.
I haven't ever seen this before - is this normal? I'm hoping this is just corporate nonsense and the desk will take pity on me.
Checking in between 6 am and 2 pm on day of check will incur a charge of half of the room rate.
I haven't ever seen this before - is this normal? I'm hoping this is just corporate nonsense and the desk will take pity on me.
Dec 4, 2014 | 10:41 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,777
That's kind of the point. People getting off of red eyes just want to get to a hotel, shower and either go to sleep or off to work. Why should the hotel give you that for free? I've shown up at a bunch of hotels around noon for a 14:00 check-in and been given my room if it were available for not charge but showing up let us say at 9:30 for a 14:00 check-in is reasonable to be charged.
Dec 4, 2014 | 10:45 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SMF
Programs: Hilton Diamond-Marriott Platinum-life
Posts: 1,015
[QUOTE
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROCAT
Ugh, thanks. What an unpleasant way to be greeted after a redeye.[/QUOTE]
Seems like a good deal they will have a room ready for you and only charge half price
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROCAT
Ugh, thanks. What an unpleasant way to be greeted after a redeye.[/QUOTE]
Seems like a good deal they will have a room ready for you and only charge half price
Dec 4, 2014 | 10:49 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
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I recently made a hotel booking online and added a note saying I would be arriving early (int'l flight) and would appreciate an early check-in if a room is available. I got this response:
Checking in between 6 am and 2 pm on day of check will incur a charge of half of the room rate.
I haven't ever seen this before - is this normal? I'm hoping this is just corporate nonsense and the desk will take pity on me.
Checking in between 6 am and 2 pm on day of check will incur a charge of half of the room rate.
I haven't ever seen this before - is this normal? I'm hoping this is just corporate nonsense and the desk will take pity on me.
Dec 4, 2014 | 10:56 am
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
It's by no means unfriendly. It's disclosed and provides a significant value after a long-haul flight. Many places used to require you to book the night before. But, they likely came to realize that they could rent the room the night before and count on some # of early AM checkouts.
Dec 4, 2014 | 10:56 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,664
Dec 4, 2014 | 11:22 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 93
It's by no means unfriendly. It's disclosed and provides a significant value after a long-haul flight. Many places used to require you to book the night before. But, they likely came to realize that they could rent the room the night before and count on some # of early AM checkouts.
Dec 4, 2014 | 11:31 am
#15
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Join Date: Nov 2006
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"check-in time is 2pm" is not the same thing as disclosing that there will be a charge for getting into an available room any time before 2pm, which they did not mention in the booking process or confirmation email. I don't begrudge the hotel for maximizing revenue, but any deviation from common practice creates unpleasant surprises, unless there is adequate notification.
Further, you said that when you made the booking they told you "Checking in between 6 am and 2 pm on day of check will incur a charge of half of the room rate." No surprise. They told you.