I have never stayed at a hotel and not requested and been granted a late checkout. I'm not trying to get away with anything, but it seems that my travel plans always call for me to leave a little bit later than that.

However, I occasionally read postings on here or just hear casual conversation from other people in which it seems like their requesting or getting a late checkout is a big deal and rare.

Is it? How often do you request one? Have you ever been denied? Am I some sort of insenesitive pig for always requesting one?

I don't think you're an insensitive pig. You are an insensitive OAF. There's a difference.

In all seriousness, that's actually a smart thing to do. I always ask for one. I was refused one in Boston once, because they had a full house for that Sunday. Wasn't a big deal because I just left my bag behind the desk.

I bet g_leyser, on his Ask me a Hotel Question thread, has answered this question.

Yup, I sure have - on page 1

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...ML/007472.html

But, I'll save you the time of searching through the thread:

"Late check-outs are admittedly very inconsistent. If for example you are checking out on a saturday and the hotel is going to be full that saturday night, you are very unlikely to get a late check out because the hotel wants to get those rooms turned over ASAP. Along the same lines if you are checking out on a sunday and there are very few people checking in that night, you should have good luck. Here's a hint: when you call to ask for late check-out, first ask "is the hotel going to be very full tonight?" If they say no, you've got leverage. Its sneaky, but it works. As far as tipping for the late check-out, most of the time its cut and dry whether or not the agent can extend your check-out time, so you will probably be tipping for something you could have got for free anyways."


------------------
"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack

I saw g_leyser's message, which was one of the places I saw on here that made me think it wasn't a totally normal thing that is granted 100% of the time.

I'm not curious from the hotel perspective, but from the hotel-goer's perspective if most people see the hotel's checkout time as sacrosanct.

One of the benefits of Starwood's program for certain elite level members is "Guaranteed" 4pm Check-Out.

But even there it is inconsistant if or how hard you have to push for it. See:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/003895.html

Most return flights from South America start at about 9PM-11:00PM. In the past two years they have let me be in the room till 6-7 PM without much fuss. Only once did a certain chain charge me 1/2 tariff to have the room till 11:00 PM -- Oh ! Well.

---

I agree! In my personal experience, only Starwood has always provided me with a late checkout upon request - and I cannot say the same for either Hyatt (2nd place), Hilton (3rd place), or Marriott, (4th place)! Of course, having top tier elite staus, (I'm only HHonors Gold) does surely help!

The Peninsula has a 24 hour checkout policy, meaning that your checkout time is 24 hours after your checkin.

d

The Four Points LAX is another hotel that has a 24 hour occupancy program available, which at this property (in my experience), can be combined with the Starwood 4pm check-out to get your stay extended past the 24 hour mark.

This is especially welcomed by me as I don't sleep on flights and after returning to the U.S. at about 6am from Asia, I'm too tired to drive safely, and I head instead right to my held room and start to decompress.

Plus since their $109 Park 'N Fly rate qualifies for 24 hour service, my parking is covered as well!

Been a Starwood/Sheraton Gold for 20 years now, and that 'AUTOMATIC' 4pm checkout has been worth its weight in Gold - literally. The UN and FAA have seemingly decreed that EVERY flight to Australia from EVERY point on earth may not depart until about 11pm. Certainly UA to OZ from LAX and SFO are.

And I fly UA to and from South America a couple of times a year, and yes, their flights to and from are late night suckers too. And in 2 weeks I fly to Mexico from SFO at 10 minutes past midnight on MX.

As these flights often run to 14 hours flying, a shower and freshen up before heading to airport is a huge benefit after a final long day of touring. As United RCC are designed and outfitted and run by failed Aeroflot staff, no such space age niceties like showers exist in any North American club.

I never push it, but have often politely inquired around lunchtime whether a 5pm or later check-out might be possible. Have almost never had a "NO" from Starwood group hotels, but would respect their decision if they did.

A lowly Gold Hilton card generally gets a 3-4pm check out if you are sweet about asking the question, and even had a Elliot Hyatt SEA last month agree to same and have no status at all with them.

Always 'ask' is my motto. As the Australian expression goes ... "never die wondering".

------------------
~ Glen ~ Calling all United 1K Members - please join .. www.1Kflyers.com

Not IMO.

every 3rd or 4th stay.

Never.

wouldn't think so, are you?

Since I frequently need to leave for a flight before the checkout time, I probably only ask about 20-25%of the time, and it's usually only for an extra hour or so. I've almost always been successful. I do remember being turned down by the Park Hyatt (when it existed) in BA (and I was a diamond at the time) and somewhere (I think it was an R-C) in the US. I also remember that the Cairo Marriott OFFERED let me stay until 6 pm without charge because I had a late flight.