How to Avoid a Hotel Charge After Checkout (Checklist) (2024)

You wouldn’t hop into a rental car and speed away without first inspecting it for prior dings or damage, right? Hotel rooms are no different. Weary from travel, you may feel inclined to drop your bags just inside the door and crawl into bed, but it’s important to walk through your temporary digs before making yourself at home. A brief inspection of your room is critical in ensuring that you don’t incur a fee for a pre-existing problem.

As with any rental, you’ll be held responsible for damaged property, stains, and even smells. Yes, smells. So, think twice before lighting a cigarette in a non-smoking room. You may not see the damage, but the hotel will smell it and could bill you $150 – $250 for your infraction. Select properties do allow smoking in rooms, but they will still charge for any cigarette burns to the linens, carpeting, or furniture.

What To Check For After Check-In

Examine the space for stains, ripped sheets or curtains, signs of bed bugs, broken bathroom fixtures or furniture, and holes in the wall to avoid any dispute. If you uncover any issues during your initial inspection, relay them to hotel staff immediately. Depending on the problem, they may wish to move you to a different room or even upgrade you as compensation for the inconvenience.

  • Flooring – carpeting and tile
  • Signs of smoking
  • Water damage or leaks
  • Linens and window dressings
  • Electronic, lighting, faucet fixtures & heating/cooling
  • Furniture, art, and structural damage

The risks could be costlier than you might imagine

Extensive repairs put a room temporarily out of commission. In cases where malicious behavior or vandalism are suspected, hotels can charge for each night the room may otherwise be occupied. And in the event that your destructive behaviour disturbed neighbors down the hall, you could be fined for disrupting their stay.

What if you caused the damage?

Accidents happen. If you unintentionally damage something and then immediately explain what happened at the front desk, hotel managers may give you a break on the cost of the repair — or not charge you at all. According to a 2017 hotel cost guide by HVS, midscale properties spend an average of $80 on a single nightstand lamp. The prospect of a repeat guest is far more valuable than that $80 toward a replacement lamp. As long as it’s not extensive, accidental damages can often be forgiven with a sincere, prompt apology.

Nobody can blame a hotel for wanting to keep their property in good condition, but if they missed damage caused from a previous guest, you may be on the hook for those repairs. CLC Lodging works hard to reverse charges for damages that aren’t your fault, but checking your room before settling down is a good practice.

How to Avoid a Hotel Charge After Checkout (Checklist) (2024)

FAQs

Can hotels charge you after you check out? ›

Hotels may charge your credit card when you make a reservation, when you check in, or when you check out, depending on how and where you book the reservation. There's a lot of variation in the way hotels handle credit card charges, even within a single hotel brand or third-party booking website.

Why did the hotel charge me when I checked in? ›

Hotel payments and policies

Generally, hotels can authorize a temporary hold on your card at check-in that covers your expected hotel bill as well as a nominal amount for “incidentals.” If you avail yourself of the minibar snacks left invitingly in your room, for example, the additional hold covers what you've eaten.

How do you fight hotel charges? ›

To win a hotel dispute, you need to gather and present clear, comprehensive documentation that substantiates your case, including communication records, receipts, and policies. Respond promptly and effectively to the dispute through your payment processor, adhering strictly to their guidelines and timelines.

Do hotels care if you check out? ›

Do you have to check-out of a hotel? Hotels prefer that guests check out so they can prepare the room for the next arrival. However, if you have to leave quickly without checking out, you probably won't be penalized.

Do you get charged if you check out of a hotel early? ›

Can I be charged a fee if I decide to check out of the hotel sooner than expected? When you make reservations for several nights at a hotel but decide to depart earlier than expected, you may be assessed an early departure fee. This fee can range from $50 to $100.

What happens if you check out of a hotel without paying? ›

But Incase if you don't pay at the time of check out. The hotel reportedly blame the Front office staff on duty and might charge up their salary to get the revenue (Depends on the hotel and the number of nights you stayed) incase if it's a long stay, be prepared with legal authorities to intervene.

Can a hotel tell you if someone checked in? ›

A hotel cannot disclose what room an individual is staying in. This would be considered a violation of the individual's right to privacy. A hotel, however, may disclose whether or not an individual is a guest at the hotel unless the guest expressly instructed the hotel staff not to do so.

What is the point of checking out of a hotel? ›

Hotel check-out is the process by which a guest formally leaves the hotel, settles any outstanding bills, and returns their room keys. It's the final touchpoint between the guest and the hotel, making it a crucial opportunity to leave a lasting impression.

Do all hotels put a hold on your credit card? ›

Most hotels hold $50 - $200 per night on your credit card for incidentals, on top of the room price. A credit card hold should be removed within 24 hours after you check out. A credit card hold won't affect your credit utilization. The final charge will.

How to get out of a hotel reservation without being charged? ›

Illness. Similar to a bereavement, if you or a close relation becomes seriously unwell, hotels may grant an exception to their non-refundable rates. Be persistent, and don't be afraid to call a few times to see if you get through to a more sympathetic staff member.

Why did my hotel charge me 200 dollars? ›

Each hotel will have its own specific hold amount, generally $50-$200, on top of your room rate (including taxes and fees). While the hotel won't officially charge you until after you check out, the issuer will put aside the hold amount in the interim to ensure you can cover a potential charge.

How to avoid hotel chargebacks? ›

To reduce disputes, present clearly stated Terms and Conditions to customers. It's crucial to communicate policies regarding cancellation, refunds, no-show fees, and additional costs, such as room service, mini-bar charges, and especially fees for damage or cleaning during the booking process.

Do hotels charge you after checkout? ›

Most hotels require payment when you check out, often charging the card on file (that was entered during booking). You don't really have to do anything to make this payment as you usually aren't required to physically check out.

Do hotels know if you are in the room? ›

Some are actually connected to the front desk system and they can check at all times while others they have to take another machine to the door and read its memory. However if they really want to know they can just know on the door and if no answer announce themselves and enter the room to check.

What are the rules for hotel check in and check out? ›

The early check-in from 6 am – 11 pm is charged 50% and before 6 am is 100% the room price of that day. Aside from that, because late checking out could affect negatively the hotels' system and next check-in, the guest is recommended to check out before 12 pm as regulations.

Do hotels charge when you leave? ›

Most hotels require payment when you check out, often charging the card on file (that was entered during booking). You don't really have to do anything to make this payment as you usually aren't required to physically check out.

What happens if you leave a hotel after check out time? ›

If a guest overstays the checkout time, hotels may impose late checkout fees. These fees can vary depending on the hotel's policies and the duration of the delay. In extreme cases, hotels may charge for an additional night if the room is not vacated promptly.

Do hotels charge for late check out? ›

Do hotels charge extra for late checkout? While some hotels may charge anywhere from $20 to the cost of another night's stay for a late checkout, many hotels offer it as a service to qualifying guests at no extra charge.

Can a hotel charge your card without permission? ›

When your register for a hotel and sign your name, you authorize the hotel to make charges on your credit card. You cannot stay in a hotel without giving them a credit card.

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