Travel logistics can cause stress on vacation. Things get lost or overlooked when we hurry through airports or out of our hotel rooms. It’s important to slow down, even though it can be difficult when you are in transit. You can organize your travel documents and take a few extra minutes that you don’t usually want to waste. It’s not necessary to check out of your hotel room , finish packing and then call an Uber. You’ll avoid the common mistakes that travelers make if you focus on one thing at a given time.
There are certain rules that you should follow when staying at a hotel. We reached out to Sam Shank, CEO and cofounder of the highly-rated booking app Hotel Tonight, for help in making your check-in and checkout as easy as possible. We’ve put together a list of the top 10 mistakes you should avoid when checking into and out of your hotel.
1. Don’t ask about resort fees
Hidden fees are not something you want to do on vacation. Sometimes, however, resort fees are an inevitable cost. It is best to be aware of these fees so that you can plan for them in your room rate. Shank recommends that you inquire about the resort fees when you check in, even if it is already known. He says that resort fees are becoming more common. “I always ask if resort fees are optional. Sometimes I succeed.”
2. You are not required to request an early check-in or late checkout
A few properties have made moves to eliminate the standard check-in/checkout rules when you book your hotel. From Williamsburg to Rome, the Hoxton hotels have implemented FlexyTime to eliminate restrictive check-in/check-out times. Shank suggests that you be flexible with the type of room you want, in order to increase the chances of the hotel being able to accommodate your request. He says that late checkout and early check-in are easy to do by asking at the front desk. “And, be open to trading a specific room type for early access.”
3. Do not ask for a specific room if you are a light sleeper
Be aware of your sleeping habits when you travel. This is your chance to rest and recuperate. Talk up if your sleeping preferences dictate which room you will be most comfortable in. Shank says, “I am a light sleeper so I ask for a room away from the elevator, on the highest floor, facing the courtyard or street, and facing the least crowded street.”
4. You forgot to sweep your room.
Do you ever stop and say to yourself, “Wallet phone, keys?” before you leave your home? It might be worth it to get started if you don’t and are always at a loss about where your personal belongings are. When you check out of a hotel room, the same “wallet”, phone, and keys” principle applies. Before you leave, make a mental checklist. Shank admits that it is difficult to count the number of device chargers left in hotel rooms. “Now, I ensure that every outlet is checked during my final sweep.”
5. You are not required to provide your contact information at Check-in
Shank makes a compelling case for leaving his information at the front desk when he arrives at a hotel. He says, “I leave my email address at check-in and ask for my folio after checkout.” “This allows me to skip checkout and walk out the hotel knowing that I will have an opportunity to review any charges later.
6. Don’t forget to tip the Housekeeping Staff before Checkout
Servers, bartenders and hair stylists are all things we instinctively tip. It should be second-nature to leave gratuity for housekeeping staff at hotels. It’s a good idea to leave a tip for the housekeeping staff if you forget to tip them during your stay. Shank says, “I always leave a tip to the cleaning staff — they do as many as anyone to ensure I had an amazing stay.”
7. If you’re short on time, wait in line to check out if they have any.
Today’s travel means that you won’t have to wait in line to check out at the front desk. You are responsible for vacating your room promptly, regardless of whether it’s at the agreed-upon checkout time or later. Also, ensure you have a means to review your bill and that staff has access to your credit card for any charges. You can review your bill online or change the billing information in the room. If this is the case, please make arrangements to check out. If Shank has advised you to provide an email address and a card when you check in, you can just go. You can leave your keycards behind in your room, or give them to someone else on your way out so that the hotel can reuse it.
8. You Forgot to Check an Itemized Bill upon Exit
If you are worried about the hotel not sending you a bill, or that your inbox is full, then you can ignore this tip and take extra time to check your bill with the front desk.
9. Do not ask nicely for an upgrade
Shank is in the camp asking for an upgrade if there’s a chance to do so politely. He says that the front desk will be able to allocate rooms at their discretion on the day of arrival. They will likely have some nicer rooms they need to place someone in. You could be that someone, so make sure to ask.
10. Paying too much for an upgrade at check-in
It’s not difficult to get an upgrade at a hotel. You should make the request as soon possible and set a limit for how much you are willing to pay. Shank suggests that you offer a reasonable amount to upgrade if it does come up. My rule of thumb is 10% of what you paid.
