With these 15 common steps, you can avoid serious problems at your hotel that could ruin your stay.
Last week, I discussed handling unacceptable hotel rooms when you arrive and check in. This week, I discuss mistakes that you can avoid by not making any of the below slip-ups that travelers often make during hotel booking and check-in.
Accepting a super deal on a room without checking why:
More often than not, if a hotel deal seems straight from heaven, you better be certain it is. In my experience, you will likely be disappointed by these hotel booking and check-in mistakes.
I saw a great room rate for a planned trip last year. The rate seemed excessively low. That concerned me. I discovered that a major construction project was ongoing across the street, with pile drivers starting daily at 7:00 a.m. I stayed elsewhere and consistently got a great night’s rest.
You can’t be sure you have the best rate for your hotel room without checking multiple sources and comparing rates with taxes and fees included.
Assuming you are getting the best room rate:
If you haven’t checked at least two or three sources for your room rate, you have no idea if you can get your room at a lower rate overall. Make sure that when you compare room rates, the terms and conditions of the rates are comparable.
Choosing a non-refundable room rate:
If you take a room and pay a non-refundable room rate, you might save a bit, but before you pay it, remember that if anything happens and you need to cancel, you won’t get the hotel to refund even a portion of your payment. If you choose to go with it, be sure that you have a confirmation of your reservation and a payment receipt.
Not knowing in what currency the room rate is quoted:
If you’re traveling internationally, be sure you know what currency is being quoted for your room rate so you know exactly what the room costs in your home country’s currency.
Location, location, location must be fully evaluated before booking any hotel.
Not checking the room’s precise location:
When I look for a hotel room, I start with hotel locations. I want to know about their locations concerning sights to see, public transportation, parking, walking, etc. I check the locations to determine if they’re near enough to construction sites that it would be a problem. The old adage, “Location, location, location” applies to hotels. I check on Google Maps or Apple Maps to be sure of each hotel location.
Not taking into account taxes and fees:
In many locales, particularly cities, the room rate is just the start of your payment for your hotel room. Taxes and fees can be a significant percentage of your final bill. Often you’ll pay a state sales tax, local sales tax and hotel occupancy tax. Many hotels have significant fees, including for parking, Internet, gym access, automatic housekeeping gratuities and the dreaded resort fees, etc. When determining if your room is within your budget, add in the taxes and fees. When comparing room rates, you have to add taxes and fees to your comparison to know how the rates really compare.
Beware of vague language like “additional fees may apply.”
Not knowing what’s included or excluded:
It’s critical to know what is or is not included with your room. I’m not just talking about such items as breakfast, meals generally, gym, pool, Internet, parking, etc. I’m also talking about room features. If you want a king bed, is it actually guaranteed as part of your reservation? Is the refrigerator you want guaranteed to be in the room or will you get it only if available? You need to not only know what you get and what’s available for a fee, but you need to know what’s excluded. For example, some hotels exclude children and many hotels exclude pets.
For travelers with disabilities, booking must include a guarantee of having your disability accommodated. You can’t accept a promise that you’ll get it if available at check-in.
For guests with disabilities, not taking accessibility into account:
For those who have accessibility issues or are traveling with someone with accessibility issues, you must be sure that the hotel can accommodate you. You need to be certain that the reservation includes a guarantee of accessible accommodations. You can’t assume you’ll get what you need if the hotel tells you that the special room location is yours “if available” when you check into the hotel.
Not checking terms and conditions:
Before booking, you’ve got to read the “fine print.” You’ve got to know what the hotel’s cancellation policy is, including both cancellation terms and timing. You need to fully understand the check-in and check-out terms too. Those terms can become burdensome according to your flights, other reservations, etc.
Not ensuring the hotel you’re about to book is the hotel you think it is:
Believe it or not, booking the wrong hotel isn’t an uncommon occurrence. Many hotels have similar names, some because they belong to a chain and some to trade on a well known hotel’s reputation. Check the details before you book your reservation.
You’ve got to double check the particulars of your booking before clicking the submit button.
Not reading the booking date/time and other details before you click on submit:
Mistakes happen during the booking process, particularly if you’re booking online. I know, because it’s happened to me. Choosing the dates of a stay a number of years ago was cumbersome and I clicked on the right days in the wrong month. I caught the mistake by reading every detail of the booking out loud to myself before I clicked on the submit button.
Using a debit card to pay for or ensure the hotel reservation:
Credit cards have more protection than debit cards. With a debit card, once the card is used, the money is out of your bank account. If there is any kind of fraud or a hotel problem, you’re less likely to be able to become whole if you’ve paid with a debit card. Especially when paying for anything in advance while traveling, I never use a debit card.
Having a printed or electronic copy of your hotel reservation with booking number with you on your journey is essential.
Not getting a confirmation email of your reservation with booking number:
Reservations can get lost. Problems with reservations can occur for a variety of reasons and can result in serious problems for your hotel stay. Without a booking number, your reservation will likely not be acknowledged, so make sure you have it. Bring a copy with you on your trip, either electronic or printed.
Not enrolling in hotel loyalty programs:
There isn’t much, if any, down side to being a hotel loyalty member and it can get you some perks and points for future stays even at the starting level.
Just like for flights, if available, check into your hotel online and lock in your room as soon as online check-in is open.
Not using online checking into your room:
Over-booking and mistakes occur at hotels periodically, particularly at the most popular ones. Take advantage of online check-in, if available, to ensure you have an assigned room. Just like air travel, check in early to help preserve your reservation in good order.
Sometimes problems occur at hotels with reservations and check-in and later with the rooms themselves. No preparation will eliminate them all, but by not making the mistakes discussed above, you can avoid many of the problems that other guests, who are less informed, will encounter. That will make your stay easier and more problem free.
(Image: Room at Copenhagen Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Copyright © 2015 NSL Photography. All Rights Reserved.)
READ ALSO:
Everyone loves no mandatory hotel fees — it unites America
Senators reintroduce legislation to ground skyrocketing extra fees
After many years working in corporate America as a chemical engineer, executive and eventually CFO of a multinational manufacturer, Ned founded a tech consulting company and later restarted NSL Photography, his photography business. Before entering the corporate world, Ned worked as a Public Health Engineer for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. As a well known corporate, travel and wildlife photographer, Ned travels the world writing about travel and photography, as well as running photography workshops, seminars and photowalks. Visit Ned’s Photography Blog and Galleries.
