Travel Tip: Hotel Check-Out
June 27, 2018
Here are some important tips when it comes to hotel check-out:
Double Check the Safe
Make sure your safe is emptied before leaving the room. One way you can remember is to leave one of your shoes inside the safe! Don’t forget to also check under the bed, in the drawers, all the room outlets for your electronic chargers and the bathroom. If you have an early flight or checkout time, pack up as much as you can the night before; so that last-minute rush isn’t too harried.
Double Check Your Bill
You’ll want to scan your bill for anything that looks fishy — such as charges for snacks or drinks when you didn’t touch the minibar, or a dinner in the hotel restaurant that was charged to the wrong room number. Be sure to dispute these charges right away and get an updated copy of the receipt before you check out.
Use a Credit Card
Just in case you need to dispute a charge, paying with a credit card is the best way. Disputing your bill after paying with cash is a lot harder than working with a credit card company to get a chargeback. If you pay with a debit card, you may not have the protection to challenge a charge. Also, some identity thieves like to target hotel guests. Most credit card companies are set up to detect suspicious behavior, but some debit cards aren’t as well protected.
Tip the Housekeepers
Though easy to forget, it’s always polite to leave some money for the people keeping your room clean. If it helps, write yourself a Post-it note reminder.
Book the Airport Shuttle in Advance
If you’re staying in an airport hotel before an early flight, chances are the property offers a free shuttle — but don’t assume you can just show up at 5:30 a.m. and hop on. Shuttle spots can be limited, and many hotels recommend (or even require) that you reserve your place the night before. Once you make a reservation, be sure to arrive on time. The front desk might give you a courtesy call if you aren’t in the lobby when the van is ready to leave, but with other passengers in a hurry to make their flights, the shuttle might not wait long.
