Arriving Late To Your Hotel? Here's What To Do If You're Going To Miss Check-In

Going on a trip comes with a lot of moving parts. First is the planning stage: looking up flights, hotels, things to do, etc. Next is the booking stage during which you whip out your wallet and actually purchase the above. Only after ticking off a long to-do list will you be able to actually go on your trip. But no matter how much you plan, you may encounter hiccups that will set you back and may hurt your wallet.

For example, one surprisingly common hotel mistake even frequent travelers make is missing the check in time. This can happen for a variety of reasons such as flight delays or just general oversight. But no matter the cause, not showing up to a hotel reservation you paid for can have consequences. In most cases, if you don't check in on the day you said you would, the hotel will cancel your entire reservation. They may even charge you for the night even though you won't be staying in the room. 

Sometimes, you can't avoid making this common mistake when booking a hotel stay. But there are steps you can take to save your reservation and your wallet. The smartest thing to do in this situation is to call the hotel as soon as you can. As stressful as your circumstances may be, remain calm and do your best to be polite when speaking with a representative. Depending on the hotel's policy, they may be able to hold your reservation until the following morning, or offer a partial refund. If neither work, or are not acceptable solutions for you, ask the representative to check you in for the day you're missing. You'll be paying for a day you're not staying, but you won't lose your reservation.

No one anticipates their travel plans falling apart. But there are steps you can take to give yourself some peace of mind and prepare for the worst case scenario. One helpful hotel reservation tip is to read the fine print prior to booking. Most hotels have dealt with all sorts of travel mishaps and usually have some sort of policy in place to deal with them. Many have a "no-show" policy that outlines what happens when you miss your reservation without informing the hotel. Their policy may also inform you if you're able to request a late check-in.

Be sure to also check if your hotel offers a flexible or non-refundable rate. A flexible rate will allow you to cancel your reservation without penalty within a certain time frame (usually 24 to 48 hours prior to check-in). Non-refundable rates, while typically cheaper, won't allow you to get your money back, even if the hotel cancels the reservation. You can try to dispute the charge with your credit card company, but it will likely comply with the hotel's policy. If you truly want to play it safe, consider purchasing travel insurance that will cover you in case of last-minute cancellations or emergencies.