Checking out at 7pm!!??

[Whitney274]

Hello Airbnb community I have a guest requesting to check out at 7pm Jan 2 do I charge 50$ for late check out or 100$?

let me know how you would communicate with them please 

[Joan2709]

@Whitney274 

Most Hosts consider a late checkout to be 1hour after checkout time or at the most 3hrs. Asking to check out at 7pm is really staying another night IMHO. You can offer a discount (if you want for him to extend his stay for an addl night if you don't have another guest), or offer a 1:00PM late checkout for a fee:

Hi (Guest Name)

Thank you for reaching out! We always strive to accommodate our guests’ requests for late checkouts when possible. Unfortunately, I’m unable to offer a late checkout at 7pm, as we wouldn’t have enough time to prepare the unit for the next guest arriving at 3pm.

However, I’d be happy to offer you a couple of options:

• You can extend your stay by an extra night at a discounted rate.
• Or, if you prefer a later checkout, I can offer a 1:00pm checkout for just $50.

Please let me know which option works best for you, and we’ll be happy to make the necessary arrangements! Looking forward to hearing from you!

[Whitney274]

This is exactly what I was looking for thank you well written I may add some flowers but thank you I needed this.   I was thinking 

Hello Sir 

I want to say yes I will have to move my housekeeper and her schedule is set.  What I am open to is having you make a donation or payment for the day.  As late check out complimentary would be fine if you were asking for a couple hours.  I am going to have other things to juggle so let me know how much you are willing to pay for half a day and we can work it out.  If not you are welcome to leave your car on location with your luggage in it.  Any other edits welcome

[Trude0]

Or, if you don’t have another guest checking in that day, just offer the (very) late check out for free - for an almost guaranteed great review. This would be my approach.

[Joan2709]

@Trude0 

I agree...do that whenever possible for sure. The only issue is if she allows same day bookings, and this guest doesn't check out until 7pm, she would miss out on revenue from an actual booking that day since her check-in time is 3pm.

[Trude0]

True, not all hosts have the flexibility to offer very late check outs. 

I’m a rather lazy host myself, and never do same-day turnovers. I always have 2 unbooked nights between bookings. This makes hosting much less stressful (I have a full time job, and I clean my listing myself), and it also allows me to offer guests appreciated flexibility. Most of my guests come for long weekends anyway, so I don’t think I’m missing many bookings by blocking weekdays between bookings. 😀

[Whitney274]

What would you charge and how would you frame the request please thank you in advance for any info 

[Frances3408]

@Whitney274  @Joan2709 gave some great answer to your questions yesterday on how to word and charge.

I would add when a guest is already asking for a late check out be careful how it impacts your cleaning and linen schedule as well as any adjacent bookings.7pm is really another whole day.

I like to offer late weekend check outs to 3pm at no extra cost on the morning of check out when it suits me. But when asked for early on I prefer to be non committal and state I cant guarantee but will advise on the day, unless they want to lock in an extra night at a discount, say 30%-50% if not peak time (again if it suits me).

When I know I'm doing same day turnarounds (such as I had on Saturday) I always warn in advance that a late check out wont be possible, and why.

[Whitney274]

I dont have someone in there it is more about wear and tear and supplies letting them use it for free as this is a business 

[Whitney274]

I am already a super host and make the space super cozy and clean he already sent me a message of how perfect it is and what a great find!  I have a great review I am unclear that hoisting him another entire day for free is good for the supplies and my place I feel he paid for 5 nights so if he is staying using water etc  your feedback is so appreciated 

[Bhumika]

Hi @Whitney274 , many experienced members have shared great advice and different approaches regarding your question! What did you decide to do in the end? Did you eventually charge a late check out fee from the guest?

If there is a particular approach from the comments below, that helped you solve your question— please don't hesitate to mark it as a top answer! Your solution and approach might help others in case they come across a similar query.

We look forward to hear your insights! 

[John5097]

@Whitney274 

I think it's best to state whatever policy you choose in your listing in Other Things to Note. 

For me I state "It takes three hours to clean between guest so early check in and late check out is generally not available." 

I also send guest all their check in info in the very first message and include the door code and the date and times of their stay. No one has complained and most, especially solo travels love the fact there are set boundaries, that is their space for that time. 

If guest request an early check in, I already plan on one hour, so I message back. 

"Thank you so much for asking. I wish there was more flexibility but the place takes three hours to clean so already cutting it close. However guest love how clean it is!  I can offer one hour early check in, so you would be checking in at 2pm. I hope this helps!" 

This always works. 

You will also find many host have discovered that guest who push boundaries will just keep pushing more boundaries, so many don't have early check in or late check out, or limit it to one hour. 

Most of the time when guest requested early check in they show up 6 hours past check in anyway.

At any rate you can simply state your check in and check out policy but don't be surprised when they check out even later than the late check out you agreed to and still mark you down for something else.

I like just having a policy and sticking to it. In the past I have offered an early check in, for example, because there happened to be a night between bookings, but one of the reservations was canceled, and I forgot about offering the early check in, and another guest booked. You get the idea. You don't want a guest checking in when the other guest haven't checked out. So for that reason never allow a check in or check out more than one hour. Also don't let guest leave a vehicle. 

Sorry for the long post as I'm very much enjoying my stress free hosting experience. I'm also not greedy and guest are very happy with it, with everything being clear and accurate. 

[John5097]

Wanted to add that there is no perfect policy. 

Even with mine I have gotten a 4 star review before I even reached my goal of 400 consecutive 5 star reviews. It was only one, but it was because the guest didn't read the listing and was expecting early check in, late check out, amenities that clearly were not included. So nothing is perfect but I would prefer a less stress and having all policies in place can still do ok. 😁