Late Check-In Fees?

[KT-Lynn0]

Hey yall!

Someone told me there is a way to apply a Late Check-In Fee? I have a guest that is arriving around 10pm and was not sure what the protocol is for any guests arriving after the designated check-in window of time listed.

Please let me know if this is true or not and if so, where to find the place to apply the fee. 

Thank you!

[Cynthia-and-Chris1]

There is no actual protocol - things can vary by host.  Do you already state in your profile there is a late check-in fee?  Is the guest aware they will be charged a fee for checking in late?  If you haven't already let them know, you need to let them know ahead of time.  Then you'll need to send them a request through the Resolution Center for the additional amount.  The guest will need to accept this request and you should make sure they do before checking in.  If this information is not already listed in your listing, you need to make sure you CLEARLY include it so guests are aware BEFORE making their reservation.

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

@KT-Lynn0

Hi - you have to make this clear in your email exchange before booking.

You can't decide to levy a charge after someone has booked - as it is not part of their agreement with you.

If you do agree a charge upfront, then once they have made the booking you simply go to the reservation and click Change/Cancel. Choose 'change' and you will be able to update the accommodation price with the additional amount. 

Your guest will need to accept the new price, otherwise you just get the original amount.

[Lois-and-Darryl0]

I agree with the other responses here.  I would also recommend considering why you need to invoke a penalty upon late arrival?  You are a new host and do need to establish some history (reviews, # of visits to your home, etc).  Does the late arrival cost you money, or did you need to cancel a trip or other personal plans in order to accept this guest late?  Please be mindful that the hosting relationship is one of accepting people into your home - which takes on a different flavor and atmosphere than staying in a hotel (which also doesn't charge late fees).  If you do feel the need to impose fees, make sure they are clearly and prominently stated on your listing, so people don't overlook it.  We've found that most people don't completely read our listing, so the most important rules need to be prominently place so we don't have surprised and upset Guests.  Good Luck!  Lois

[Ray74]

Please be mindful that the hosting relationship is one of accepting people into your home - which takes on a different flavor and atmosphere than staying in a hotel (which also doesn't charge late fees)

Hotels charge 3 times as much, have night managers, and sound proof hallways...

If your guest comes up with a last minute bizarre tale of why they won't be arriving until after midnight, at no specific time, then I will always charge extra for the inconvenience.  just like those that have a miraculous  "FEE" recovery after claiming to have woken up feeling sick, when asking for a 2 hour check out delay... ???

There are great guests and then there are those that play hosts like idiots. If I was charging $200.00 a night and had 500 rooms I'd be more than happy to stay awake indefinitely...

[Marit-Anne0 · Accepted solution]

@KT-Lynn0

If you can acommodate a late arrival without any extra costs incurring at your end, just allow as late as you can possibly accomodate - within reason of course.  

10pm is a pretty normal arrival - towards midnight on a week-day would perhaps be less convenient.  Set your check-in/check-out times in your listing to suit your needs. 

[John498]

Gosh, I must be alone in liking late arrivals and I combine my listing with work. alte arrivals spend less time in the apartment usually and make cleaning easier in my view. I also see it as part of the service i a 24 hour city like London. I had a 2am check in once and a couple of 1 ams. It is all meat and drink to me.

[Yulianna0]

I’m on your side @John0. And my latest record is 5.30 AM:) I see that people are happy that they can arrive late. With recent level of flight delays it starts to be usual thing

[KT-Lynn0]

Thank you everyone! 

[Nongrat0]

My guest booked from lets say 13th .... in my advertisement it says FLEXIBLE check in and check out but it was ment we do not really care if the guest come evening 10 o clock or check out afternoon 4 o-clock... 
My guest was supposed to arrive 1 o clock AFTER MIDNIGHT ... but now the plane has two hours delay and he will possible not make it before 4 in the morning...  so actually check in is at NOON and not like in this case 4 o clock in the morning ... 
I said its ok i can wait since there is holiday tomorrow in Thailand... so i agreed to after midnight but not to 4 in the morning 😞 

what can i do? 

[Bushra2]

Need urgent help. Normally my check in time is 3pm till 9pm. My guest ask for early check in I gave them the time at 9 am morning. Then they change it to 3pm -4pm- 5.30- then the last is 10pm and still they didn't show up. I told them if they don't check in after 10 I am gonna cancle the booking. In my list I didn't mention about late check in fee but I mention the check in time till 9pm. So in that case can I charge them late check in fee? If so then how much it can be. It is a self check in and they should pick up the key from my work.

[Letti0]

@Bushra2  It needed to be in your House Rules when they booked. So at this point no you cannot. Add it to your House Rules for future use if you want to charge a late check in fee. 

[Bushra2]

Thank you so much. I will change it for my next guest.

[Nongrat0]

Had the same problem here in Thailand. Guests having late flights arriving 3 o´clock in the morning lets say on 14th ... but Booking is from 14th to ...  In every hotel in the world they would have let them wait to 12:00, only we have to get up in the  middle of the night just for the guests to safe another day. 
:
Since you are living in BERLIN its a 24h open capital-city... so actually i think it should not be a big problem for you. 😉 

[Mike1287]

Surely you must state any additional charges. This is how any normal contract works. The other party is then free to accept or decline. 

You are free to state what your extra charges are PRIOR to a contract with the client. 

To add charges AFTER without prior agreement is contrary to basic contract law.