Do you charge extra for early check in?

[Tahera1]

Most people ask for early check in. At what point do you start to charge for that and what is a reasonable fee? Same for late check out. Thanks! 

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@Tahera1 

We rarely get a request for early check in. In those cases we've said "Fine" if it is convenient for us. If not, an easy "no, but thanks for asking."  It is also rare for us to get a late check out request. If no one is arriving the check out day we are usually OK with it, as long as it is only about an hour. We don't charge for either, as we've already decided the it does not inconvenience us at all, and is a sweet treat for the guest. For us it is good business to be a little flexible and bring in the Golden Rule.

What have you decided? 

[Marie8425]

@Tahera1 

What should be considered first, if there is a high frequency maybe your check in process and time doesn't meet your market needs.  One has to consider how are guests arriving, what is the normal arrival time of their transportation and what is your check in time in relation?  If you start charging to conform to the mark?

[Alicia753]

Hi @Tahera1 ,

For early check-in, many hosts offer a couple of hours free if the property is ready, especially during low-demand periods. However, if the check-in request is for 3 or more hours earlier, it's reasonable to start charging, typically around 25-50% of the nightly rate for an extra half-day stay.

For late check-out, a short extension of 30 minutes to an hour might be complimentary if it doesn’t affect the next guest. For anything beyond that, charging a similar 25-50% of the nightly rate is common. Some hosts also choose to charge a flat fee, like $25-$50, depending on how long the check-out is extended. It’s important to ensure guests are aware of any fees in advance to avoid surprises.

I hope this helps.

All the best,

Upfish Management

[Shayan27]

The last-minute plans are quite common in countries like Pakistan and India. Instead of charging extra for early check-in, we prefer to offer a discount if the dates are available. This approach not only provides flexibility for our guests but also helps us maximize occupancy and avoid leaving the property empty.

We believe this strategy enhances guest satisfaction and builds loyalty.

[Muslim4]

@Tahera1 It can be crucial if you meet guests in person and live far from your property. Especially if a guest's request is on short notice.

I do charge extra for early check ins as well as for late check outs for each hour. However, I usually don't charge if it's less than 2 hours before/after the interval. It's important to let guests know about it and ask them what time they plan to arrive/leave in advance. I'd say 25% per extra full hour of your base nightly rate is reasonable.