When booking a hotel room for a night, you are paying to use it and the various amenities and facilities for 24 hours. This entails checking in anytime after 2 pm and checking out by 11 am the following day.
However, whether traveling for business or pleasure, some things may take place unexpectedly. Some of them may require you to check out earlier than expected, including the same day as you checked in.
And you are now wondering if you can leave the hotel on the very same day as you stepped foot inside it.
So, can I check in and out of a hotel on the same day?
Checking out on the check-in day is just like checking out early, which means that it is possible. However, some hotels may charge their guests with the so-called early check out fee for checking out earlier. Travelers who do not wish to spend the night may get a room for a few hours.
Regardless if you need to check in and out of a hotel on the same day deliberately or unexpectedly, keep on reading. Below you will come across some of the most important matters that you need to know about it.
Ways to Check Out the Same Day With No Fees
There are different reasons why you may need to check in and out of a hotel on the same day.
For instance, if you have to wait several hours between connecting flights and don’t want to stay for a long time at the airport, getting a nearby hotel room is a fantastic idea. It allows you to have a bed that you can use for relaxing or taking a nap.
In some instances, checking out on the same day as checking in can be due to an unexpected change of plans on your business trip or grand getaway.
Checking out earlier than expected need not be a big issue money-wise if you booked the hotel room for one night only.
However, it is a completely different matter if you booked it for a few or several days as the hotel will charge you the entire bill of your stay.
This is especially true if you went for a non-refundable booking. The good news is that there are cases where you can get the rest of your money back.
For instance, you may want to check out immediately and stay in a different hotel if, upon entering the premises or your hotel room, it is not as advertised.
You can tell the front desk personnel to let you go and give back your money unless the hotel welcomes a lawsuit for false advertising and a terrible online review.
It is also possible for the hotel to refund your money if you are sick and cannot stay in the hotel any longer.
The same is true if there is a death in the family, provided that you will be able to produce a document stating that it is a fact.
Other than the rest of your money, the hotel management may also give you its deepest condolences.
Early Check-Out Fee: A Potential Surprise
Checking in and out of a hotel on the same day is a win-win situation, which means that all parties can benefit from it. As the guest, it allows you to go about the rest of your travel plans.
On the other hand, the hotel can enjoy reduced utility costs as no more water and electricity will be consumed until such time that another guest occupies the room.
However, you may be surprised to learn about an early check out fee straight from the front desk personnel’s mouth. If you skip checking out, its existence will make its presence known on your credit card bill.
An early check out fee can cost anywhere from $50 to $75, although it can be higher or lower, depending on the hotel’s policy.
For instance, according to a website, you may be charged an early check out fee equivalent to a night’s stay. As always, the cost of an early check out fee will vary from hotel to hotel as well as from situation to situation.
The front desk personnel will usually tell you about this fee upon checking in, although not all hotels impose an early check out fee.
During peak seasons, when a lot of tourists are trying to book with hotels, an early check out fee may be forfeited.
As a matter of fact, the hotel will appreciate an early check out so that the housekeeping staff may be able to clean and prepare the room for the next guest right away.
Getting in touch with the hotel is a surefire way to know whether you will have to pay for an early check-out fee if you are planning on leaving the hotel earlier than the expected check-out time.
What to Do If You Don’t Plan on Staying the Night
If you are quite sure that you won’t need a hotel room for 24 hours, it is a good idea to book for a few hours only.
These days, many hotels are offering such. Some allow the guests to book hotel rooms anywhere for as short as two hours to less than a day.
There are websites as well as smartphone apps that allow you to get a hotel room for the day. Using them is the way to go if you wish to enjoy top-notch accommodation, even for just a few hours.
With the availability of hotel rooms for day use, you can save yourself from getting a cheap motel room.
It is a wonderful solution for you if you are looking for a nice and comfortable place where you can attend to your work or business needs.
It is also a great idea to opt for it if there is a sizable gap between your connecting flights, and spending hours at the airport is not an option.
Even without using a website or smartphone app, it is possible to look for a hotel that allows you to get a room for less than a day.
For instance, you may pick up the phone and ask your preferred hotel if such an option is around. You may also ask family and friends who frequently travel if they know of hotels that offer rooms for a few hours only.
Booking a hotel room for the day if you have no plans to spend the night is a great way to save money and spare yourself from shelling out cash for an early check out fee if imposed.
Just Before You Pack Your Bags and Check Out
You can check in and out of a hotel on the same day, and you don’t need to have a valid reason for doing so.
However, just make sure that you are willing for an early check out fee to appear on your credit card bill. The good news is that not all hotels impose the said fee.
Although there is no major problem if you wish to check out the same day that you checked in, your pocket may not appreciate it if you booked the hotel room for several days.
Especially if it’s a non-refundable booking that you went for, the hotel has every right to keep your money.
However, as always, there are exceptions to the rule, such as if you are unhappy with the hotel or there is a serious medical or family emergency.
Related Questions
Can I leave the hotel without checking out?
It is possible to leave the hotel without informing the front desk about it. Your bill will be emailed to you. However, for housekeeping purposes, it is considerate of you to check out properly instead of simply walking out of the hotel.
What will happen if I check out late?
Some hotels may charge you a few extra dollars for missing your check out time. But then some hotels may charge you an amount that is equivalent to a night’s stay. The importance of checking out on time cannot be stressed enough.
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