How to avoid common mistakes in hotels and save money

Working in a hotel chain for a long time, you can see a lot of mistakes made by tourists. From time to time, each of us can make a mistake while traveling, but some of them are particularly common.

In an article by BusinessInsider, an expert shared the most popular mistakes made by customers. How can you avoid these mistakes and have a great vacation without big losses for your wallet?

Booking hotel rooms through third-party websites

If you've had a successful experience booking through third parties, you're really lucky. However, I've often had people call me asking for a refund on booking websites, sometimes with tears in their eyes.

The customer service department of the websites often promised to help, but in reality, it would be very difficult, because we didn't receive the money. In addition, these websites did not even inform the hotels about your needs or booked rooms for the wrong date.

Extra charge for free cancellation policy

If you use a third-party service and choose the full refund option, it can add up to $50 to the cost of your room.

What many people don't know is that most hotels offer a very flexible cancellation policy, allowing you to cancel for free within 24 hours or the same day.

This is important to emphasize: it is best to book directly with the hotel.

Participation in loyalty programs

If you travel frequently, consider joining a loyalty program of a group hotel, such as Marriott, Hilton, Choice Hotels, and IHG.

These large companies have a network of hotels around the world where you can collect bonus points and redeem them for free nights or gift cards.

At our hotel, we also welcome members of loyalty programs as VIP guests, which allows you to receive various bonuses, such as discounts, free room upgrades, or late check-out.

Forgot to open your Bible

If you notice a Bible in your hotel room, don't be surprised if you find money inside. This may be an attempt by the previous occupant to share their wealth with other guests, especially if they feel part of a Christian community together.

When dealing with this situation, remain open to different possibilities. If you feel that the money does not belong to you, there is no need to take it. Just remember that this is a fairly common practice that may surprise some guests.

Trying to use someone else's credit card

Many hotels allow you to use another person's credit card only if the cardholder has provided written authorization.

Without this authorization, the credit card holder can easily cancel the payment through their bank, especially if the name on the reservation does not match the name on the card.

While some may consider this an acceptable practice, it is worth remembering that such actions can have serious consequences for the hotel and personally for the authorizer.

Read the documents when checking in

Reading the terms and conditions before signing is an important practice. We ask that you carefully review all documentation during check-in to avoid misunderstandings later.

If you do not feel like reading everything, the staff at the front desk will usually be able to briefly explain the main points and answer your questions.

Complain about your room at the last second

If you encounter problems such as a dirty room, a faulty TV, or loud neighbors, let the hotel staff know immediately. They are usually able to resolve such situations quickly and efficiently.

Do not hesitate to ask for help.

Showing up without a credit card or ID

Most hotels don't accept debit or cash payments, requiring guests to provide a credit card as a guarantee of payment for any damages.

Even if you have booked your room online or over the phone, you will still need to present a physical card at the time of check-in.

It is necessary to have an official ID with you to check in at the hotel, as the receptionists strictly follow the rules and will not allow access to the room if you cannot prove your identity.

Not knowing the difference between charging and authorization

Guests checking their bank statements may be surprised to see that their credit card has been charged more than they expected. This may be due to the hotel pre-authorizing the funds to ensure payment for the room at the end of the stay.

Most hotels require pre-authorization of credit cards at check-in to ensure that the guest has sufficient funds to pay for their stay. This practice also includes authorizing a certain amount in case of possible damage to the room.

Although these authorizations may appear on the statement as a charge, they will be canceled within a few business days after the guest checks out. This procedure is standard for most hotels, although some guests may not notice it due to the quick cancellation of the authorization.

Forgetting to give notice

Notifying a guest of their departure is not a mistake, but it is often perceived as a misunderstanding.

The procedure doesn't take much time – even if you simply announce your departure while in the lobby, it will be appreciated.

It informs the staff that you are leaving the hotel so that the check-in agent can complete the technical procedures and the housekeeping staff can start cleaning your room.

TravelWise previously wrote about how to plan a trip on your own so that it goes smoothly.