Pearson New International Edition International pcl tp indd 1

GUEST CHARGES, PAYMENT, AND CHECK-OUT
Late Check-Out Charges
Check-out time is established by hotel policy, and guests can be informed about the
time in a number of ways: information printed on registration cards signed at 
check-in, statements made by front office staff to guests during check-in, and printed
notices in guestrooms. When guests know the check-out time and when the time is
reasonable, most guests will vacate their room accordingly. In some cases, guests may
request and be granted a check-out extension (late check-out).
Sometimes, guests simply do not vacate their room by the stated check-out time.
If the delay is a matter of minutes, there is usually no problem. However, if guests delay
departure for an extended period of time, significant difficulties can occur. Consider
the Alexanders and the Jacksons. The Alexanders had reserved the bridal suite at the
Altoona Hotel for Friday night—the night their wedding reception was held at the
hotel. The wedding festivities ended late on Friday. Now it is noon (the Altoona’s
established check-out time) on Saturday; the Alexanders have not checked out, and
they have not requested a late check-out. The hotel’s normal check-in time for arriv-
ing guests is 3:00 p.m. The Jacksons have the bridal suite reserved for Saturday night
and their wedding reception is also being held at the hotel. The Altoona has only one
bridal suite, so housekeeping personnel will have difficulty cleaning the suite in time
for the Jacksons’ 3:00 p.m. check-in if the suite is not vacated in a timely manner.