Pearson New International Edition International pcl tp indd 1

No-Show Billings
In addition to verifying the charges incurred by registered guests, night auditors typ-
ically bill no-shows. A no-show billing is appropriate when it is clear that a guest has
•
made a confirmed reservation,
•
guaranteed the reservation with a valid payment card (or preauthorized direct
bill account),
•
not arrived to take possession of the room being held (as obligated to do), and
NIGHT AUDIT AND REPORT MANAGEMENT
Doing a bucket check during the night audit shift reduces errors on guest folios.
Ioana Davies (D
rutu)/S
hutterstoc
k
560

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not provided a rationale worthy of waiving no-show charges. Documentation in
these instances is very important because, in many cases, guests will dispute
no-show charges when the charges appear on their payment card statement.
Night auditors should follow the no-show billing procedures developed by issuers
of the payment card used to guarantee the reservation; this will help minimize success-
ful guest challenges to the billings. In most cases, card issuers limit the amount a hotel
is allowed to bill a no-show. Typically, only the cost of room and applicable taxes for the
first (arriving) night may be charged. Therefore, for example, no-show guests with a
reservation for a three-night stay may only be billed for one night, not three. FOMs
who field guest inquires about no-show billings should support the policies developed
by the hotel and the actions of the night auditors who prepare them.