When you’re ready to leave a hotel, do you physically go to the front desk to check-out, or do you just leave?
In this post:
Do you really need to check-out of hotels?
Once in a while, you’ll see someone post a “hot take” on social media about how you never have to actually check-out of hotels, but instead, can just leave. Is that accurate? Well, yes, mostly…
For example, in the United States, you typically won’t have an issue just leaving the hotel, since your credit card is authorized at check-in for the total amount, and can then be charged. You’re usually not asked to present your credit card again at check-out.
There are some exceptions where this isn’t quite as straightforward:
- In some very secluded properties they might just ask you to settle the bill at check-out, but that’s because there’s no practical way for you to even leave
- Outside of the United States, it’s common that check-out is a bit more of a process, where they want to swipe your credit card again, etc.; however, if you just left, I’m sure they’d find a way to charge you
Why going by the front desk is the smart thing to do
While it’s often not strictly necessary to check-out, I think it’s both the smart and courteous thing to do.
For one, you want to review all of your charges to make sure you’re not being charged incorrectly. That’s especially true if you have elite status, or if your rate includes some sort of property credit, so you can make sure everything looks correct.
Dealing with a hotel’s accounting department after the fact is exponentially more frustrating and time consuming than a quick stop at the front desk. It blows my mind how complicated it is sometimes dealing with this stuff after the fact, so I try to do everything in my power to avoid that.
Admittedly at some hotels, this is a non-issue nowadays, as they either email you your folio the morning of check-out, or you can see all your charges through the app. For example, Hyatt’s app shows you all of your charges during a stay through the app, which is a feature I really appreciate.
Another reason you might want to check-out is out of to courtesy. It’s in everyone’s best interest for the hotel to know which rooms people have checked out of, so that housekeeping can get started on cleaning those rooms, rather than going door-to-door and knocking, to see who has checked out. After all, it’s annoying when housekeeping is constantly knocking on doors to try to figure out who has left, but often that’s their only choice, when people don’t let the hotel know that they’ve left.
I tend to think it’s the right thing to do, especially since we all appreciate being able to check into rooms punctually (or even early), and that’s something that helps with that. If you’re just trying to be courteous, hotels often also have boxes you can place your keys in when you’re ready to check-out, or some hotel apps even let you indicate that you’ve checked out, and those are great features.
Now, I’ll admit that sometimes I don’t follow my own rule, and skip check-out. For example, maybe the hotel shuttle is leaving right as I arrive in the lobby, or maybe there’s a really long line at the front desk. But I do make the effort when I can.
Bottom line
While you absolutely can just leave a hotel when your stay is over (at least in the United States), I think there are situations where that’s not in your best interest. The biggest reason to check-out is to make sure that the folio is correct, because a quick stop at the front desk is infinitely easier than dealing with a hotel’s accounting department after the fact. There’s also the courtesy element to this.
I will often just leave the hotel if it’s in the United States, and if I reviewed my folio, and it looks correct. But outside the United States, or in situations where there’s any complexity to the folio, I try to stop by the front desk.
Where do you stand on this — do you check-out of hotels, or just leave?
Strange. It’s never even occurred to me to not have to check out at the desk.
I am usually owed money back from a hold.
On the off chance I owe the hotel money, they don’t really have a bank cheque to charge me anyway. I use cards with specific limits for hotel deposits I never just hand them a centurion.
So leaving without stopping they wouldn’t be able to charge me and that would be wrong…
Absolutely agree with what 1990 says.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gjM62nm73jM
Hotels should crack down on people who fail to checkout, it's causes tons of issues including to other customers. Very few hotels charge penalties for it, although the number seems to be increasing. At the same time hotels should make the checkout process easier. It's absurd that even simple cases of "the bill looks good, I just want to pay it" can't be handled in-app most of the time.
What do you mean "can't be handled in-app most of the time?" - for any major chain (Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, IHG), you absolutely can check out in the app. There may be specific properties that are less integrated / opt out of that feature but the VAST majority (any of their standard brand hotels - maybe not the smaller partnerships) allow it.
Unnecessary to have such a long article on this topic. I always check out at the desk for the reasons you mention.
Anyone who just leaves without formally checking out, has more money than brains.
If most of your hotel stays are for work, the odds of receiving erroneous charges are lower at least in my experience (since you're less likely using paid amenities, racking up charges, etc.) and my time is worth more than the marginal error that slips through when it will be reimbursed by the company.
Personally, I always officially check out of a hotel at the front desk unless the hotel has a stated, publicized means of checking out via phone after you have reviewed the “final” statement sent to you via e-mail.
However, checking out at the front desk and receiving a receipt stamped “paid” doesn't always prevent issues from arising later.
Granted that this particular incident I will describe occurred back in 2008, but it could easily occur...
Personally, I always officially check out of a hotel at the front desk unless the hotel has a stated, publicized means of checking out via phone after you have reviewed the “final” statement sent to you via e-mail.
However, checking out at the front desk and receiving a receipt stamped “paid” doesn't always prevent issues from arising later.
Granted that this particular incident I will describe occurred back in 2008, but it could easily occur today.
I was attending a professional conference being held at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, Florida. I had a confirmed reservation (in writing) for 3 nights at a conference rate of $199 + $12 resort fee + 11.5% room tax per night. Everything went well. I checked out with my American Express card and even was given a receipt stamped “paid in full” as I checked out.
A week or more later, I received a letter from this “resort” advising me that the rate they charged me (and that was on my confirmation) was incorrect for the third out of the three nights and that they were retroactively charging my American Express card for a much higher standard rate (as opposed to the conference rate).
I was able to successfully fight this via American Express (they did a charge back to the resort for the after-the-fact extra charges) as I was able to provide American Express with a copy of my reservation confirmation and the check out receipt with the “paid in full” notation. There were a few back-and-forth communications with the resort but in the end, I think they realized that they didn't have a leg to stand on!
Bottom line is to always check out at the front desk with a receipt noting “paid in full” to avoid the annoying mishagoss that I went through.
Pretty surprising to see all the people here saying they always stop by the desk. I almost never formally check out. I wake up the morning of my departure, and just leave. Can't remember of ever having an issue. But I also generally don't charge things to my room or have any other expenses other than my room charge, so it's pretty straightforward.
Most of my hotel stays are business trips. I prefer to stop by reception at checkout so I can get a paper copy of the receipt. Paper makes my expense report easier because I can just write the amount of tip I left at the bottom and then circle the new total expense.
I was 50/50 depending on several factors until Costa Rica Marriott Los Suenos. In Costa Rica a hotel incorrectly charged me a fee they agreed not to in my case bc I wasn't using the service the fee covered. I found out afterwards but let me tell you it took almost a month n a half and me basically threatening to come back down there and deal with it personally. Look with Marriott it's about...
I was 50/50 depending on several factors until Costa Rica Marriott Los Suenos. In Costa Rica a hotel incorrectly charged me a fee they agreed not to in my case bc I wasn't using the service the fee covered. I found out afterwards but let me tell you it took almost a month n a half and me basically threatening to come back down there and deal with it personally. Look with Marriott it's about the principal....
Then there's grupo distra owned JW Marriott Cabo. I got charged 3500usd once for a room I wasn't even in. That took 3 weeks and 15 emails to solve. I was on that line a hawk. After them twice a day bc sorry but that's a lot of money to me. (yes it's absolutely top down like previously said). Another previous time they mischarged me for a smaller breakfast charge when it should have been included and this took 3-4 weeks to solve. I was dumb enough to go back lol. Actually that property is a complete s show thanks to their management.
After these incidents any time after the US I handle it on the spot and refuse to leave until solved. My wife stays 220 nights in hotels and has found 15% of time they charge her for minibar when "no consumption". They almost always solve without a manager involved which tells me this is a systemic thing they almost automatically do.
Sorry to rant but this is a good topic and given our experiences I feel obligated to share
I never just leave a hotel without doing anything. I will check out via the app and if I have a potential balance/credits to be applied I try to do it at the desk if I can.
Just had an issue where I checked out via text and sure enough Hilton didn't properly apply my credits so I had to call in and deal with it. Think the smart thing to do is check out at the desk if there is any balance/credits that need to be applied.
If I am staying in a hotel - budget or luxury, all-inclusive or no, for 1 night or a month, I am stopping by the reception and getting a bill - paper copy or email. I don't leave the hotel without verifying the bill. I don't want to deal with the accounting via emails/phone calls.
Completely agree on all. If I ever don’t have time to stop by the front desk on my way out, I’ll usually call them once in the car on my way to the airport.
Don’t hotels often have a late checkout fee. “ Checkout” as opposed to “departure”. Nothing to stop them from adding that. And the bill would not be incorrect.
In the US I just verify the charges on the app or the email and drop my key off and say all checked out. I do this no matter if there are people there or not. I dont stop and actually check out. Just try to be like Ben says and let them know housekeeping can clean my room. I've never had an issue.
When I leave I take the DND off the door and if I pass by housekeeping I will let them know I’ve left as a courtesy. That lets housekeepers know a room is physically vacant and available for cleaning. They still use a clipboard , walkie talkies, and communicate with reception about room statuses old school.
Good to know we're roughly taking same approach as Ben. My wife and I laugh realizing when we check out at the front desk in the US we get the impression the workers are looking at us like "how cute, the boomers are checking out in person". Meanwhile, the paperwork protocol at check out at our Tokyo hotel was on par with closing for our recent home purchase.
Generally I stop by the desk. I have negotiated very late check out fees ( late flights ) always require some extra scrutiny to determine 1) all late room service charges are there. 2) the extra fee was exactly what was agreed upon.
Always does it, to ensure the bills are charged correctly, eg. Breakfast, Parking etc.
If I can't make it by the front desk, I just call to let them know I left from the car.
Always formally checkout, even if it's a chore, and physically review the printed or digital invoice before departure, because I've caught so many bogus fees over the years, it's saved me hundreds if not thousands of dollars. It's far easier to get a manager to 'settle' and fix then and there than having to reach their 'accounting department' with odd hours, international calls, etc., or to have to start a credit card dispute, which is...
Always formally checkout, even if it's a chore, and physically review the printed or digital invoice before departure, because I've caught so many bogus fees over the years, it's saved me hundreds if not thousands of dollars. It's far easier to get a manager to 'settle' and fix then and there than having to reach their 'accounting department' with odd hours, international calls, etc., or to have to start a credit card dispute, which is no fun, often involves conflicting information, and multiple appeals over amounts as little as $25. Fight the good fight, folks. In the aggregate, we're helping each other by speaking out when we can. If we push-back, they do this stuff less.
Agree 100%. I think it depends on the chain. With Hilton, if it is a small error, I'm very confident that reaching out to corporate I'm going to win. If it's more than one night, or I've charged things like a restaurant meal to the room, or had a free breakfast served that I just had to "sign for" then definitely check it.
Hotels take every opportunity to screw us (as to rental car companies). I say let them have it back.
Went through a set of Marriott brands attempting to screw me. I'm a huge advocate for consumer protections and worker rights. I tend to blame management and owners, who have greater responsibility, than the entry-level staff or 'greedy' customers. The real exploitation is coming from the top, and it's by-design, taking advantage of power imbalances and deception. It's no way to run a business, much less a society.
I always check out given the option - the method depends. Most of my stays are at limited service properties and I'm leaving usually before breakfast starts. I toss the room keys in the basket on the desk or on the keyboard of the computer which, if the night auditor isn't sitting there, normally is unoccupied. I check out in the app.
If I've charged items to the room and am expecting the F&B...
I always check out given the option - the method depends. Most of my stays are at limited service properties and I'm leaving usually before breakfast starts. I toss the room keys in the basket on the desk or on the keyboard of the computer which, if the night auditor isn't sitting there, normally is unoccupied. I check out in the app.
If I've charged items to the room and am expecting the F&B credit (especially if two people on the room, sometimes will catch them only giving one credit), I'll just verify with the desk they show my credit and let them email me the folio.
I've had hotels charge employees of mine for not checking out (but sometimes the end dates are fuzzy). If I can't reach anyone in person or have an option in the app, worst case I call them while I'm in the shuttle or after leaving.
If it's a points stay in the US and I made no additional charges to the room, I'd normally check out on app or just leave. For everything else, front desk.
I ALWAYS check-out at the front desk. I've caught issues on my bill doing that.
I just end up doing it as part of a routine to leave the hotel.. if there's a long line, I'll check out on the hotel's app if it allows.
Get up, morning shower, pack up, double check room and remove dnd sign, go to lobby and check out, on my way to next destination.
Usually I don't find any issues, but one time at the MGM in Las Vegas they charged me for a snack I picked up but put back in the basket. It was resolved pretty quickly there on the spot.
Back when I had it, the only times I found my Marriot Ambassador valuable was fixing incorrect folios
Another reason to stop by the front desk is to obtain the invoice (if it hasn’t already been emailed to you) in case your points didn’t credit correctly. In my experience it’s much easier to claim missing points if you’re able to upload a copy of your invoice.
I'm increasingly seeing hotels in Africa requiring you to get some kind of security pass from the front desk at check-out to permit security at the gate to allow you to exit with luggage. You need to visit the desk, settle the invoice and hand over your key card to get the security pass. And yes, this includes major chain properties.
Yes, Sean M., in many African citizens that I've visited, there is strict security protocols, both entering and leaving hotel compounds. Like, the Kigali Marriott is a fortress. The Four Points at NBO also seems to do a thorough check of all vehicles. In some places, like Jo-burg, I'm kinda glad they put in the extra efforts. How is it in Accra or Lilongwe or wherever you are these days?
All of 10 seconds at the front desk: name, room number, "out and clear", email the bill, bye.
Not if there's a line.
I like to check out with the front desk for a few reasons. First, I want to double check my bill and solve any issues while there rather having to call or email someone later which usually takes much longer to solve. Second, I want a formal confirmation of the time I left the hotel in case something happens later in the room and that shows I was no longer there. Lastly, it is usually...
I like to check out with the front desk for a few reasons. First, I want to double check my bill and solve any issues while there rather having to call or email someone later which usually takes much longer to solve. Second, I want a formal confirmation of the time I left the hotel in case something happens later in the room and that shows I was no longer there. Lastly, it is usually nice to just talk to the front desk and share how my stay was and usually it was great and they smile at you knowing they have a happy customer.
Agreed
While most Hyatts do in fact show charges in app, at my stay at the Park Hyatt Maldives this year, they did not. I wonder if that is intentional given how much you’re spending. They also have your host walk through your bill with you during the last night which gives you an opportunity to question any charges before leaving.