Since the beginning, hotels have been dealing with requests for late checkout. The reality is that late checkouts can throw off the rhythm in a hotel. Housekeepers schedules, arrivals of new guests and more can be thrown off during high occupancy days. But what about days when occupancy is soft?
Thar’s GOLD in them thar hills!
Rather than simply accommodating late check out requests…why not PROMOTE them and drive some real revenue? Even if your hotel already charges for late check outs, usually this is accomplished only when guests call the desk to request a late check out. What if the hotel was able to promote late check outs on the morning of departure? Imagine being able to contact each guest via their smartphone, tablet or computer on the morning of departure and saying “Why Don’t You Stay a Little Longer?” And what if the guest could easily choose the time and the price for staying longer via their smartphone, tablet or computer. Talk about an impulse purchase!
What about from the guest’s perspective? We’ve all been there…we’re in our hotel room the clock is ticking you’re getting work done and it’s almost checkout time. Perhaps housekeeping has knocked on your door two or three times already. Its closing in on 12pm and you haven’t even packed! Finally you come to terms with the fact that you could use more time in the room and you call the front desk to ask for late checkout. I always feel like I have my hat in hand when I call for a late checkout Please sir may I have some more? Personally, a promotion like this would be a no-brainer. Instead of forcing me to stop my conference call or whatever, I would click the option that best suited my schedule and gladly pay the difference. MUCH better than the awkward call to the desk.
SO…tap that new revenue source. Don’t just accommodate late checkouts…PROMOTE THEM ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK!
