Planning a long vacation away from the stresses of daily life to relax and let loose is something everyone anticipates. Booking a hotel is one of the significant factors determining the timeline of your vacation, whether you are traveling within the country limits or abroad. However, besides finding the cheapest hotel deals, travelers must also avoid some common checking-in mistakes while planning the journey to ensure a seamless hotel booking experience.

Failing to update the hotel staff about changes in time
When you travel, there is no guarantee of time, as many things can change mid-journey. Therefore, you will likely arrive before check-in time or may have to check out later than booked. Even after the room has been booked, you must confirm changes in arrival and departure with the hotel staff. This way, the hotel can accommodate your early or late travel plans and make the necessary arrangements for the revised itinerary as promised. Don’t ignore this critical step when traveling aboard, as flight delays and unexpected layovers can cause a chain reaction impacting your reservations planned and booked months in advance.

Taking any available room
If you’ve not made advance reservations, don’t just ask for any available room. It is a big mistake that hotel owners always capitalize on and make you stick with a room unsuitable for your preferences. From basic occupancy rooms to lavish deluxe suites, the level of comfort and amenities increases with price. And it’s well within your right to confirm all details, including the room size, amenities included within the price, and any other perks with the booking. Never settle for the first available room; always request a change if the place does not meet your expectations or preferences.

Not confirming specific requirements
If you’re traveling with someone who needs assistance or special care, ensure the hotel is equipped to provide additional facilities and amenities. Guests with disabilities will require lift access and ramp walkways to move comfortably inside the hotel. There are special rooms available in accessible areas that are built to cater to guests who require extra help. Filter out rooms on the booking platform before comparing prices.

Not paying attention to check-in instructions
All hotels will have a specific check-in procedure to follow. These details are mentioned on the official website with clear instructions that you must never ignore. Familiarizing yourself with the process in advance can save you much time and effort at the front desk. Some hotels even allow digital check-in, wherein you can confirm all details before reaching the hotel. At the front desk, all you need to do more is show up and provide identification details.

Not checking for free upgrades
If you are paying for annual membership and loyalty programs, it’s always a good idea to ask for any eligible upgrades at the front desk. As soon as you check in, ask the staff if your booking can be upgraded for a better room or if any new facilities can be used free of charge using loyalty points. Many travelers skip this step and lose out on benefits that could save them a lot of money. Always check with the concierge to understand what freebies you can get with the room. You can also request certain amenities for celebrating special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. Informing the staff in advance allows the staff to prepare for the event.

Not updating details at check-in
Your contact information, like phone number and email address, are necessary details for the hotel staff to confirm at check-in because that’s the only way the staff can reach out to you in case you’ve left behind something valuable back in the room and have already checked out. Also, you can request an itemized copy of the final bill to submit for reimbursement if you’re traveling due to work reasons. These details might not be readily available at checkout; however, the staff can forward these particulars to your mail to keep a document on record.

Paying with a debit card
During peak travel season, hotels may overbook guests and exceed their occupancy. Your booking might get canceled, and if any advance money has been paid, you’ll have to wait for the amount to be credited back into your account. So, it’s always better to book using a credit card as these payment modes have multiple layers of security and protection to safeguard the transaction. It’ll be easier to follow up on credit card refunds with the statement and have the proceeds credited to your account. Using a debit card means you will miss out on earning credit card rewards and points.