Double-booking is the term we use when multiple reservations are made for one room or unit on the same night. If two separate guests book the same room or unit, this can cause problems for both your business and those who want to stay with you.
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Hotels know this, and most are quick to remedy an overbooking situation and get you into another room as quickly as possible. Why? Because bad reviews and angry customers can destroy a hotel's reputation. In most cases, your overbooked hotel will arrange a different room for you at a nearby alternative hotel.
Overbookings, or double bookings, happen when a hotel sells more rooms than it has available for a given night. Many hotels do this deliberately to offset last-minute cancellations or no-shows and avoid losing revenue and occupancy. Of course, it can also happen by accident.
You should immediately let the customer know if you double book them with someone else. Deliver the news politely, and let them know the service requires some waiting time. Patiently answer any questions they may have.
If you accidentally booked two hotel rooms on the same reservation dates, the best thing to do is contact the hotel directly as soon as possible. Explain your situation and ask if they can cancel one of your reservations or combine them into a single room.
It's Cheaper to Book DirectWhen you book directly with the hotel, there are no hidden fees. Using third-party booking services has additional fees that you may on top of the rate. Online travel agents also charge a commission, which could be up to 20% of the booking, from the hotel.
It is worth mentioning that double occupancy rooms are more expensive than single occupancy rooms due to the additional amenities and space provided for an extra guest.
No, unfortunately it is not possible for someone to sleep over in your hotel room without paying. Hotels have strict policies about who can stay in their rooms and require payment for all guests.
Hotel room rates are based on double occupancy. You usually don't have to pay extra for kids in the room. But hotels often charge $20 to $50 per additional adult per night, Banas says. To avoid this fee, you need to be aware of it before you book so that you can search for another hotel that doesn't charge it.
The risk that expected cancellations might not take place and some guests might not find available their reserved rooms is the reason why overbooking is considered a controversial practice, unethical for consumers.