An early checkout fee, often called an "Early Departure Fee," is a charge applied by a hotel when a guest chooses to leave before their originally scheduled departure date. This fee is designed to compensate the hotel for the lost revenue of an unsold room that was previously blocked off. In 2026, the typical fee is the cost of one night's room and tax, though some high-end resorts may charge for the entire remaining stay if the reservation was part of a non-refundable or multi-night promotional rate. To avoid this fee, it is best to notify the front desk as early as possible—usually at least 24 to 48 hours in advance—though many hotels will still apply the charge if the cancellation window has passed. Always check your booking's "cancellation policy" or the fine print in your confirmation email, as some "Flexible" rates may allow for changes without penalty.