How do "Early Departure Fees" work when booking a Starwood hotel?
How do "Early Departure Fees" work exactly?
If I booked a room for 4 nights, and I want to leave after 2 nights, and I have pre-paid for the 4 nights, will I still be charged early departure fees?
T & C from the hotel say:
Early Departure
Many Starwood hotels have an early departure fee. When you check-in, you will be asked to confirm your departure date. You may be able to change your departure date without a penalty if your rate plan permits and if you do so before the end of your arrival day. After reconfirming your departure date, if you decide to leave earlier, you may be charged the early departure fee. Please contact the hotel if you have any questions.
I am fine forfeiting the money as I understand that this is my fault if I booked for longer and left early, but my concern is can they charge me additional fees for leaving early?
- Let's say I do not tell the front desk about my plans as even I am not sure of them
- This is for my upcoming trip.
Best Answer
First, it is highly unlikely, almost impossible, you would be changed an Early Departure Fee and forfeit the prepaid nights.
The Early Departure Fee is a form of revenue protection particularly for post-paid stays to cover cases where the booking is made with a lower long-term, convention or special rate but the number of nights you actually stay would only qualify for a higher 'regular' rate.
For comparison, it would be similar to booking a hidden city airline ticket.
Now, you might be able to get some money back if the re-priced post-paid rate leaves you with a credit from your pre-paid amount. I've never tried this but it's worth asking about when you check in.
Pictures about "How do "Early Departure Fees" work when booking a Starwood hotel?"
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Naim Benjelloun, Brett Jordan, Aleksandar Pasaric, Oleksandr Pidvalnyi