Late arrivals: how to keep your booking safe

Arriving late does not have to put your room at risk. A quick heads-up to the hotel is usually all it takes to keep your booking safe.

Tell the hotel your arrival time

If you will reach the hotel late in the evening or overnight, let them know when you book or on the day. Hotels hold rooms for expected late arrivals, but an unannounced one can be treated differently.

Guaranteed late arrival and the card hold

A booking guaranteed with a card is normally held all night, with the card covering a no-show. Prepaid rooms are held too, but it still helps the front desk to know you are coming.

What a no-show costs

Not arriving without cancelling usually means a charge, often the first night or the full stay, depending on the rate. Cancelling before the deadline, if you cannot make it, avoids that.

After midnight and next-day check-in

If you arrive after midnight, your check-in date is still the night you booked, so a very late arrival can shorten the first night. For arrivals the next morning, confirm the hotel will still hold the room.

Key points

• Tell the hotel if you will arrive late or overnight.
• A card-guaranteed booking is normally held all night.
• A no-show usually costs the first night or the full stay.
• After midnight, the booked date still counts as that night.

Common questions

Will my room be held if I arrive late? Usually yes if guaranteed with a card or prepaid, and especially if you tell the hotel your time.

What if I cannot arrive until the next day? Contact the hotel. Confirm they will hold the room, since the first night may otherwise be treated as a no-show.