Question About Guest Checkins

[BeckyV]

I have a week at OKW to surprise and celebrate my ds birthday. I will not be able to stay the entire time because of school. Before I offer it to family or friends, what happens when we checkout and they checkin? Can they change my credit card for charging and damages, etc to theirs? This was not booked with my DVC points, but an exchange through II. Usually we just buy a guest certificate, but I am checking in first. I called Member Services and they said just to add their name to the reservation so they could pick up the key. They did caution me about leaving my credit card on file for them.

 

[Beth]

If they're going to just be coming in during your reservation - there will be no "checkout/checkin" process when they arrive.

Like MS said, if you won't be there when they arrive, then you will need to add their name on the reservation, so they can pick up a key at the front desk, or, even better, when "you" checkin, tell the front desk that the guests will be arriving (tell them the specific day and approximate time), and ask them to place a key at the desk for them. I would request that charging priveleges NOT be placed on their room keys.

And the credit card situation is right. You need to forewarn your guests that <u>your</u> card will be on the room for any incidentals. They need to realize that anything they charge to the room (phone calls!) will be billed to YOU, and you will expect to settle up when they return home. I don't think you can change credit cards mid-stay. But, check with the front desk. You may be able to go in and "settle up" the night before you leave. But, your guests will need to place a new card on the room when they arrive, or they won't be able to enjoy the benefits of "express checkout." Maybe someone else has more experience with this type of situation...

The bill for the week will be placed on the doorknob to the room on checkout day. You need to remind your guests to return that to you or, maybe, you can make some sort of arrangement when you check in to have that mailed to you, directly, instead.

 

[Scoootch]

Originally posted by BeckyV
Before I offer it to family or friends, what happens when we checkout and they checkin? Can they change my credit card for charging and damages, etc to theirs?

I called Member Services and they said just to add their name to the reservation so they could pick up the key. They did caution me about leaving my credit card on file for them.

Sounds to me that if you put your credit card on file to use your room key to charge purchases that you won't be able to take it back off when you leave. If I were you I just wouldn't put your card on file and carry your credit card separate to use. It may be a little more of a hassle having to carry it separate but you won't have to worry about anyone charging back to the room after you leave and it being on your bill. The other option would be to put the card on for yourself but make sure that the cards issued to the people staying on your ressie afterward DO NOT have charging privileges. Only problem here is that the people staying after you will have the same problem, they'd have to carry their card separate -- although they will have this problem regaurdless as you cannot change from one card to another it sounds.

 

[HookdonWDW]

You can change the card that you have on file for room charges. Just go down to the front desk, close out the current bill, and change the bill to a new credit card. That will take care of room charges, phone calls, etc...

As far as charges for damages, ultimately, any damages not paid for by your guests would be your responsibility, since you are the one with the contract for the room(s).