What happens if you arrive late for check in

[SC Mouse Fan]

We will having a grand gathering Nov 16 - 25. There will be a total of 4 rooms. We are arriving on Nov 16 because I got the 40% code and you have to check in by this date to get the discount. What happens if one of the families is delayed and arrives on Nov 17. The reservation will be starting Nov 16. I am just worried about my brother in law being able to leave work on time. We will be there so we could tell the front desk about their problem but I want to be sure about keeping the discount and not being surprised with a $600 difference if they arrive a day late. Has this happened to anyone during a discount period?

 

[fla4fun]

How delayed will he be? Is he driving or flying? He shouldn't be considered a no-show until the early hours of the following day (it used to be 6am, but I'm not sure if it still is). I know there are people who will reserve a room knowing that they won't arrive until very early the next morning, but they want to be able to get into a room right away and are willing to pay for the extra night. So unless he's delayed until later, it shouldn't be a problem.

If you think he's going to be delayed until later, I would call and ask, without mentioning the discount at first. Just ask what happens if someone is scheduled to check in one day, but due to circumstances beyond their control (think weather delays, for one thing) they end up arriving the next day. I'm sure it happens more than you know. It may be that, like other hotels, you can call the resort and let them know you're running behind and so long as you pay for all the nights you booked, you're OK. If doing that is still cheaper than a rate change, then that's the way to go.

 

[SC Mouse Fan]

I think if they are delayed they will wait until the next day to arrive probably after lunch. They will be driving. They have a 7 year old and I don't think it would be a good idea to drive during the middle of the night because he would not sleep. Then he would be messed up the next day and probably a few days after that. Plus if he has to work all day they won't want to drive 8 to 9 hours for safety reasons. I was thinking about changing some of the people in our rooms around so that we could check into all of the rooms but that would present new problems with key cards and the DDP. They are also checking out one day earlier than the rest of us

 

[bradk]

6 am should be the cut off time. before the computers go down for nightly maintenance, all guests not yet checked in should be default checked in by CMs.

beyond that, that's the real question, because it could mean forfeiting the room if it's an actual noshow. that's something you should note on the reservation as well as call the resort 'directly' for.

unless it can be worked out that you can move one of the adults from the okay reservation to his. as long as you don't hit max occupancy rate after shuffling folks around, the worst that should happen is possibly incurring a nominal charge for a 3rd adult.

if i'm not mistaken, that adult that will be there should then be able to check-in. but if it's a room only, the balance is due and payable at check-in as well.

just something to experiment with

 

[sue1013]

If I'm understanding correctly you got the 40% off code. If you had the code wouldn't your name be on the reservation? If your name is on the reservation you can check in for their room. I know when I have booked AP discount rooms for someone it was under my name and they were listed as staying in the room.

 

[SB in KY]

Twice now we have checked into multiple rooms that had linked reservations, and I was able to check in for everyone (even though our name was only on one room, but I had made the reservations for all 3 rooms at the same time and they were linked in the system). I got up early both times and went to the resort and checked in early and got everyones keys with DDP on them and parking permits for all the cars while everyone else slept in. I gave them my credit card for the balance due on all the rooms (it was my sisters and their families and they just wrote me a check for their totals). Then I only set up our room to have charging privileges. Then when they arrived they just went to the desk and gave them their credit cards to set up room charging. They did not have to be there to check in.

We were not in your exact situation in that rates were not changing...but if your DB is willing to pay for the room and dining plan whether or not they are actually there I do not think it will be an issue. Just make sure their reservation is linked to yours (and if it was done through Grand Gatherings it should be already).

 

[Lynne M]

The most important thing is that you tell the resort if your family members will not be arriving on the expected check-in date. I've heard that they'll cancel the entire reservation for that room if no one shows up to check in, and no one calls to tell them about it.

As long as you keep the resort informed, all will be well.

 

[SC Mouse Fan]

Twice now we have checked into multiple rooms that had linked reservations, and I was able to check in for everyone (even though our name was only on one room, but I had made the reservations for all 3 rooms at the same time and they were linked in the system). I got up early both times and went to the resort and checked in early and got everyones keys with DDP on them and parking permits for all the cars while everyone else slept in. I gave them my credit card for the balance due on all the rooms (it was my sisters and their families and they just wrote me a check for their totals). Then I only set up our room to have charging privileges. Then when they arrived they just went to the desk and gave them their credit cards to set up room charging. They did not have to be there to check in.

We were not in your exact situation in that rates were not changing...but if your DB is willing to pay for the room and dining plan whether or not they are actually there I do not think it will be an issue. Just make sure their reservation is linked to yours (and if it was done through Grand Gatherings it should be already).

Which resort did you stay at when they let you check in for other people. Also when was the last time they let you do this. I have seen several posts saying at least one person from the party had to be there. I did make all the reservations for everyone because of the 40% off code. Then later they made the deposits to hold the reservation. They have let me change the end date of the reservation in question earlier. I just don't want to get down there and be surprised.

 

[SC Mouse Fan]

I would just swap the rooms for my SIL and FIL around but we have a Good Morning Gathering scheduled. The CM I talked with said we would have to cancel the Good morning gathering for the two people we switch and then rebook the gathering for them. I was just afraid that it would fill up before they got everything typed in the computer. Maybe it would just be simpier if I tried it anyway. I just don't want to get down there and then they tell us we can't check in for the other people. I may also ask the Grand Gathering CM what they think. But you can't always trust their information.

 

[SC Mouse Fan]

Bump

Just wondering if anyone else has any suggestions?