Summary
This article discusses the inconvenience or having to relocate. First, it explains exactly what a relocate is. Basically if you show up too late and the hotel is fully booked, you’re out of luck they already gave your room away, even if your reservation was guaranteed. The author, being a hotelier gives some useful tips of how to avoid a relocation and how to handle it if it happens to you. His first tip is to arrive early. They can’t give away your room if you’re standing right there. It would be nice to always be able to arrive early but sometimes that is not an option. His second tip is to book a more expensive room, if you can afford it. He says that the higher the rate you paid, the less likely you are to be relocated. Also, hotels are more loyal to loyalty club members and frequent guests so they are more likely to hold a room if you are on the loyalty list. If you’re not, you might be out of luck. Always check your confirmations and dates to make sure you have not accidentally booked for the wrong time. Finally he talks about what to do if for some reason you are located. The hotels pay the difference in the rooms and for transportation to the other hotel. To save money and to get your business back they are going to try to relocate you to an inferior hotel. Don’t let this happen to you. Since they’re paying insist on a nicer room! His last tip is to be firm but pleasant. Most of the time it is not the desk agents fault that you are being relocated. Stay polite, but firm to make sure you are getting what you deserve.
Reflection
As someone who travels fairly often I can see how relocation would be a huge annoyance. I have also worked in the service industry since I was 18 so I also see the other side that it usually isn’t the service agents fault. Whenever I have issues with a restaurant or hotel I try not to take it out on the server or front desk agent because I know they’ve probably been dealing with nagging people all day. I think the tips the author gave about how to avoid a relocation were helpful and his tips for how to handle it if it does happen were really good. Since the relocation is probably the fault of the hotel, I would not be happy if they tried to relocate me to a lower budget hotel. I liked what he said about being firm but polite. Insist that you get what you deserve without being rude. I think this is definitely the way to get what you want. Also, joining a loyalty program is a good way to make sure you are getting the best customer service. By being a member you can improve your chances of guaranteeing a room, along with receiving other benefits from the hotel. Usually these programs are really easy to sign up for and provide good benefits to the guest. Overall I thought this article brought up some good points and gave good tips on how to handle this inconvenient situation.
Craig, Daniel Edward. “Walking After Midnight: How to Avoid Being Relocated From Your Hotel.” 4 hoteliers. http://www.4hoteliers.com/4hots_fshw.php?mwi=5504
