Getting walked is one of those phrases that you never want to hear during your stay. It means that you will spend hours of frustration moving to another hotel.
Before we discuss how to avoid being walked let's first understand what it is. Why Hotels Walk Guests Hotels like many other industries have high fixed costs that do not disappear. Just like airlines they need to fill seats, or rather rooms in order to spread these fixed costs if they hope to garner a profit. In their attempt to make sure that they fill these rooms it is common practice for hotels to overbook. Their salespeople are encouraged to book the hotel to 110%.
There are two basic reasons for why you should tip. The first is to acknowledge that a personal service was provided. A personal service is anything that you needed that does not fall into the realm of general service. Possible personal services include calling up a restaurant for you, finding information on nearby locations, or answering specific questions that you may have. The second reason to tip is to reward excellent service. A third possible reason is that hourly workers make their income through tips. However, they are incentivized to provide good service to earn these tips.
The hotel must find you another place to stay that is comparable to your original booking. They are required to give you a free phone call (although with everyone having cellphones seems rather unnecessary). Also, if it is needed the hotel is required that you receive transportation to you're the new hotel. Avoid Getting Walked Now that you know there will be a shortage of rooms the next question is how to avoid being the individual who is walked.
1. Come early - Individuals who come early are most likely to receive the room. If you are arriving late in the evening there is a good chance that all of the rooms have been filled. If you are afraid you may be walked make sure to arrive in the morning or early afternoon.
3. Breakfast! This one is a no brainer but again this a value breakfast. We are not talking dry pancakes from McDonalds or old fruit at a hotel's continental breakfast. The food is home cooked and delicious, something to look forward to when you wake up during your stay.
3. Book on the Hotel Website - This one is a biggie. Nothing says walk me like seeing that you booked with a 3rd party website. Priceline, Expedia, and others will get you a better deal on hotels but they will also make you more likely to be walked.
Who and How Much should you tip?
5. Be a Regular - If you are a business traveler this one may be easy. Hotels hope to encourage repeat purchases and will avoid walking their most valuable members. If you have a choice, stick with one hotel that you visit every time you come to the area. If you are not a regular try to appear to be one. Join the hotel's loyalty program.
This is not much but at least it is something to differentiate you from the other hotel guests. Being a member is very valuable in smaller hotels like Hotel Zero a boutique hotel in Norwalk, CT. The hotel may not have a choice to walking you at times but a nice feature about being a valued customer is that the hotel may walk you in advance allowing you to change your plans before you arrive.
Before we discuss how to avoid being walked let's first understand what it is. Why Hotels Walk Guests Hotels like many other industries have high fixed costs that do not disappear. Just like airlines they need to fill seats, or rather rooms in order to spread these fixed costs if they hope to garner a profit. In their attempt to make sure that they fill these rooms it is common practice for hotels to overbook. Their salespeople are encouraged to book the hotel to 110%.
There are two basic reasons for why you should tip. The first is to acknowledge that a personal service was provided. A personal service is anything that you needed that does not fall into the realm of general service. Possible personal services include calling up a restaurant for you, finding information on nearby locations, or answering specific questions that you may have. The second reason to tip is to reward excellent service. A third possible reason is that hourly workers make their income through tips. However, they are incentivized to provide good service to earn these tips.
The hotel must find you another place to stay that is comparable to your original booking. They are required to give you a free phone call (although with everyone having cellphones seems rather unnecessary). Also, if it is needed the hotel is required that you receive transportation to you're the new hotel. Avoid Getting Walked Now that you know there will be a shortage of rooms the next question is how to avoid being the individual who is walked.
1. Come early - Individuals who come early are most likely to receive the room. If you are arriving late in the evening there is a good chance that all of the rooms have been filled. If you are afraid you may be walked make sure to arrive in the morning or early afternoon.
3. Breakfast! This one is a no brainer but again this a value breakfast. We are not talking dry pancakes from McDonalds or old fruit at a hotel's continental breakfast. The food is home cooked and delicious, something to look forward to when you wake up during your stay.
3. Book on the Hotel Website - This one is a biggie. Nothing says walk me like seeing that you booked with a 3rd party website. Priceline, Expedia, and others will get you a better deal on hotels but they will also make you more likely to be walked.
Who and How Much should you tip?
5. Be a Regular - If you are a business traveler this one may be easy. Hotels hope to encourage repeat purchases and will avoid walking their most valuable members. If you have a choice, stick with one hotel that you visit every time you come to the area. If you are not a regular try to appear to be one. Join the hotel's loyalty program.
This is not much but at least it is something to differentiate you from the other hotel guests. Being a member is very valuable in smaller hotels like Hotel Zero a boutique hotel in Norwalk, CT. The hotel may not have a choice to walking you at times but a nice feature about being a valued customer is that the hotel may walk you in advance allowing you to change your plans before you arrive.
About the Author:
There is nothing normal about the Hotel Zero Degrees Norwalk. From our ideal setting in the heart of Norwalk to the picturesque rooftop terrace, we've designed a hotel for travelers who want something different.
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