Late charges on a hotel bill after check-out

If you had booked and used the meeting room I don’t think you really have grounds for complaint, especially if you have signed something to authorise the charge. The hotel should really have let you know though.

Unfortunately genuine errors do occur from time to time – last time I was in the Middle East the hotel had not processed a breakfast charge by the time I checked out and it was processed later. I could have kicked off but took the view that I did reasonably owe them money.

If we all dug our heels in I am sure hotels would find something in the small print and/or insist that things like meeting room hire were paid at the time or even in advance.

Surely though Martin it isn’t an ‘unexplained’ charge. The hotel has explained exactly what the charge is for and the OP doesn’t seem to be suggesting it is in dispute? I suppose you could have asked Amex rather than the hotel but either way the answer is ultimately the same.

exactly SimonS1.

I had a similar experience but relating to dynamic currency conversion.

I used express chech out and the hotel billed me in the currency of my card rather that the local currency.

I made a purchse the same day as check out in local currency on the same card and hence was able to check the rate used in the DCC process and I lost out on $29 in total on what was a large bill.

I send a note to my credit card company and the $29 was recredited.

Since then, I know to specifically state that I DO NOT want to have no DCC.

As a Hotelier I can say that while we have the legal right to make late charges to guests credit cards if we have a signed registration card or contract referring to that credit card, it should always be done with a letter to the client explaining the reason for the late charge. To not advise the client is simply wrong and here I think you would have grounds to complain. Most major chains have form letters that they will send pertaining to a late charge, i.e. minibar, breakfast, parking, etc.

Like BeckyBoop says, it would be a good idea to send a mail to the GM of the property, saying you understand the reason for the charge but found it disresepctful to charge without advising you, and that you had to do the foot work to find out what the chargee was for. I have a feeling you will receive some sort of compensation right away or for a future visit.

Thank you all for very helpful answers.

I was quoted several different figures for the meeting room hire by several different officers of the hotel (with and without catering, with and without taxes, special rate as I was resident, aand so on). It was so confusing that when I got my bill at check-out I specifically checked the charge for the room and asked “Is that complete and the final figure”, and was told it was.

It appears the hotel’s charging was so complex that even they did not understand it, because what they said was a final figure – in response to a direct query – turned out not to be! I have now spoken to a more senior manager and they have confirmed that (a) they were within their rights to charge the higher figure and so the extra but (b) in light of the multiple confusion they would waive (ie refund) it.

As DutchYankee says, the main cause for concern is the way hotels feel able to add charges without notifying people at all. It is most common with minibar usage – one appreciates that some hotel guests “forget” to declare it but equally I have a strong suspicion some hotels abuse the process – but this is the first time I have had an extra room charge.

I hate late charges! So I adapted my strategy: I don’t give any credit card any more! Cash deposit works everywhere. And once the check out done, it is done!

Not later than yesterday btw, I mentioned to a Hilton they forgot to include in my bill a charge the day before for a glass of wine and nachos. As they could not check immediately, they told me it was OK… And I know I won’t have a debit later!