## Is checking out of hotels really necessary?
Occasionally, you may come across a “hot take” on social media asserting that you never have to formally check out of hotels, but rather, you can simply depart. Is that true? Well, yes, for the most part…
For instance, in the United States, it’s generally not an issue to just leave the hotel, as your credit card is authorized upon check-in for the total cost, which can then be charged. You’re usually not required to show your credit card again at check-out.
However, there are some instances where this isn’t as clear-cut:
– In certain very remote locations, they might require you to settle your bill at check-out due to the lack of practical ways for you to exit.
– Outside of the United States, check-out often involves a more detailed process, such as swiping your credit card again, etc.; however, if you were to leave without checking out, I’m sure they would find a way to bill you.
In general, you technically don’t have to check out of hotels.
## Why visiting the front desk is a wise decision
Although checking out isn’t always absolutely necessary, I believe it is both a thoughtful and sensible thing to do.
Firstly, you’ll want to examine all of your charges to ensure that everything is accurate. This is particularly important if you hold elite status, or if your rate includes any kind of property credit, so you can confirm that everything appears correct.
Confronting a hotel’s accounting department afterward is far more aggravating and time-consuming than making a brief visit to the front desk. It astonishes me how complex it can sometimes be to resolve these issues after the fact, so I strive to avoid that whenever possible.
Admittedly, at some hotels, this is not a concern these days, as they either send your folio via email on the morning of check-out, or you can view all your charges through the app. For instance, Hyatt’s app allows you to see all your charges during your stay, which I truly value.
Another reason to check out is out of courtesy. It benefits everyone for the hotel to be aware of which rooms have had guests check out, so that housekeeping can begin cleaning those rooms instead of going door-to-door to see who has left. After all, it’s bothersome when housekeeping constantly knocks on doors trying to determine who has departed, but often that is their only option when guests don’t inform the hotel of their departure.
I believe it’s the right thing to do, particularly since we all appreciate being able to check into our rooms on time (or even early), and this practice helps facilitate that. If you aim to be courteous, hotels frequently have boxes where you can drop off your keys when you’re ready to check out, or some hotel apps even allow you to indicate that you’ve checked out, which are excellent features.
I’ll admit that occasionally I don’t adhere to my own rule and skip the check-out process. For example, the hotel shuttle might leave just as I get to the lobby, or there could be a lengthy queue at the front desk. Nevertheless, I make the effort whenever possible.
It’s wise to verify the charges for your stay.
## Conclusion
While you can certainly leave a hotel when your stay concludes (at least in the United States), I believe there are circumstances where that isn’t in your best interest. The primary reason for checking out is to ensure that the folio is accurate, because a quick stop at the front desk is far simpler than dealing with a hotel’s accounting department later on. There’s also the element of courtesy involved.
I often simply leave the hotel if I’m in the United States, provided I’ve reviewed my folio and it seems correct. But outside the United States, or in instances where the folio has any complexities, I make an effort to visit the front desk.
**What’s your stance on this — do you check out of hotels, or do you just leave?**