When Entitlement Checks In: The Wild World of Third-Party Hotel Reservations
If there’s one thing you’ll learn working the front desk at a hotel, it’s that you need a thick skin, a quick wit, and a nearly magical ability to keep smiling—no matter who walks through those lobby doors. From late-night snack hunters to the mysterious “I’m with the band” guests, nothing quite prepares you for the delightful drama of an entitled traveler with two dogs and a prepaid third-party reservation.
Today’s slice of hospitality life comes courtesy of Reddit’s r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk, where user u/OneAd7734 delivers a story packed with barking, bargaining, and the eternal struggle over who really deserves an upgrade. Buckle up, because this is one check-in you won’t want to miss.
The Arrival: Two Dogs and a Suitcase Full of Demands
Our saga begins with a guest striding up to the desk, leashes in one hand and a reservation in the other. But the real baggage? Expectations. “You’re charging me $15 per dog per night?” she asks, seemingly stunned that the hotel dares to, well, follow its clearly stated pet policy.
The front desk agent—unflappable and armed with receipts—politely explains: “I am sorry, but on your reservation you were told that there would be a fee per dog.” In other words, it’s in writing. It’s standard. It’s hospitality’s version of “Don’t shoot the messenger.”
But our guest, emboldened by her prepaid third-party booking, isn’t done yet. She goes for the big ask: “Well, I think I deserve a free upgrade to a suite room.” After all, why pay pet fees when you can just leap straight to luxury?
The Great Upgrade Debate
Let’s pause for a quick PSA: Hotel upgrades aren’t like supermarket samples. They’re a privilege, not a right. As our front desk hero gently clarifies, “Free upgrade if available are for our highest rewards members.” Translation: loyalty counts. If you’re not in the club, you pay the price—literally. In this case, $50 extra for the suite.
The guest, unfazed, threatens to take her business (and her dogs) elsewhere, but here’s the twist: third-party reservations are usually non-refundable. The desk agent delivers the final blow with the grace of a seasoned pro: “Regardless of whether you stay here or not, you will still have to pay for the room as it is a non-refundable reservation.”
That’s right! If you storm out in protest, you’ll still be charged—and you’ll also need to pay for your next hotel, plus double the pet fees. It’s like trying to return a half-eaten sandwich and demanding a steak dinner as an apology.
Why Does This Happen? The Third-Party Booking Trap
This story is funny, but it’s also a cautionary tale about booking through third-party travel sites. Here’s the secret: when you click “book now” on those tempting online deals, you’re often agreeing to stricter terms and less flexibility than you’d get booking direct. Pet fees, parking charges, and upgrade rules? They’re in the fine print—if you look for them.
Hotels love their loyal customers and reward them accordingly. But when you book through an external site, you’re often at the bottom of the VIP totem pole. You might save a few bucks upfront, but if you want special treatment (or have special needs, like Fido and Fluffy in tow), it pays to call the hotel directly.
The (Inevitable) Bad Review
Our front desk narrator closes their tale with a sigh: “I expect a bad review with everything under the sun wrong with the room.” It’s the ultimate hospitality hazard—sometimes, no matter how clear the policies or how polite the staff, someone will leave in a huff and let the world know (via all caps and exclamation points) just how deeply wronged they feel.
If you’ve ever worked the front lines of travel, you know: reviews are the modern guest’s power move. But for every entitled guest, there are dozens of grateful ones—travelers happy to have a clean bed, a friendly greeting, and maybe even a dog treat at check-in.
Final Thoughts: Be Kind, Read the Fine Print, and Don’t Expect a Suite
So what’s the takeaway from this tale of entitlement? Whether you’re checking in with two dogs or flying solo, hospitality works best when both sides show respect. Read the policies, know what you’ve booked, and remember—upgrades are earned, not demanded.
And to all the hotel warriors holding down the front desk: keep those smiles shining. Your stories are what hospitality legends are made of.
Have you ever encountered a guest (or hotel) with a wild sense of entitlement? Share your stories in the comments—we know you’ve got some good ones!
Original Reddit Post: self entitled prepaid third party guest.