Getting 'Walked' By Your Hotel Isn't As Nice As It Sounds. Here's How To Avoid It.

Traveling is an adventure that usually requires meticulous planning and strategizing by at least one member of the party. But no matter how well organized you think you are, travel can have its fair share of surprises. One of the worst-timed surprises can come when you are exhausted from traveling and checking into your hotel room, only to find out that there are no rooms available.

Congratulations, you've been "walked" by the hotel. Even if you have a confirmation number accompanying your reservation, there's a chance that the desk clerk will inform you that there are no rooms left. This is similar to getting bumped from an overbooked plane, even though you have a reserved seat. Hotels, like airlines, intentionally overbook in anticipation of last-minute cancellations in order to ensure a profit. Unfortunately for some travelers, those cancellations don't always happen, and they may find themselves in an entirely different hotel than what was on the carefully planned itinerary.

Luckily, getting walked by your hotel isn't always a disaster. Many larger chains have contingency plans in place that allow them to book you in a nearby, comparable hotel at no additional cost to you, while hopefully refunding you your money. It's an irritation and can throw a wrench in your plans, but there are ways to ensure you're among the least likely to get walked by the concierge team.

Almost every hotel guest who gets walked is not a member of that hotel's loyalty club. Most large chains offer some kind of program for frequent travelers that rewards points and other perks. What many may not realize is that this membership often prioritizes your reservation as well, meaning your room will be less likely to be given away if there's an overbooking emergency.

Another simple tip to boost the chances of your hotel room being ready for you when you arrive is to book it directly through the hotel's website. Third-party websites may offer better deals on occasion, but sometimes that reservation fails to make it to the actual location where you hope to rest your head for the night. This is just one of many tips travel agents share for when you're booking a hotel room.

If possible, try to make your travel plans align with an earlier check-in time at your destination. Guests who arrive earlier in the day are more likely to secure their room key than those stumbling into the reception area late at night. If you're not able to physically arrive at the hotel early, you may be able to check in digitally, which will also guarantee your room is ready and waiting for you upon arrival.

Hotels do not have any legal responsibility to offer you a comparable room at a nearby establishment if your room is given away. Unlike airlines, which are required to offer compensation when a flight is canceled, hotels are free to simply apologize and send you on your way. Fortunately, good customer service usually overcomes this lack of governance, and larger chains typically have policies in place to accommodate you.

When you book your room, look at the hotel chain's terms. Many outline what guests can expect if there is a problem with their reservation. Some will pay for both your new room at a nearby hotel and your transportation there. Others may also throw in rewards points that can be used on future stays.

If your original reservation spanned multiple days and you get walked, it's very likely that the replacement room is only valid for one night. That means you should be prepared to return to the original hotel the next day and stay for the remainder of your original booking. Getting walked by your hotel is an inconvenience, for sure. But for the informed and prepared traveler, it could really be just a minor hiccup in the overall trip.