This has happened to me on a few occasions and it's been fun but I would say you either have to know and totally trust the provider or you have to pay the bill fully before your departure.  Pay and make clear to reception that your friend is staying in the room but you are not responsible for any room service etc.  Don't know if hotels in the US will accept that sort of thing but it's a nice thought to let the provider have the room if it's not going to be used by you.

Can you see yourself in Mike Price's shoes?

That being said, I would trust several of the local providers I've met in my hometown.  I like Carrie's suggestion to make it clear to the staff that further charges are on a cash only basis with the "friend" in the room.  Of course, if something goes wrong, it can be catastrophic.



-- Modified on 5/1/2003 3:27:21 PM

I've done this a few times with my ATF and have never had a problem.  I usually tell her to go ahead and order room service in the morning and just sign for it and also tell her she can put her valet charge on my room as well.  I did hear of one provider that was flown to Las Vegas for an overnight, was told she could stay in the room, and ended up charging over $300.00 worth of phone calls to his room.  Needless to say, it was the last time he contacted her for an appointment.  Just use your best judgement.  Sedagive.

I had one of my faves offer me her room when she was through with it one night as I was passing through her town.

Most upscale hotels provide a copy of the bill underneath your door on the morning of check-out.  Although your credit card information isn't on it, your full name and address is.  I've always emailed my date letting him know I have received the final bill which has has his personal information and asks if he would like it. If not, I let him know I'm very trustworthy and will shread it immediately.

Trust is very important and I would also add unless she's a regular or you plan on seeing her again, don't take chances.

only did that if I liked the lady and planned to see her again.  It was sort of a test.  Normal room service, couple of movies or massage in the room was not a problem.  Anything more than that would be too much.  When I checked in, I would tell the front desk to have the bill sent to me through mail.


-- Modified on 5/1/2003 11:41:30 PM

I hope you aren't serious about this. Unless you are single or just wanting a divorce, you are asking for trouble. If you have known the provider for a long time it might be ok, but the risks are huge. I had a provider staying with me in a hotel room for a couple days and she spent $300.00 on food and phone calls the first, and of course last day. I paid the charges in cash so it didn't hit the credit card statement, but it could have been a disaster.

I took my ATF to SF for a wonderful weekend.  We know eachother very well and I trust her implicitly.  So when she had plans to stay on in the city for another day before heading home we booked the room an extra day and she shifted the charges for that day to her credit card.  I wanted to pay and told her so, but after I left she made the change.

Well I'd used my business card for the room and everything was OK.  Then every 3 to 4 months I get a promotional mailer from this 4 star hotel addressed to her at my office.  It gave me an unexpected pause when I first saw the little folder come across my desk with her name on it.  

You know you think you've got all the bases covered then someone steals second.