Used point to reserve room now a friend wants to stay for free
 

I used my points for a hotel room and have no out of pocket expense. Room cost usually $195/night.

A friend wants to cancel her reservation (different, cheaper hotel) and stay in my room.

What should I charge her? I feel 1/2 of my room rate isn't fair to her but no payment at all from her isn't fair to me.

I am thinking about asking her to pay 1/2 of her original lodging cost to me to stay in my room.

Thoughts?

First you need to verify with hotel that it's ok for 2 to stay in that room. Then ask your friend how much she is willing to pay you. Up to you to agree or not to agree to it.

Room rate double occupancy so no issue there. Looking for other ideas so that it is fair tp everyone under the circumstances.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

That wouldn't work for me. I would change half the room rate in the hotel you are staying in. Up to the friend to decide if they want to pay for a nicer room in a nicer hotel.

half of nothing is nothing. I value my privacy too much.

Can you tell a little more about your relationship with this person?

Yeah, as above. Do you WANT to share the room. I would say no, probably. Needs to be a REALLY good friend, and SHE needs to come up with a BIG figure to be so presumptuous.

Just a friend. Both single women traveling with couples. I think she's thinking she can save money by staying with me and would probably argue that she shouldn't have to pay anything since I have no out of pocket expense (its been alluded to on other trips.)

I paid for the rooms that earned the rates so I think it's only fair that she pay something. I also value my privacy which is another reason I don't feel it should be free.

*earned the points not rates

That is not a friend.
You will find that out as soon as you say no.

If you want privacy, tell her so.

If you think it would be fun to have her under foot, invite her to stay with you.

If you freeload off of her, let her freeload off of you. Otherwise ask her for compensation (if you receive approval for a second person in the room).

HTtY

I admit she's not without her issues.

I've got no problem telling her I'd rather have my privacy. Just looking for ideas to manage her expectations once the conversation comes up.

That all for your comments.

*thanks to all

This comment by you says it all: "Just a friend....I think she's thinking she can save money by staying with me and probably would argue that she shouldn't have to pay for anything since I have no out of pocket expense (its been alluded to on other trips)."

The mere fact that you think she'd say those things is enough for a "no" answer. And the fact that she's "just a friend" makes it easier for you to just say no!

Frankly, I think it's ballsy of her not to offer any monetary payment or some other form of "thank you" to you.

I've shared a free room w/ others a few times . . . when it was my choice. Never took any payment (but came out ahead since each time the other person wouldn't let pay for a meal - to pay me back)

If anyone had the chutzpah to ask to join me and not pay anything - I wouldn't want to room w/ that person for sure.

We don't actually know if she plans on paying since you say >>I <i>think</i> she's thinking . . .<< so you obviously haven't had the conversation yet. But I would not be happy having someone cancel their own reservation invite themselves to join me. Doesn't sound good >)

Is she willing to let you stay in her room that she pays for regardless of whether paid by points or actual money?

If you can agree you will get this one with the points you built up and she will get the next one (of similar value ) and you don't mind sharing I would try to make that suggestion.

Points have value just like cash

She's always willing to share a room to split costs but now that I think about it the use of her points never enters into the conversation when she's doing the research for lodging for us to share. It only comes up when it's decided that we won't be sharing a room.

I have my answer...

Charging your friend for something you didn't pay for is tough.

Since you are providing the room, it is sounds better if you ask the friend to provide something like meals, cabs, etc.

I see your point that's why I asked for ideas. I thought of your suggestion as well but then wondered if it would get weird if I ordered that extra drink or dessert.

I think will just take the option off the table for now when we resume the conversation and set a precedent for future trips.

Sounds like you've decided I would say the problem here has to do with the fact that you and your friend think a room booked with points is "free." I collect points for a couple of hotel chains and I'm very aware that it takes me a number stays to build up enough points for a free room. So I would have no problem or I to a share a room with someone asking them for some amount of money – maybe not half but let's say on a $200 room, asking them to chip in 50 bucks or so. There are many sites that will help you figure out the point value in relation to dollars for various chains so you might want to check that before you make an offer again.