A 14-year-old is a minor in general. Children at this age are still under the custody and care of their parents. They cannot make individual decisions without the consent and guidance of parents.
Hotel establishments are fully aware that minors are not allowed to book a room. Different states in the U.S. have established policies on how old a person should be to book a hotel room. The rules on minors vary from one hotel to another.
The minimum age requirements to book a hotel room depending on the state and the hotel itself. 14-year-olds are still a very young age to secure a booking and cannot book a hotel room. The consent of parents is necessary for them to have a hotel booking.
The legal age allowed to reserve a hotel room is 18 years old and above. The age restriction prevents hotels from being liable in case something terrible happens to the guest. However, some states allow 16-year-olds to make a hotel reservation. These states include Alabama, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, Washington, among others. The age of consent in these states is 16 years old.
Once the hotel allowed a minor to book a room, they will be accountable to the child’s parents. Any decent hotel with excellent management and staff will never permit a child to rent a room. The hotel must ask you for a credit card to able to secure a booking.
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How do hotels get age restrictions?
Hotels are under the rules and regulations of the state. They follow the state laws relative to hotels and hospitality management. The age restrictions imposed by hotels are according to state law.
They can restrict certain age groups from abiding by the law.
It includes restrictions on specific age groups for hotel booking.
Hotels follow states law in enforcing a minimum age requirement for guests. Yet, they still have the right to set conditions on what types of people they want to serve. Of course, it should be under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, where one should not discriminate.
Illinois has an ordinance that 21 years old and below cannot make a room reservation. Other big cities like Las Vegas, New York, and Miami also impose this kind of rule. They prevent minors from partying and going to casinos in these cities.
Do hotels check your age?
Hotels differ on how they will impose age restrictions on their guests. Some are very strict, and you cannot make a reservation if you look underage. Other hotels are lenient, where you can negotiate your room reservation.
Hotels typically encounter minors booking and making a room reservation. In this kind of situation, hotel staff does check your age by asking for an Identification Card. It is their way to confirm whether you are legally permitted to book a hotel room.
Aside from an identification card, hotels need a credit card to confirm a hotel booking. Minors cannot present this type of card as they are underage.
It is usual for a hotel to check your age when booking. For travelers, hotels will ask you to present a passport to confirm your age. After that, the staff will hand you the room key once your age is verified.
How can I get into a hotel under 21?
Suppose you are underage and want to book a hotel, except that you need to do a lot of negotiation with hotel staff. You cannot book a hotel if you do not meet the age requirements to make a reservation. The hotel can quickly identify if you are minor and underage.
The hotel staff can ask for your ID to see your age. Hotels cannot give exceptions if they are strict in non-booking policy to minors. The team will have to consider the legal implications if they allow you to reserve a hotel room.
An individual under the age of 21 can get a hotel room if accompanied by parents. A legal guardian of a 21-year old who can fulfill the hotel’s age requirements must be the one to reserve a space.
The presence of the guardian is crucial to be able to secure a room in a hotel. The adult can put the reservation under his or her name using a credit card or debit card. It also allows the hotel to abide by the law imposed by the state.
If there is no guardian, you can find other types of accommodation aside from hotels. Some alternatives lodging with no age restrictions is hostels or bed and breakfast. These types might cater to younger guests like you.
Can I get a hotel room without an ID?
Booking a hotel room online may not be a fuss. You can easily have a reservation using a credit card or a debit card. Yet, once you get to the hotel premises, you must present an ID for verification.
Checking into the hotel room is another story. You must present valid documents, including ID, to confirm your identity. You cannot get a hotel room or check in to the premises without an ID or other documents required.
It is better to prepare yourself for a hassle-free check-in. Initially, you must be mindful of the time you check inside the premises. The standard check-in time is 3:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon. If you do not want to wait long, you should arrive in this timeframe.
Another way for stress-free hotel check-in is to prepare the necessary documents. The documents required by the hotel are needed to verify your hotel booking.
Most of the hotel chains would ask you to present the following for verification:
- Form of Identification
- Booking confirmation
- Credit card used
- Membership and discount card
The hotel staff will request proof of your identity before giving the room key. It will confirm whether you are the actual person who made the reservation and your age.
You can present your driver’s license or government ID as proof of your identity. For travelers, you should submit a passport upon check-in. They will make a copy of your passport and return it to you.
Aside from identity verification, the documents you gave will protect you as well. Hotels can identify that the card you use for booking is yours. It will reduce fraudulent credit card use and theft in this process. It will also ensure that only registered guests can have the key to the hotel rooms.
Booking online is hassle-free. You can easily click and confirm the booking in a few seconds. Once you booked, the hotel website will send you an email for booking confirmation. The confirmation has the reference number, time of booking, name, and room booked.
Hotels will ask you to present the booking confirmation upon checking in. It will help them to quickly locate and confirm on their site your name and booking information. The reference number also guarantees that you made a room reservation for that date.
Credit cards are essential upon check-in. It is a security measure to avoid fraudulent crimes related to the use of credit cards. It will also ensure that you are the one who made the booking. Presenting a credit card is a form to establish transparency between you and the hotel.
If you are a regular guest of the hotel, you can have a membership card for perks and some discounts. You can also present it during check-in to be able to enjoy a discounted room price.
Booking and check-in to the hotel are easy if you when prepared. By keeping yourself informed, you can have a stress-free transaction at the hotel. You can help the hotel staff to do their job fast and easy, as well.
Can parents reserve hotel rooms for minors?
Parents or guardians can reserve hotel rooms for minors. They are at the capacity to make a booking and pay for it. Staff must ensure that children or minors are under the guidance of the parents while on-premises.
Yet, parents must not book a hotel for minors alone. They should stay with the child in the hotel. Minors are not allowed to book a hotel because they should not be traveling alone. They must be with their guardians while traveling.
Hotels will not only risk being liable for things that might happen to the child. Children need guidance when outside the home. Hotels are not responsible for tending to minors, as they can only accept adult guests.
Parents can book hotel rooms for their children provided they can stay with them. They are the ones responsible for looking after them while booked in the hotel.
They can prevent children from making bad choices, damage property, and break hotel rules. In case a child damages a hotel property, the parents are liable to the hotel.
Parents should not leave minors unsupervised, especially when in public spaces. You cannot expect hotels to supervise the child, as it is not under the hotel’s policies or service.
What does a minor need to travel without parents?
A legal guardian or parents should always accompany minors at all times. There should be a supervising adult when they travel in or out of a country.
Different countries have varying rules on minors traveling internationally or domestically. In the U.S., you should present travel documents when with a child.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires consent from parents for minors to travel. Legal approval is crucial, especially when a minor travel without the parents. The permission must include that the parents are allowing the child to travel with an adult.
For instance, a grandparent would want to travel with a child, and the adult must secure consent. The legal consent will allow the grandparent to travel with a minor without the parents. The document should bear the signature of both parents for proper permission.
In case minor travel with a group, documents are still a requirement. The institution must present a letter bearing the names of the children on the trip.
The letter includes contact information, addresses, and the name of the guardian. Age and birth date must also be part of the letter.
Traveling with a minor can be a complicated process, especially when you are not the parent. It will necessitate you to secure appropriate documents. The documents are proof of child identity and the guardian as well.
Children in many parts of the globe are well-protected by state law. It prevents children from being part of any crime or violence that they may encounter during travel. The companion must have the parent consent of the traveling minor.
Hotels and other travel agencies are aware of the complexity of children traveling. They have rules and policies in situations concerning children or minors. It is the hotel’s way of protecting their guest and the business as well.
As an informed traveler, you are responsible for securing consent when with a child. Aside from supervising the child, you are accountable if anything wrong happens. Children should always be protected, especially when outside of their homes. The state and businesses are aware of that. They would conform according to the child protection law.