Front Office – Handling guest rebates or allowances

• All rebates / adjustments / allowances for charges posted to a guest must be prepared on a allowance slip and the same need to be authorized by the department heads. Normally allowances are authorized by the Front Office Manager, Resident Manager or Director of sales.
• All allowances must be also circulated for review and approval by the General Manager and Financial Controller.
• Front Desk cashier normally passes a allowance when a guest indicates that he/she has a complaint about room rate applied, charges on bill, Mini bar disputes, double postings, free inclusions which was part of rate and may also due to dissatisfaction of certain hotel services.
• If the cashier feels that an adjustment is required, then he or she should inform the Front Office Manager or duty manager so that immediate steps for service recovery can be done.
• If a situation arises where it is absolutely necessary, a rebate / allowance may be authorized and handled by the front office cashier, but all such rebates must be reviewed by the Front Desk Manager or duty manager at the end of each shift.
• A rebate should be only passed when it is the only way to placate or satisfy the guest.
• Post a (–ive) entry on the correct Transaction / rebate code to pass a rebate.
• When the decision is to make a rebate, the cashier will prepare the rebate voucher. The voucher must contain the following information:

1. Date on which rebate is passed
2. Name of Guest
3. Room Number
4. Signature of the cashier
5. Signature of Authorized Manager
6. Reason / Explanation for the Adjustment
7. Amount of the Adjustment

• The voucher is then placed with the other rebate vouchers that have been run for that day for review by the Night Auditors.
• All rebates will be signed by the Front office Manager / Duty manager.
• Report Allowance / rebate for the day will be printed daily and circulated along with the Night audit report set.
• The General Manager / Financial controller will also maintain close supervision over rebates. He/she will review and approve all rebates on a daily basis and will investigate and reconcile any unusual or recurring rebates.
• It should be noted that when rebates are passed with the correct corresponding rebate codes should be only used by the front desk cashier. Eg: For passing allowance on room rental the Transaction code or Department code ‘Allowance Room charges’ only to be used.