Difference Between Skipper and Sleeper in Hotel industry

Skipper definition

A room status term indicating that the guest has left the hotel without making arrangements to settle his or her account.

The room is vacant, but believed to be occupied.

Skip is the term used to refer to a hotel guest who vacates a guest room without paying the bill incurred for room charges and extras.

Housekeeping discrepancy report indicates that a room is vacant, but the front office status shows it is occupied then cashier or GSA should search for an active room folio and registration card.

Accidentals - These are guests who simply forget to pay, often their extra bills.

Opportunists - These guests check in with the intention of paying their bill on departure, but when they realise that they can get away without paying their bill or part of the bill. 

Premeditators - These are guests who, from the start, have the intention of leaving the hotel without paying. 

Skippers often comes with little luggage or no luggage. The bell boys have to be alert to notify the front office about guests with scanty baggage in-order to take necessary advance from them and at the time of check-out.

How to Prevent Skippers ?

Make sure you always ask guests to fill in registration cards with all details upon check in.

Preauthorize guests credit cards included deposit of a set amount.

On PMS activate a NO post on reservation to stop any extra charges from other outlets to be charged to the guest room.

Sleeper definition 

Room status term indicating that the guest has settled his or her account and left the hotel, but the front office staff has failed to properly update the room’s status.

The room is vacant, but believed to be occupied.

Sleep-Out A room status term indicating that the guest is registered to the room, but the bed has not been used. 

Housekeeping discrepancy report indicates that a room is vacant, but the front office status shows it is occupied then cashier or GSA should search for an active room folio and registration card.

How to Prevent Sleepers ?

Show Checkout on the Front office software and balance all guest folio without fail after guest checkout.