When planning a wedding, one of the many logistical details couples need to consider is the hotel room block for out-of-town guests.
Wedding room blocks allow couples to secure a group of rooms at a discounted rate for their guests, making travel and accommodations extremely convenient. But within the world of room blocks, there are two main key terms that couples should understand: courtesy room blocks and attrition room blocks. Though they may seem similar, these two options can have a big impact on both your wedding budget and your guests' accommodations.
Let’s break down the differences between the two and help you decide which is right for your wedding.
What Is a Courtesy Room Block?
A courtesy room block is a block of hotel rooms that the hotel reserves for your guests at a discounted rate, but with a key difference: there is no financial penalty for not filling all the rooms. Essentially, the hotel holds the rooms for you and your guests, but you, the couple, are not obligated to meet a certain number of bookings or to pay for any rooms that go unused. This type of room block is generally offered as a favor to the couple, often because the hotel values your business or wants to encourage guests to stay in the area.
The hotel will set aside a certain number of rooms, and if your guests book those rooms, they’ll benefit from a special rate. However, if fewer rooms are booked than expected, the hotel won’t charge the couple for the unused rooms, and the couple doesn’t have to worry about any financial penalties.
What Is an Attrition Room Block?
An attrition room block works a bit differently. Under this agreement, you (the couple) are guaranteed a set number of rooms at a discounted rate, but you are financially responsible for paying for any rooms that go unbooked up to a specific percentage of the total block.
This means that if your guests don’t fill all of the rooms in the block, you could be on the hook for paying for the unused rooms. The term "attrition" refers to the loss of bookings from the reserved block, and typically, hotels set an attrition rate (e.g., 80% or 90%) that indicates how many rooms need to be booked in order to avoid a penalty. For example, if your wedding room block has 20 rooms reserved and your attrition rate is 80%, you would need at least 16 rooms to be booked by your guests. If only 14 rooms are booked, you may be charged for the difference (in this case, 2 rooms), even if those rooms are not filled.
Key Differences Between Courtesy and Attrition Room Blocks
Financial Risk -
Courtesy Room Block: The biggest advantage of a courtesy room block is that there’s no financial risk to the couple. If fewer rooms are booked than expected, there’s no penalty.
Attrition Room Block: With an attrition block, there is a financial risk. If fewer rooms are booked than required, you could be charged for the difference. This can become a financial burden if you overestimate how many rooms your guests will need.
Obligation to Fill Rooms
Courtesy Room Block: There is no obligation to fill the rooms. You can reserve a block of rooms for guests, but the hotel doesn’t require you to meet a certain booking quota.
Attrition Room Block: With an attrition block, you have an obligation to meet the specific hotel’s booking requirement. If your guests don’t book enough rooms, you are liable for the shortfall.
Booking Flexibility
Courtesy Room Block: Typically, couples have more flexibility with a courtesy block. If guests don’t use the rooms, the couple is not penalized, making it a great choice for couples who want to offer accommodations without the pressure of filling the block.
Attrition Room Block: The flexibility is lower with an attrition block, as the couple will be held financially accountable for unused rooms if they don't meet the required booking percentage.
Ideal Situations
Courtesy Room Block: This option works best for couples with a smaller guest list or those who don’t want the pressure of guaranteeing room bookings. It’s also great for destination weddings, where guests may have different preferences for hotels or be traveling from far away.
Attrition Room Block: An attrition block is typically a better option when a couple is expecting a larger number of out-of-town guests and has a good sense of how many will likely book rooms. This type of block is often used for weddings where the hotel is expecting a high volume of bookings, such as a wedding weekend in a popular destination/city or when venues are further from lodging options leading to a higher need for overnight accommodations.
Which Is Right for Your Wedding?
When choosing between a courtesy room block and an attrition room block, there are a few key factors to consider:
1. Guest Count: If you have a large guest list, especially with many out-of-town guests, an attrition block may work well because it allows you to secure a block of rooms without worrying too much about how many people actually book. However, if your guest list is smaller or guests leave a lot of uncertainty, a courtesy block is probably a safer bet, as it eliminates the financial risk.
2. Guest Behavior: Think about your guests and their preferences. Will they be likely to book the discounted rooms? If you expect most guests to find their own accommodations, a courtesy block gives you flexibility. If you believe your guests will be excited about staying at the hotel, or if you're hosting a destination wedding where many people will be traveling long distances, an attrition block may be the better choice.
3. Budget: An attrition room block carries financial risk, so if you're worried about overbooking and being charged for unused rooms, the courtesy block might be a more budget-friendly option. This can be especially important if you're planning a wedding with a tight budget and don’t want any surprise charges down the line.
4. Hotel and Venue Preferences: Some hotels and venues may only offer one type of block, or they may have specific terms related to both options. It's essential to carefully review the terms of your contract with the hotel to understand which option they offer and how flexible they are.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the right type of room block for your wedding is crucial to ensuring that wedding guests have a convenient place to stay without creating unnecessary stress for you as the couple.
Whether you go with a courtesy block or an attrition block, the key is to understand the terms and how they could impact your wedding budget. If you're unsure, don't hesitate to ask our team about the specifics of each type of block and how they work with your wedding plans.
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