MayaWelcome to Real Life English from Slow English FM. We use everyday situations to explore useful, natural English. Today, two people are talking about changing the dates on a hotel booking.

AlexHi, I have a booking that starts on July 1, but I need to arrive on August 1 instead. Can I change the dates? It’s for more than one night, so I may need to check both the new check-in and check-out dates.

MayaI can check. What kind of rate did you book? The options matter, because the rules can differ.

AlexI’m not sure. Where can I find that information?

MayaLook at your confirmation email. It should show the booking conditions. If you booked through Booking.com, you can also request changes through the confirmation email or on Booking.com. Whether a change is available depends on the property’s policy. REPORTER: So I should use the confirmation to find the exact rate and its conditions? ANCHOR: Yes. Check the details for your booking, then ask about those terms. The options can differ, so it helps to know which rate you have before requesting a change.

AlexI found it. It says “non-refundable.” Does that mean I can’t move the dates?

MayaAccording to Booking.com, dates cannot be changed through Booking.com for a non-refundable booking. Cancelling is a separate action, and the property may charge a fee set by the property. Check the booking conditions before deciding what to do.

AlexWhat if the booking is flexible?

MayaThat depends on the hotel’s terms. For Travelodge, a Flexible Rate booking may be amended if the hotel has availability. The new dates can also change the price. Before requesting an amendment, check the exact rate and ask whether the hotel has availability for both dates you want.

AlexSo if August 1 is available, I might still have to pay more?

MayaYes. With Travelodge’s Flexible Rate, if the new booking costs more, you pay the difference. If it costs less, the difference is refunded. A room being available means the hotel can offer a room for your dates. It doesn’t tell you whether the booking’s total value will be higher or lower. So check both the dates and the new price before you agree.

AlexAnd what about Semi-Flex?

MayaTravelodge says Semi-Flex bookings have similar amendment conditions, but there are two important differences: if the new booking costs less, you don’t get the difference back, and an amendment fee applies. An amendment is a change to the existing booking. REPORTER: What should I ask about the fee and the price? ANCHOR: You could ask, “Is there an amendment fee, and would the new booking cost more?” The terms say a fee applies, but they do not give one amount for every booking.

AlexI see. What if I booked the Lowest Rate?

MayaTravelodge’s terms say Lowest Rate bookings cannot be amended, except for a stated provision allowing an extension. That exception is not general permission to move your dates. So check the exact rate and conditions before asking for a change.

AlexCould you help me ask about August 1?

MayaOf course. You could say: “I have a booking for July 1. Is it possible to change my check-in date to August 1? Could you please check availability and tell me if there would be a price difference or an amendment fee?” You could also ask, “Could you confirm the proposed dates and the total price before I agree?”

AlexThat sounds clear. Should I ask them to confirm the change in writing?

MayaYes, that’s a useful way to make sure you have the updated details. Before you agree, check the new dates, the total price, and any fee. And don’t cancel first unless you understand what that could cost.

AlexThanks. I’ll check the terms and ask about availability before I decide.

MayaBefore you decide, ask three questions: Is the change allowed? Are the new dates available? What will the new price or any fee be? This has been Real Life English on Slow English FM. Thanks for listening.