Hotels use short codes on the radio, in the PMS and at briefings. You will hear room status codes, guest movement terms such as due out, and abbreviations like DND and OOO. Codes vary between hotels, so ask for your hotel's list.
Why it matters
Misreading one code can mean waking a sleeping guest or selling a room with a broken shower.
Key ideas
Room status codes
Common codes are VC (vacant clean), VD (vacant dirty), OC (occupied clean) and OD (occupied dirty).
Guest movements
An arrival checks in today, a stayover stays at least one more night, and a due out is expected to leave today.
OOO and DND
An OOO (out of order) room cannot be sold, usually because it needs repairs. DND (do not disturb) means nobody enters, and your policy says when to check on the guest.
Step by step
- 1
Get your hotel's list of codes from your supervisor.
- 2
Check a room's status before you enter, clean or assign it.
- 3
Update the status as soon as it changes.
- 4
Ask about any new term you hear at the briefing.
- 5
Use codes with colleagues and plain words with guests.
Do
- Repeat codes back on the radio to confirm them.
- Note the time you first see a DND sign.
- Learn how your hotel uses OOS (out of service), usually a minor, short-term issue.
Common mistakes
- Don't say 'VD' or 'due out' to guests.
- Don't knock on a DND door just to finish faster.
- Don't guess what a code means; ask.
The situation
Your supervisor says: '214 is a due out, 216 is a stayover on DND, and 218 is OOO, so skip it.'
What a professional does
You clean 214 once the guest has checked out. You don't knock on 216; you note the time and tell your supervisor if the sign stays up past the time your policy sets. You leave 218 alone.
Useful phrases
“Copy that: 214 due out, 216 DND, 218 out of order.”
“Your room is being cleaned and will be ready shortly.”
Pro tip
Carry a pocket card of your hotel's codes until you know them by heart.
Quick check
What is the difference between a stayover and a due out?
Think about it, then show the answer
A stayover is staying at least one more night; a due out is expected to check out today.