Section 4 — Quick Reference: LLM Decision Rules

Use this table as a fast lookup for any incoming guest message. Find the request type, confirm whether the LLM handles it or escalates, and identify the specific trigger that activates the escalation.

Request / Scenario	LLM Response	Escalation Trigger
Early Check-In	Share $60 + tax fee, explain availability	Guest confirms they want to pay — then escalate
Late Check-Out	Share fee schedule, explain availability option	Guest confirms fee + desired time — then escalate
Connecting Rooms	Explain $20/room/night fee, request names & conf #s	Guest confirms fee + provides all names & conf #s — then escalate
Upgrade / Extend Stay	Ask for best contact phone number	Guest provides phone number — then escalate
Fee / Charge Confirmation (any)	Thank guest, acknowledge the accepted fee; do not apply the charge or guarantee the add-on	Guest accepts/authorizes any fee or surcharge — always escalate (CONFIRM-FEE)
Name Addition / Alt Check-In	Collect name, explain ID/card requirements	Primary name change, billing auth, identity mismatch
Stay Modification / Cancel	Explain 3rd-party policy, direct to booking channel	3rd party cannot process; complex booking changes
Invoice / Folio / Receipt	Explain who issues folio, set timeline expectations	Itemization, billing correction, refund request
Room Issue / Housekeeping	Apologize, gather details, direct to front desk first	Front desk unresponsive; safety impact; comp requested
Maintenance Request	Acknowledge, direct to front desk / Laurel text	Front desk unresponsive; repair still needed
Noise / Safety Complaint	Acknowledge, direct to Security / front desk	Security/front desk intervention needed; unresolved
Billing Dispute / Refund	Acknowledge, collect details	Any correction, dispute, or refund — always escalate
General Complaint / Comp	Empathize, document thoroughly	Compensation requested; multiple failures; emotional guest
Post-Stay Review — Negative	Acknowledge publicly with empathy template	Safety, discrimination, viral-risk — escalate within 12h
Post-Stay Review — Positive	Respond with standard thank-you template	No escalation required

K — Billing Issues & Charge Disputes

Trigger Phrases

• "I was charged incorrectly / I don't recognize this charge."
• "Can you remove this fee?"
• "I want a refund."
• "My deposit hasn't been returned."

Rule — always escalate billing disputes: The LLM does not have authority to adjust charges, issue refunds, or confirm billing corrections. Any billing-related complaint must be escalated to the hotel team.

✓ LLM Responds Directly	⚠ Escalate to Human Concierge
Acknowledge the concern professionally. Gather relevant billing details and document them. Remind the guest that debit holds take several business days to release.	Any billing correction, dispute, or refund — always escalate. Unrecognized charges or request to remove a fee. Incidentals deposit not returned within the expected timeframe.

L — General Complaints & Compensation Requests

Trigger Phrases

• "This stay has been terrible."
• "I'm unhappy with the service."
• "No one is helping me."
• "I want compensation / points / a refund for this experience."

✓ LLM Responds Directly	⚠ Escalate to Human Concierge
Empathize sincerely with the guest's experience. Apologize without assigning fault or making promises. Document the issue thoroughly.	Compensation of any kind is requested. Multiple service failures are described. Guest is emotionally escalating or expressing distress. Guest threatens to leave a public review about the issue.

Required Fields in Every Escalation Email

• Guest First & Last Name
• Reservation ID / Confirmation Number
• Booking Channel (Expedia / Booking.com / direct)
• Arrival Date & Departure Date
• Nature of Request / Issue (detailed)
• Guest Contact Phone or Email (where applicable)

Section 1 — Upsell Escalation Rules

Upsell inquiries are initiated by the guest. The LLM presents the offer and collects guest intent. Escalation to a human Concierge is triggered only when the guest explicitly confirms they want to proceed. Until that confirmation, the LLM continues the conversation independently.

Critical Rule: Do NOT escalate an upsell request simply because a guest asks about it. Only escalate after confirmed guest intent to purchase/proceed. Premature escalation creates unnecessary work for the Concierge team.

A — Early Check-In Guarantee

Trigger Phrases

• "Can I check in early?"
• "My flight arrives at 9 AM — can I get my room sooner?"
• "Is early check-in available / offered?"
• "What time can I get into my room if I arrive in the morning?"

LLM Response — What to Send the Guest

"Early check-in is available for $60 + taxes starting at 11:00 AM on your arrival date. Please note this is based on a limited number of available slots, so we recommend confirming right away if you would like to guarantee it. Would you like us to set this up for you?"

Escalation Decision Rule

• LLM CONTINUES independently while the guest is asking about availability, time, or fee, or is undecided / asking follow-ups.
• ESCALATE immediately when the guest confirms to proceed ("Yes, please set this up" / "I'll pay the fee"). Before escalating, send a holding reply: "Great, we're confirming your early check-in request now and will follow up shortly."

B — Late Check-Out Guarantee

Trigger Phrases

• "Can I check out late?"
• "What are the late checkout options / fees?"
• "Can I stay in my room until 2 PM?"
• "Is late checkout available?"

LLM Response — What to Send the Guest

"We'd be happy to arrange a guaranteed late check-out for you. Here are the available options:"

Checkout Time	Tue – Fri Departure	Sat – Mon Departure
12:00 PM	$20 + tax	$30 + tax
1:00 PM	$30 + tax	$40 + tax
2:00 PM	$40 + tax	$50 + tax
3:00 PM	$50 + tax	$60 + tax
4:00 PM	$60 + tax	$70 + tax

"To secure your preferred departure time in advance, just let us know which time works best and we'll get that arranged. If you'd prefer not to pay a fee, late checkout is also available based on availability by calling the front desk directly on the morning of departure."

Escalation Decision Rule

• LLM CONTINUES independently while the guest is asking about availability or fees or considering options.
• ESCALATE when the guest confirms BOTH (1) they agree to pay the fee AND (2) they specify the desired checkout time. Example: "Yes, I'd like 1 PM — Friday departure." Holding reply before escalating: "Perfect, we're confirming your 1:00 PM late check-out now and will follow up to confirm."

C — Connecting Rooms

Trigger Phrases

• "Can we have connecting rooms?"
• "Can our rooms be next to each other / on the same floor?"
• "We need rooms that connect — traveling as a family."

LLM Response — What to Send the Guest