What Is an Attrition Clause in a Hotel Block?

An attrition clause is a provision in a hotel room block contract that requires you to fill a minimum percentage of the rooms you’ve reserved. If your guests don’t book enough rooms by the deadline, you’ll be charged a fee to cover the hotel’s lost revenue for the unused rooms. Most contracts set this minimum between 75% and 90% of the total block.

How an Attrition Clause Works

When you sign a room block contract with a hotel, the property reserves a set number of rooms at a negotiated rate. In exchange, the hotel expects a certain occupancy level. The attrition clause puts that expectation in writing. It sets a minimum fill rate—usually as a percentage—and explains the financial consequences if bookings don’t meet that mark.

This clause works alongside your room block cutoff date. After the cutoff passes, the hotel tallies up the rooms that were actually booked. If the total is below the agreed minimum, the attrition penalty kicks in. The hotel will then invoice you for the difference between the required minimum and the number of rooms actually filled.

Why the Attrition Clause Matters for Weddings

Wedding room blocks often include 10 to 50 or more rooms over one or two nights. That’s a significant source of revenue for the hotel. The attrition clause protects the property from holding rooms that end up not being sold. For you, it means you could be on the hook for extra costs, which can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

Knowing what’s in the clause before you sign lets you choose the right block size. Overestimating how many guests will book is the main reason couples get hit with attrition fees. A realistic guest count—based on travel habits and your venue’s location—helps you avoid paying for empty rooms.

Typical Attrition Rates and Penalty Structures

Hotels structure attrition penalties in several ways:

Percentage-based threshold. The most common format. You must fill 80 percent (or another agreed figure) of your block. Penalties apply only to the gap between the threshold and actual bookings, not to every unfilled room.
Revenue-based calculation. The penalty equals the lost room revenue on each unfilled room below the threshold. Some contracts also factor in taxes, resort fees, or estimated ancillary spending.
Sliding scale. A small number of hotels use tiered penalties: a lower charge if you fill 70 to 79 percent, a higher charge if you fall below 70 percent.
Resell credit. Some contracts include a clause stating that if the hotel resells an attrition room to a walk-in guest, that room no longer counts against your shortfall.

Always ask the hotel to clarify exactly which charges are included in the penalty calculation before you finalize the agreement.

Tips for Negotiating a Favourable Attrition Clause

You have more leverage than you might expect, especially during off-peak seasons or at hotels eager to host wedding groups. Consider these strategies:

Lower the threshold. Ask the hotel to reduce the required fill rate from 80 percent to 70 percent. Even a small reduction can save you hundreds of dollars if a handful of guests change plans.
Request a review date. A review date, set two to four weeks before the cutoff, lets you release unbooked rooms back to the hotel without penalty. This gives the property time to resell them on the open market.
Add a resell credit. Insist on language that credits resold rooms against your attrition count. If the hotel fills those rooms with other travellers, your liability decreases accordingly.
Start with a smaller block. It is easier to add rooms later than to pay for rooms you do not need. Many hotels allow you to expand a block if demand is strong, so beginning conservatively is a sound approach.
Share your booking link early. The sooner guests reserve, the sooner you have accurate pickup data. Coordinating room blocks through a centralized booking tool helps you track reservations and act before the cutoff date arrives.

Attrition vs. Cancellation: Key Differences

It's important to distinguish attrition from outright cancellation. Attrition refers to a shortfall in bookings within your reserved block, while cancellation clauses apply if you cancel the entire block or event. Cancellation penalties are typically higher, sometimes calculated as a percentage of the total estimated revenue from rooms, food and beverage, and meeting space combined.

Review both clauses carefully. If your plans change and you need to cancel, understanding the difference can help you choose the most cost-effective option—whether that's reducing your block size or cancelling outright.

Frequently Asked
Questions

What’s a typical attrition rate for a hotel block?

Most hotels set attrition rates between 75% and 90%. This means you’ll need to fill at least 75% to 90% of the rooms in your block, or you’ll pay a penalty on any unbooked rooms. For wedding hotel contracts, 80% is the most common threshold.

How is the attrition penalty calculated?

The hotel calculates the penalty by multiplying the number of rooms that fall short of your minimum commitment by the agreed-upon room rate. Some contracts also include taxes and resort fees in this calculation. For example, if your block has 30 rooms at $200 per night and you’re required to fill 80 percent, booking only 20 rooms means you’ll owe a penalty for 4 rooms (24 minus 20), which comes to $800 before taxes.

Can you negotiate the attrition clause?

Yes. You can ask the hotel to lower the required fill percentage, extend the cutoff date, add a review period so you can release rooms before penalties apply, or include a clause that credits any rooms the hotel resells to walk-in guests against your attrition penalty.

What happens if you don’t meet the attrition requirement?

The hotel will invoice you for any shortfall after the event. Depending on your contract, the charge may cover only room revenue or may also include estimated food, beverage, and other revenue the hotel expected from those guests. Reviewing the contract language before signing helps you understand your maximum financial exposure.

Is an attrition clause the same as a cancellation clause?

No. An attrition clause covers rooms left unbooked within a block you’re holding. A cancellation clause comes into play if you cancel the entire block or event. Cancellation penalties are usually higher and can include fees for lost food and beverage revenue, meeting space, and other contracted services.

Step into planning mode.

We’ll help you kick off your wedding planning the right way.

Get Started