Hilton HHonors - Embassy Suites - Easy Check-in Machine

I just checked into the Embassy Suites in Washington, DC (22nd Street)... the manager was urging people to try their new "easy" check-in machines. Unfortunately, I was already being helped at the front desk (got an upgrade!), so I didn't try it.

Anyone have any luck using these? The guy in the elevator I spoke with said it took 3 people to help him use it.

I just checked into the Embassy Suites in Washington, DC (22nd Street)... the manager was urging people to try their new "easy" check-in machines. Unfortunately, I was already being helped at the front desk (got an upgrade!), so I didn't try it.

Anyone have any luck using these? The guy in the elevator I spoke with said it took 3 people to help him use it.

Must be the same guy who can't figure ut how to use the check-in kiosk at the aiport and is utterly confused by the self-checkout machine at the supermarket.

Tried one about 3-4 weeks ago in ATL. Couldn't find my reservation. Had to go to front desk. I'll chalk it up to start up problems for now.

And... the machine was too damn slow. I mean, by the time I finished using the kiosk, the desk employee had checked in two other guests...

Did I read somewhere that you can get 500 points for using these things now? I can't seem to find it but I know I saw it somewhere....

Looks like you can still get 500 bonus points each time you use the kiosk ... though it might be targetted.

In any case, it looks like if you travel on ANY rate that requires ID (gov't, AAA, etc) you can't get the bonus. Which stinks since I travel on at the gov't rate nowadays. :(

I have used it at the Embassy Suites North in Phoenix... It is slow.. I decided to give it a try since the front desk was busy... I was the last person done.. it was not too bad... but it takes some time.

500 pts is not a bad gift... but still neeed to go over to the desk for my Diamond "gift" bag (water, food,etc)

Last time I used it was when I checked in to the ES in Chevy Chase, MD at about 11:30 pm. It was completely empty except for me and the front desk person. She thought I was nuts for using the machine. She kept saying, "Sir... I can help you here ... sir ..."

... but still neeed to go over to the desk for my Diamond "gift" bag (water, food,etc)

Really? Mine is always in the room ... the front desk rarely has these things.

I'm not sure I'd get any advantage from using a kiosk.

Part of the check-in process is chatting up the desk staff, looking for perks and 'confirming' an upgrade if they have not already bumped me up when I display my card. I like the personal touch, especially if I've stayed at a propery before.

For my Nashville ES stay next week, they have already sent me an e-mail confirming my suite, and welcoming me back. I don't get that from the kiosk.

Commander Bob
Likes the Nashville ES waterfall.

Just got an e-mail that this promo is extended to June 30, 2006. It says it's targetted, but I'm betting if you called up, they'd sign you up for it. Pretty good deal!

I used the machine to check in at Embassy Suites in Richmond VA. Its easy.... not a big deal at all. One thing regarding the 500 bonus points... the machine says in very small letters that the bonus is for Gold & Platinum members ONLY!

I used the machine to check in at Embassy Suites in Richmond VA. Its easy.... not a big deal at all. One thing regarding the 500 bonus points... the machine says in very small letters that the bonus is for Gold & Platinum members ONLY!
Wow, since there are no HH platinum members, that's an interesting notation indeed.

You must be gold or diamond to get 500 bonus points. Also, don't worry about losing an upgrade because upgrades are assigned in the morning not at checkin.

Also, don't worry about losing an upgrade because upgrades are assigned in the morning not at checkin.
Absolutely not true. While some properties may indeed upgrade when doing room blocks for the day, I find that I much more frequently must request/inquire about the upgrade at check-in, despite Diamond status or an upgrade request note in the reservation.

I've used the e-check-in at the Hilton in San Francisco. I too found it slow. It also gave me reams (exaggeration!) of paper to take on my merry way. I have to say, I didn't like it. However, I know full well, it's one of those things that, when I get used to the change, I will enjoy using.

Absolutely not true. While some properties may indeed upgrade when doing room blocks for the day, I find that I much more frequently must request/inquire about the upgrade at check-in, despite Diamond status or an upgrade request note in the reservation.

I think you're confusing e-checkin with the e-checkin machines at Embassy Suites (the subject of this thread). Also, an upgrade at an ES is pretty rare in an of itself (they're all suites, after all).

I used the machine 3 times at the ES Indy. Twice it worked, once I needed a counter agent to complete the transaction. The 500 bonus points are slow to post if they post at all.

I think you're confusing e-checkin with the e-checkin machines at Embassy Suites (the subject of this thread). Also, an upgrade at an ES is pretty rare in an of itself (they're all suites, after all).
Not confused at all. Whether we're talking about online check-in or kiosk check-in, upgrades are forgotten/ignored more often than not. And virtually every ES has special suites that are larger, more rooms, etc. Three of these from recent stays which come to mind are San Luis Obispo, San Diego waterfront, and Brea. Relying on a front desk clerk to glean this information is probably not smart; their typical answer is "all our rooms are the same".