Just to throw a bit of a fly in the ointment here vs. some of the experiences posted above, I've had several recent experiences where the hotel did not extend the higher status benefits when the non (or lower) statused person checked-in first.

One recent example would be the Hilton Times Square, where they specifically stated they could not provide any benefits (including breakfast coupons and stay credit) until the statused person whose membership was on the reservation arrived and presented themselves, and if the second-name, first-arrival wanted to check in, they would also have to take a standard room for the stay!

At one hotel this was explained to me that HHonors had advised by memo of some folks using this "second name on res, first to check in" method to get credits for stays where they are not truly guests at the hotel, and that they are to verify the true HHonors member's presence by presentation of same-named Credit Card or ID, in person.

In the past, I've never had this happen. And I still think your chances are good of no problems. But as I said, recently I've been encountering this on more than a few stays.