Originally Posted by
writerguyfl
I've never worked for any of those brands, so I don't have first-hand experience. (I worked for a corporate-owned/operated Radisson, an independent luxury hotel, and at Disney World.)
My guess is that it's corporate culture issue, not an operational one. Giving late afternoon checkouts can potentially cost money because housekeeping needs to stay open later to clean the rooms. As most hotels are franchises, owners are reluctant to spend extra money on a guest that might never return to their hotel.
If the Hilton Corporate Office and/or Regional Sales Managers don't view guaranteed or extended late checkouts as important, it's not surprising that franchises don't go out of their way to offer it. I never saw any data on the costs/benefits of offering free late checkouts. But, since other brands market it as a benefit, I'd bet it has some positive benefit to the brand.
Anyway, that's my take on it. I'm also glad that some people appreciate these types of posts. I sometimes am reluctant to share some the "insider" stuff I know because I don't want to come off sounding like I know it all.
I always appreciate those kinds of post from people that work behind the scenes. Last year Delta allowed some of the FT'ers to work in Atlanta with gate agents for part of a day and those members had some interesting feedback, I wish Hilton and other hotels would allow FTer's to work as front desk clerks or night auditors with their employees for part of a day to get some useful behind the scene info as well.
As a CPA, it would be interesting to me to see a cost/benefit analysis of offering a late checkout and how Hilton would benefit from offering it to diamonds as opposed to the losses they may have from not having it.
In the past the Hilton Atlanta has gotten all Atlanta stays. Even though they are stingy with upgrades and won't give a checkout past 2, they offer diamonds a full hot breakfast buffet that is really good and they are strict about lounge access, so finding a place to sit isn't a problem and there is 24/7 access to the coke machine which is another plus.
With the SPG/Delta crossover, I had no issues getting a 4 p.m. checkout at the W in Midtown on Sunday (in fact the check in clerk asked me if I wanted it without even requesting it) and received a nice upgrade. Seeing I usually take a 7 p.m. flight out when I am in ATL, the W is probably going to get my business from now on for ATL stays if the rate is competitive with the Hilton. There are plenty of good places to eat at in Midtown by the W and having a 4 p.m. checkout and being able to shower and change in my room before heading to the airport is worth more to me than the free breakfast.
Just seems to me that Hilton would be better off giving me a 4 p.m. checkout as opposed to losing out on those stays to SPG (unless the hotel is sold out)