FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Why is Marriott so stingy with late checkout?
Old Mar 13, 2014 | 5:23 pm
  #91  
valor155
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DEN
Programs: United Premier 1K, Marriott Platinum, Frontier, Delta, Hertz Gold, National Emerald Club
Posts: 927
Originally Posted by besunman
Every time it seems like a negotiation/battle, they first say no, then look at your profile (Oh a Plat Premier, not that that should matter over gold or anything). Then they come back with 12:30 I ask 2PM and eventually we make it 1PM.
And I would understand if they are completely sold out (which they say they were) but I checked later and they were still selling rooms on the hotel tonight app, it was a Monday.
And in my 4 last years as PP I have never had an experience at any Marriott where they just granted me the time I asked initially. (And I only use this benefit maybe 5 to 8 times a year)
I know this is property-by-property, but my perception is that this is definitely more of a systemic issue with late checkout. Like the poster above. I want to relay a recent experience at a Residence Inn in Albany, NY.

The hotel was great. Very friendly and helpful with baggage, shuttle, etc. No reason to expect to have any issues. But, I needed a late checkout, and I found myself thinking, "Well, I need 1:30pm, so I better ask for 2pm." This thread got me to thinking about why I would approach the situation in that manner, all things considered. Late checkout is not that big of a deal most days, and this place wasn't full up.
It must have been based on prior experience with other Marriotts, of course . . . and it was.
How did it play out?
"I would like to request a late checkout. I am a Marriott Platinum if that makes a difference."
"When would you like?"
"2pm please"
"Okay let me check" . . . goes to the back room, and emerges, "We can do 1pm".
"Alright okay."

Reality or not . . . that is the general result I expect to have when I ask for late checkouts at Marriotts. I'm sure many Marriotts are more accommodating, but in my experience, they generally aren't for a Plat.

I'd prefer it not to be that way across the board, but I suppose since I travel mainly for business, it isn't as big a deal as it is for some. Well, there's my experiences with the matter for you.
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