Originally Posted by
smmrfld
There is no point. It's a completely useless service.
At the Hilton Old Town Alexandria, a hotel that I often stay at, the online check-in does save a couple of minutes at the front desk. They have my breakfast coupons and Internet code ready in a folder. They just enable the key card and I can go immediately to the room. The whole front desk process probably takes about 30 seconds, though I actually do spend some additional time talking to the agent.
So, at least at this hotel, there is value to online check-in.