I believe using Mobile Check In should negate the need to show a credit card as your card number should already be used to complete the process before you arrive.
I agree that there is no reason that a small notes section can't be added to the mobile program to indicate things like amenity preference or any other notes (such as asking for one bed versus two if available).
I am also seeing close to zero time savings when I arrive. Hilton did a better job with room inventory selection, but they have the same problem with less likely to get upgraded.
Rasheed