Originally Posted by
cfabar1
Am I the only one who views this as a downgrade for most travelers?
In many facilities, particularly those not in major cities, hotels have been doing this for years and for free for all travelers.
I don't know any hotels (other than $$$ Peninsula with it's "flexible" check in/out times) that will confirm an early check in for free "for all travelers" earlier than the day of arrival.
For discoverists and non-status, the ability to pay to confirm it in advance is surely a good thing (many hotels
do offer this for a fee, such as mlife, lots of hiltons, etc.) -- and the payment would provide a pretty sound assurance that the room will in fact be ready when promised (and if not, presumably the property wouldn't quibble about refunding the payment, at a minimum).