Maybe you could share the location and country of the specific Courtyard where you've experienced this to get a more specific response because - as other posters have already said - it is normal practice (and indeed a legal requirement) in many countries for the check-in desk to make a copy of your passport when you arrive irrespective of online check-in behaviour and they will take the opportunity to pre-authorise a credit card for incidentals. Essentially doing the exact same process as if you rocked up without having checked in online. Nobody can provide any further insight into your situation unless you tell us exactly where you experienced this. I've not experienced anything different with award bookings with regards to online check-ins on the app but then my expectation is to head to the front desk anyway with my passport and credit card ready before they will let me go to the room.