As the family "travel agent" I'm often elected to book reservations for others. Sometimes I book paid stays, and sometimes I book awards, and have no intention of physically staying.

I often check in online and just chat "So and so will check in ahead of me". Sometimes that works, but sometimes especially if it's an award, the hotel refuses to let them check in without me. I really don't care about points or night stay credit if I'm not staying (sometimes the points/night stay show up, sometimes they don't).

Is there a foolproof way to ensure my people can check in? Call the hotel, confirm they make a note on the reservation? Send them an email with reservation number and person's name, mobile phone number?