My reply doesn't seem to be going through, perhaps because of the Japanese text in the quote, so I'll try it again without that text:
Originally Posted by
ElevatorEnthusiast
The Japanese language terms and conditions have been updated to say that 2 PM is guaranteed and that 4 PM is subject to availability of the guest room. Ironically, for Japan, that might actually be an improvement as I have been denied even 2 PM before :-)
There is chatter on a Reddit thread that some Ambassadors have told calling members that this will be reflected globally and some Ambassadors saying this is not a change they or their colleagues have heard of.
This thankfully appears to be a translation error that's only supposed to apply to the "Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy" brand, but they forgot to translate that part.
Translated to English (via Google), the relevant part says: "4 PM Late Checkout: Platinum Elite and above members can delay checkout until 4 PM local time at the participating property. Members can request late checkout when booking through the central reservation system, at check-in, through the mobile app (where available), or at any time during their stay. Platinum Elite and above members are guaranteed a late checkout until 2 PM local time. They can also request extended checkout times until 4 PM local time, subject to room availability."
The corresponding part of the English T&C says: "
4 p.m. Late Checkout. Platinum Elite Members and above may check out as late as 4 p.m. local time of the Participating Property. Members can request late checkout when making a reservation through central reservations, at check-in, via the mobile app (where available) or at any time during their stay.
At Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, Platinum Elite Members and above are guaranteed a late checkout up until 2 p.m. local time and may request to check out as late as 4 p.m. local time based upon availability."
They seem to have just forgotten to translate the part I bolded: "At Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy." Otherwise, the Japanese text contradicts itself, simultaneously saying you "can delay checkout until 4 PM" and also that only 2 PM is guaranteed, with 4 PM based on availability. Since the entire structure is exactly parallel minus the bolded part, I think it's safe to make that conclusion.