docbert

Whilst maybe not a stated program benefit, it is most certainly a status benefit at most properties.

Countless times I've been able to check-in and get a room despite others in front of me being turned away due to no rooms being available. Denver Hilton a few weeks ago at around midday I was in line between a work colleague who didn't have status. He was simply told no rooms available yet. I was told that my upgraded room wasn't available, but the were happy to move me to a standard room if I'd wanted (I ended up waiting, but that's not he point). A few weeks earlier at a Marriot property in Korea, 11am in the morning, same thing. They turned away multiple people in front of me, but once I said "Gold" they quickly managed to find an available room for me. A week before that at another Marriot property at 8am in the morning it was a "we would normally charge extra, but because you're Gold".

There's only 3 ways you can do early checkin - charge for it, make it first-in-first-served, or make it a privilege for elites. In my experience, it's always the 3rd of those, sometimes also the 1st, and very rarely the middle option.

Kacee

I have not found this to be true. I've gotten early check-in at properties across brands, regardless of program or status, when there is a room available. It may depend on approach and how you ask, but I honestly don't recall ever being asked to pay for an early check-in (and I do 100-150 nights per year).

The Road Goes On Forever

I would disagree on that IME. Realistically, there is no status/program benefit with this. It's going to be 100% situational property by property and more like desk agent by desk agent. If you approach the right person the right way and the room is available, you're golden.