Online Check-In or OLCI: The Definitive Thread
Mar 20, 2012, 9:56 am
#151
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: PHL
Posts: 352
Certainly wouldn't want to go to hilton.com or anything....
The site has really been messed up for the last couple weeks especially. Usually it's pretty good after a refresh.
Mar 20, 2012, 10:50 am
#153
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
The few times I've used OLCI it was more of a farce. Most times the hotel changed my room when I arrived. Not sure if they gave away my selected room or if it was actually ready by the time I arrived.
Mar 22, 2012, 8:35 am
#154
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Berlin, Germany
Programs: HHonors (Diamond), SPG, Marriott Rewards, ALoyalty, Club Carlson, M&M
Posts: 117
I never see one of these beautiful 404 doors, but invariably the following message:
"We're sorry, we are unable to complete your eCheck-in at this time. However, your reservation is confirmed. Please stop by the Front Desk upon arrival to pick up your key packet. We look forward to seeing you."
The only hotel with a working OLCI for me is the Hilton Berlin, Germany, though checking in online there does not mean your room is always ready at your designated check-in time, but at least you can be sure of the room category you'll get.
"We're sorry, we are unable to complete your eCheck-in at this time. However, your reservation is confirmed. Please stop by the Front Desk upon arrival to pick up your key packet. We look forward to seeing you."
The only hotel with a working OLCI for me is the Hilton Berlin, Germany, though checking in online there does not mean your room is always ready at your designated check-in time, but at least you can be sure of the room category you'll get.
Mar 22, 2012, 8:48 am
#155
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Rockford, IL
Programs: HH Diamond, PC Platinum, Avis First/Preferred, Hertz 5*
Posts: 77
Don't count on it taking. HH website may have been reloaded with old code so just because the front end does something doesn't mean the back end is doing it too.
The few times I've used OLCI it was more of a farce. Most times the hotel changed my room when I arrived. Not sure if they gave away my selected room or if it was actually ready by the time I arrived.
The few times I've used OLCI it was more of a farce. Most times the hotel changed my room when I arrived. Not sure if they gave away my selected room or if it was actually ready by the time I arrived.
Jun 7, 2012, 11:06 pm
#156
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: DAL Plat, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 280
Why does online check in NEVER WORK?
have tried on my last 3 reservations... no dice:
"We're sorry, we are unable to complete your eCheck-in at this time. However, your reservation is confirmed. Please stop by the Front Desk upon arrival to pick up your key packet. We look forward to seeing you. "
what's the point?
"We're sorry, we are unable to complete your eCheck-in at this time. However, your reservation is confirmed. Please stop by the Front Desk upon arrival to pick up your key packet. We look forward to seeing you. "
what's the point?
Jun 8, 2012, 6:30 am
#157
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Diamond, Caesar's Diamond
Posts: 536
There is little to no point to eCheck in. Even when it does work online, it's iffy whether they actually put you in the room you checked into. I checked into a top floor room at a Hampton in Traverse City, Michigan, and when I arrived, I was in a lower floor room. The FDC said he was "allowed" to put me in another room, as long as it was the same room type. Incidentally, my online preferences indicate high floor as well.
Jun 8, 2012, 6:33 am
#158
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Diamond, Caesar's Diamond
Posts: 536
The other issue with this feature is that you can check into a room that isn't ready yet. Then when you physically arrive, they won't let you into the room because it isn't ready yet. I've had this happen, and then the FDC wouldn't put me into another room, because she couldn't change my room once I eChecked in. The kicker is, this was the same Hampton at which the other FDC said he could move me after eCheck in. So apparently the rules depend upon what is convenient for hotel personnel.
Jun 8, 2012, 6:59 am
#159
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, MR Titanium, MR LTP, AA PlatPro, DL PM, UA Silver
Posts: 742
OLCI routinely works for me. I find room moves to be rare once OLCI is completed.
I use it more so to view the room that the hotel has pre-assigned to me so that if I don't like it I can pre-emptively call and get moved.
I use it more so to view the room that the hotel has pre-assigned to me so that if I don't like it I can pre-emptively call and get moved.
Last edited by LedgeT; Jun 10, 2012 at 5:56 pm Reason: spelling
Jun 8, 2012, 7:02 am
#160
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
When one checks in early online, they lose the ability to cancel by the original deadline. A lot of hotels allow cancellations up to 6 p.m. on the day of arrival. If I check in early that day on line and something happens to disrupt my plans, I am already checked in and can not cancel.
Bottom line is that the on line check in feature is a huge benefit to the hotel and usually a minor benefit to the traveler.
Bottom line is that the on line check in feature is a huge benefit to the hotel and usually a minor benefit to the traveler.
Jun 8, 2012, 7:28 am
#162
Join Date: Jan 2002
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott lifetime Plt, UA 1MM
Posts: 919
Has worked well for me at the Homewood. Was able to select a top floor and non-adjoining room. I like the feature.
Jun 8, 2012, 7:52 am
#163
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Wirral, United Kingdom
Programs: American Express Platinum, HHonors Diamond (earned), Aer Lingus Gold Circle, ex-UA,ex-NZ
Posts: 261
On the rare occasions it has worked for me, it has sometimes enabled me to lock in a particular upgraded room. But as I'm mostly travelling by myself, upgrades aren't so valuable.
My main complaint is that even after an OLCI, they still want to swipe my credit card and collect a signature. These are the time-consuming bits that, IMHO, OLCI should mean are not required. They already know and have authority on my card from the res and the OLCI, so why ask for it again?
My main complaint is that even after an OLCI, they still want to swipe my credit card and collect a signature. These are the time-consuming bits that, IMHO, OLCI should mean are not required. They already know and have authority on my card from the res and the OLCI, so why ask for it again?
Jun 8, 2012, 8:07 am
#164
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Diamond, Caesar's Diamond
Posts: 536