Whats the point of digital check-in?
Oct 29, 2014, 9:21 pm
#1
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Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
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Whats the point of digital check-in?
This past weekend I stayed at the Chicago Hilton. The day before I left on the trip I received an email telling me I could check-in online and all I would have to do is stop at the front desk and pick-up my key. I checked in online, selected my room and provided my CC. When I got to the hotel I had to repeat the entire check in process minus selecting my room.
Oct 30, 2014, 1:28 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Programs: Mainly Hilton Hhonors, SAS Eurobonus
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If you want to read more about this, see this thread :
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...on-custom.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...on-custom.html
Oct 30, 2014, 5:24 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA LT PLT; HH Diamond; AS 75K
Posts: 2,877
I recently stayed twice at the MIA airport Hilton. The first, I did not check-in and got a lower floor room. The second, I got the room I checked-in for. This hotel doesn't appear to recognize status or give upgrades though ...
Oct 30, 2014, 6:31 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ORF
Programs: UA 1K MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Accor Silver, Marriott Gold, CAM Card
Posts: 392
At the Hilton Old Town Alexandria, a hotel that I often stay at, the online check-in does save a couple of minutes at the front desk. They have my breakfast coupons and Internet code ready in a folder. They just enable the key card and I can go immediately to the room. The whole front desk process probably takes about 30 seconds, though I actually do spend some additional time talking to the agent.
So, at least at this hotel, there is value to online check-in.
So, at least at this hotel, there is value to online check-in.
Oct 30, 2014, 7:12 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
No, there is a point...
It's this. Every single time I've done the OLCI, that's it, whatever garbage room the computer gives me (or other garbage it lets me pick). 0% upgrade percentage. I think it puts a big red box that tells the agent not to upgrade the customer because they've "already picked their room" or something.
It's this. Every single time I've done the OLCI, that's it, whatever garbage room the computer gives me (or other garbage it lets me pick). 0% upgrade percentage. I think it puts a big red box that tells the agent not to upgrade the customer because they've "already picked their room" or something.
Oct 30, 2014, 7:40 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: HH Lifetime Diamond, DL PM, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 920
No, there is a point...
It's this. Every single time I've done the OLCI, that's it, whatever garbage room the computer gives me (or other garbage it lets me pick). 0% upgrade percentage. I think it puts a big red box that tells the agent not to upgrade the customer because they've "already picked their room" or something.
It's this. Every single time I've done the OLCI, that's it, whatever garbage room the computer gives me (or other garbage it lets me pick). 0% upgrade percentage. I think it puts a big red box that tells the agent not to upgrade the customer because they've "already picked their room" or something.
I DO NOT use this feature at Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Hilton, or DoubleTrees unless I was pre-upgraded by the hotel and can select from the upgraded rooms (Conrad New York, Roosevelt New Orleans, and others upgraded me the night before and I could chose from the new room category). I've had conversations with a couple of FDCs who told me that they try their hardest not to move or upgrade people who use the digital lobby, because they assume you chose that room for a reason. Long story short, if you want an upgrade and weren't pre-assigned one that you can see in the app, don't use this feature and just ask at check-in.
Oct 30, 2014, 7:50 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: WSSS/RCTP
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Posts: 317
Exactly. Or, it could be useful at Hampton Inn/Hilton Garden Inns where upgrades are not a program benefit, or properties where all of the rooms are similar anyways (suburban HGIs come to mind) and you can lock in a high floor.
I DO NOT use this feature at Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Hilton, or DoubleTrees unless I was pre-upgraded by the hotel and can select from the upgraded rooms (Conrad New York, Roosevelt New Orleans, and others upgraded me the night before and I could chose from the new room category). I've had conversations with a couple of FDCs who told me that they try their hardest not to move or upgrade people who use the digital lobby, because they assume you chose that room for a reason. Long story short, if you want an upgrade and weren't pre-assigned one that you can see in the app, don't use this feature and just ask at check-in.
I DO NOT use this feature at Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Hilton, or DoubleTrees unless I was pre-upgraded by the hotel and can select from the upgraded rooms (Conrad New York, Roosevelt New Orleans, and others upgraded me the night before and I could chose from the new room category). I've had conversations with a couple of FDCs who told me that they try their hardest not to move or upgrade people who use the digital lobby, because they assume you chose that room for a reason. Long story short, if you want an upgrade and weren't pre-assigned one that you can see in the app, don't use this feature and just ask at check-in.
When I reached the hotel and checked in physically, was only given a 1 category upgrade.
After that incident, whenever I see from the app that I have a 2 category (and a 3 category once) upgrade, I'll do the OLCI and take screenshots every step of the way. And I'll always get the room shown in the app.
Oct 30, 2014, 9:12 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: HH Lifetime Diamond, DL PM, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 920
My experience at Hilton Singapore was the exact opposite. Booked the basic room and 2 days before check in, i noticed from HH's app that I had been given a 2 category upgrade to an executive room. Didn't do the OLCI.
When I reached the hotel and checked in physically, was only given a 1 category upgrade.
After that incident, whenever I see from the app that I have a 2 category (and a 3 category once) upgrade, I'll do the OLCI and take screenshots every step of the way. And I'll always get the room shown in the app.
When I reached the hotel and checked in physically, was only given a 1 category upgrade.
After that incident, whenever I see from the app that I have a 2 category (and a 3 category once) upgrade, I'll do the OLCI and take screenshots every step of the way. And I'll always get the room shown in the app.
Last edited by Michael19887; Oct 30, 2014 at 11:09 am
Oct 30, 2014, 9:19 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
My experience at Hilton Singapore was the exact opposite. Booked the basic room and 2 days before check in, i noticed from HH's app that I had been given a 2 category upgrade to an executive room. Didn't do the OLCI.
When I reached the hotel and checked in physically, was only given a 1 category upgrade.
After that incident, whenever I see from the app that I have a 2 category (and a 3 category once) upgrade, I'll do the OLCI and take screenshots every step of the way. And I'll always get the room shown in the app.
When I reached the hotel and checked in physically, was only given a 1 category upgrade.
After that incident, whenever I see from the app that I have a 2 category (and a 3 category once) upgrade, I'll do the OLCI and take screenshots every step of the way. And I'll always get the room shown in the app.
The point being articulated by myself and another poster was that, generally, doing OLCI precludes the opportunity to have any further upgrades added on (by the desk agent) later.
Oct 31, 2014, 9:58 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ORF
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Posts: 392
I agree with the other posters. While I use online check-in frequently at one hotel, it's because I'm almost always pre-upgraded there. I'm hesitant to use online check-in elsewhere if the hotel doesn't pre-upgrade me. I'd rather talk directly with a front desk agent about upgrade possibilities, assuming I'm not offered one during the check-in process.
Oct 31, 2014, 11:04 am
#12
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I could see it being a help with a late arrival, even though Hilton elites aren't supposed to be walked.
Nov 1, 2014, 12:54 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
I had been pre-upgraded to the Executive Floor and got a room on the top floor adjacent to the lounge. I've no idea if I'd have missed out on that room by leaving it to check in.
It should more accurately be called "Select Your Room"...other check in functions still get performed at the front desk/Lounge depending on property.
Nov 1, 2014, 2:13 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
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Posts: 5,391
I used this at the Hilton Warsaw earlier this year. I wasn't due to arrive until about 10pm, but was able to check in in the morning.
I had been pre-upgraded to the Executive Floor and got a room on the top floor adjacent to the lounge. I've no idea if I'd have missed out on that room by leaving it to check in.
It should more accurately be called "Select Your Room"...other check in functions still get performed at the front desk/Lounge depending on property.
I had been pre-upgraded to the Executive Floor and got a room on the top floor adjacent to the lounge. I've no idea if I'd have missed out on that room by leaving it to check in.
It should more accurately be called "Select Your Room"...other check in functions still get performed at the front desk/Lounge depending on property.
Nov 1, 2014, 5:50 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
