Elite Member Check in Rant
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, UA 1K, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 286
Elite Member Check in Rant
We have all seen that fancy glass placard indicating Diamond & Platinum guests check in HERE. I see no point of an Elite check in counter if it's not being used as such. At most hotels there is 1 queue and the person working the elite side always waives their hand and says "next guest please". The times you can queue in front of the desk, never have I been asked my status before receiving assistance. I now resort to web check in and the kiosk to avoid the line. it would be nice if they honored the elite benefit: "Expedite check-in at a dedicated area for elite members". All the major Vegas hotels can manage their elite check in, why can't Hyatt?
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
Just stand there... someone will come over. Or if they don't, ask another employee if the elite line is being manned.
I haven't had an issue once someone sees that I'm there.
I haven't had an issue once someone sees that I'm there.
#4
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: ATL
Posts: 3,219
Several years ago, I was waiting in the short regular line, only one person in front of me. A lady came up and walked right past us and said that she was a Platinum, waiving her card around. So I just walked in front of her, waived my Diamond card in her face and said for her to get in her place behind me then. She got all huffy.
Sadly I have no more hotel status, after nearly 10 years as Diamond, and can no longer put people in their place.
Sadly I have no more hotel status, after nearly 10 years as Diamond, and can no longer put people in their place.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
If it happens again, simply say to the first clerk that you see "Excuse me, but is someone manning the elite check in line?" That has always gotten results for me. I may have to wait a minute until someone frees up, but I'm always next.
#6
In memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: Kimpton IC, Hyatt Diamond, Gold Marriott, Lifetime Platinum Starwood
Posts: 8,665
^ This is exactly what I do or I just wait my turn in line.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Glob
Posts: 369
We have all seen that fancy glass placard indicating Diamond & Platinum guests check in HERE. I see no point of an Elite check in counter if it's not being used as such. At most hotels there is 1 queue and the person working the elite side always waives their hand and says "next guest please". The times you can queue in front of the desk, never have I been asked my status before receiving assistance. I now resort to web check in and the kiosk to avoid the line. it would be nice if they honored the elite benefit: "Expedite check-in at a dedicated area for elite members". All the major Vegas hotels can manage their elite check in, why can't Hyatt?
Now that you have me joining your ranting, another annoyance is places such as the Palm Springs Hyatt, where they place the placard right in between the two check in stations (and of course, only 1 station is actually manned), so you literally have no choice but to wait in the single line...
#8
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 233
I've never had any type of high tier status at any chain. I've never worked in a property that has a separate elite check-in line.
I would do as some and stand in the line and then ask the clerk if someone was manning that line.
I'm sure most properties that have the lines are elite heavy. Do some people think the lines should be manned at all times? What happens on the day there are 50 non-elites checking in vs. 3 elites. Should the line be staffed at all?
I would do as some and stand in the line and then ask the clerk if someone was manning that line.
I'm sure most properties that have the lines are elite heavy. Do some people think the lines should be manned at all times? What happens on the day there are 50 non-elites checking in vs. 3 elites. Should the line be staffed at all?
#9
Flyertalk Evangelist and Moderator: Coupon Connection and Travel Products
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Milton, GA USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, Radisson Elite
Posts: 19,040
In my opinion, yes. If there are no elites in line, the agent can help the next person in the non-elite line.
Programs advertise the benefit; they need to provide it.
Programs advertise the benefit; they need to provide it.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, SEIBU PRINCE CLUB Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 20,438
We have all seen that fancy glass placard indicating Diamond & Platinum guests check in HERE. I see no point of an Elite check in counter if it's not being used as such. At most hotels there is 1 queue and the person working the elite side always waives their hand and says "next guest please". The times you can queue in front of the desk, never have I been asked my status before receiving assistance. I now resort to web check in and the kiosk to avoid the line. it would be nice if they honored the elite benefit: "Expedite check-in at a dedicated area for elite members". All the major Vegas hotels can manage their elite check in, why can't Hyatt?
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, UA 1K, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 286
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
I don't think they should be manned at all times. However, before the clerk calls "next" he should glance over to the elite line and see if anyone is waiting.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, SEIBU PRINCE CLUB Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 20,438
#14
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: PHX
Programs: AAexp, AC75k, HertzPC, NationalEE, Accor/MariottP, Hilton/HyattG
Posts: 3,614
This annoys me quite a bit when they don't care about the line... I just feel too embarrassed to cut in front of everyone and ask them to move me up so I end up just waiting. I shouldn't have to feel this way and they should utilize the line. It is the best feeling when they actually have it manned though, saves so much time. Not a big fan of being called out saying I am a line cutter and getting glared at.
#15
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Glob
Posts: 369
Also, for those that have been to the Grand Hyatt Kauai, the walk from the lobby to the RC is not exactly a short one. Personally, I could use the exercise, but that doesn't exactly feel like an elite benefit...
"In addition to 4 suite upgrades per year, Hyatt also offers elite check in. Enter any one of our lobbies, try to find an employee, and ask them to take you to the club. Terms and conditions state that we may not even have a club, and it might be a long walk, but as a valued Diamond member, we simply ask you to leave your bags and family in the lobby, check in at the club, and then walk back. Upon your return, the non elite guests will likely be checked in and sipping mai tais by the pool, in which case we may credit you 1,000 HGP points (at our discretion, of course)".
Not directing this post at hailstorm; I just appreciate the OP's rant as most Hyatts which I have visited need to improve in this area, and its a very easy fix. It's a stated benefit, either man the station, or train your desk agents to keep an eye out and slide over quickly (or try this whacky idea, make eye contact with your guests and say 'I'll be with you in a moment, thank you for your patience'.