As others have noted, it's not terribly reliable...IF it's supported. I've only had it work once, and even then it only worked for the first day of the stay. After that the app would show that I'm staying at the hotel, but never gave the option for mobile key.
Overall, other than trying to speed checking in and getting to my room (especially after a long flight), I don't see it as being all that great of a benefit.
Marriott's mobile key is definitely behind Hilton's digital key. I use them every time they are offered in the app and with Hilton (on Android) you can create a shortcut to digital key and when you tap it it unlocks your door from quite a distance. Quick and easy. The first time I used it at a Marriott, I had to learn it's quirks. At one location for the common area doors, it would say 'error, try again' but if you kept it near the door without trying again it, would unlock after a few seconds (if you tried again, it would fail). It would say error for the room door too but unlock it instantly. At one Courtyard, I found out you can't skip the front when you are on an award night. Due to an I.T. issue, Marriott won't send the credit card on file over to the Hotel (for incidentals) when you book an award night, so they have to swipe your card. I'm always down for skipping a line of people and not having to park by the front door and get blocked in by others checking in (or a small line of one person, wanting the front desk to run the rates for her for every discount she is entitled to, to find the best rate: company, AARP, Military, AAA, etc...ha).
quinella66
Aug 3, 2019 8:59 pm
No and I have no interest in it. I like having a separate key, especially in places where I will swim and can put the plastic key in my pocket and not worry about it getting submerged.
Travelosopher
Aug 4, 2019 7:16 am
Does bypassing the front desk for check-in & just using the mobile key to head straight to the room preclude one from getting an elite upgrade, if available, at check-in? Is there a way to select a better room in the App if it’s available? Do people who use this feature call ahead to make sure they’re pre-blocked into a certain room type/location that meets their needs OR exceeds them? If you get to your assigned room & it’s not “right,” it seems more complicated to have to go back to the lobby and make changes. In addition to worrying about technical trouble with keyless entry, I think I’d be reluctant to use keyless entry because I’d prefer to stop at the front desk to be sure about my room assignment when I check-in.
