Credit card in account vs physically present
 

I’ve been with Hilton Honors for quite a while… toying with a switch.

I was surprised last night when the clerk required my physical credit card on checkin, and wouldn’t let it go the card on my account. Hilton generally (almost always) keeps it on the card I used when booking. I didn’t actually have my Boundless card with me, which is an unfortunate life lesson, I guess.

Is that standard for Marriott properties? Or did I get a funny property or misinformed clerk?

You can bypass front desk if digital checkin on the app is an option. Otherwise I’ve always been asked for card and ID at checkin.

Agreed. Pretty standard ... including Hiltons for me as well. Also better with e.g. corporate vs. personal card ... when that gets messed up it is a major pain to sort out.

Agreed. This is even worse for me right now WRT Avis since Avis is _only_ pulling from the stored card (my personal CC) instead of the corporate card the car was reserved under.

David

When physically checking in physically, I’ve always been asked for an ID card but had a variety of credit card verification experiences (in the US). Sometimes no card is asked for and it goes to what’s on file, sometimes I’m asked to confirm the last 4 numbers, sometimes I’m asked for the physical card.

Certainly in Covid times I've been less asked to hand over my card, they are using the one on file even when I have not used the app to check in.

Thanks, all. I realize that the issue is probably related to the online checkin, not specifically brand differences. I’m almost at 100% for online checkin and FD bypass working at Hilton. At this (Marriott CY) stay, I did online checkin, but the hotel never completed the checkin and assigned a digital key. Consequently, I had to stop by the FD.

It’s not a big deal, but I’ll lose out on some points - my fault for not switching the cards in my wallet.

How so? Even if you mobile check in, you still need to stop by and get keys.

Unless you find the unicorn that's mobile keys at Marriott, although you're better off finding a leprechaun pot of gold at that point.

Are you saying that mobile checkin and digital keys generally do not work in Marriott properties?

Mobile check in works. And by works, it goes through. Not really seen much benefit or harm either way.

Mobile keys do not work. I've been to 3 or 4 properties where they actually work, the remaining 400 or so, it's either not working or not offered. Compared to Hilton and Hyatt, it's a joke in my experience.
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That's scary in that different credit cards have different CDW etc. coverage and an employer might cover an accident only if the car is being billed to an official employee credit card.

I suppose it’s a matter of semantics, but if “checking in” doesn’t result in a key, then I would say that “check in” did not work. :)

Yup. That's the hazard of being a FlyerTalker and a business traveler - you really do need to keep on top of which card is defaulted where.

David

I find digital check in a bit of touch and go. Mobile key almost never works for non US hotels, I'm always asked to go to front desk to collect my physical key, and then I'm always asked for physical card.

Mobile key has never worked for me for US properties either so far.

I think I'm at around 0 out of 15-20.

The mobile key prompt shows up in the app, but I never actually get the key.