Steve M

Those were both situations where someone had a lifetime benefit, but where the benefit was subject to change in the future. A better way to put it is that they were granted the benefit on an ongoing basis with no particular end date, but that United could end the benefit if it wanted to. The Bonvoy late checkout situation is different. Nobody is claiming that they couldn't remove the benefit, even without advance notice. But they haven't. The benefit is still in the T&C's - it's just that some properties don't want to honor it. A situation analogous to the above cases would be if Bonvoy removed the guaranteed late checkout benefit in the middle of a program year, and someone claimed that they had earned status that year with the specific purpose of using that benefit and that they believed the contract obligated Bonvoy to maintain the benefit at least through the end of the current year.

Yep. And not just from the risk of having your stuff moved out. After the standard checkout time (or whatever late checkout time they were willing to give you), your room key is likely to no longer work. Not a problem if you plan to stay in the room between when they want you to leave and 4pm, but it is a problem if you want leave your stuff in there and then come back at 3:30.

sxpsxpsxp

On the flip side, sometimes you get "lucky" and even hotels that don't have to offer late checkout do so. I was at the Gaylord National Harbor for a conference and they let me keep my room until 4pm. Of course I started the conversation by asking for 6pm, so maybe that's the trick.

RK23

I just received an email that my hotel will be having maintenance this weekend and kicking everyone out by noon and won't even be able to hold bags. It's NYC and I am obviously annoyed due to hoping to utilize a later checkout and now hotels in the area are significantly more expensive due to last minute bookings. I emailed the hotel to try to work through a solution and received no response. I guess what would even be an appropriate solution or response? They obviously can't offer 4pm checkout due to circumstances outside their control but its still a bad customer experience.

ohmark

And the property's name is ........?

RK23

W Union Square

Mr. BoH

Maintenance is outside their control?

MSPeconomist

Presumably the hotel scheduled the maintenance or at least approved the schedule for it, so this is not outside of their control.

TerryK

Unless it is an emergency such as burst pipes.

MSPeconomist

If the hotel sent an email to a guest on Thursday about maintenance over the weekend, I would assume that it's not an emergency.

TerryK

Good point. I missed that.

Xero

Me getting sick is outside my control, yet I doubt the hotel will will refund my payment for no show.

The hotel did fail the honor the guaranteed 4 PM checkout. It's just too bad Marriott does not have any defined compensation.

DMPHL

I just fought at an AC Hotel to have my guaranteed 4PM checkout. Checkout is at 11AM, and they initially said they can't do past 12PM because of a big event in the city. When I replied that it is a guaranteed benefit, not subject to availability, they said in the app that after speaking to the manager, they can do 3PM. I accepted the 3PM checkout. Will I be staying until 3:30PM likely? You bet I will.

cmculp

That is my recent experience. In the last month. Courtyard Waikiki, Westin Hapuna Beach, and the Marriott Waikiki all granted my 4pm without batting an eye. My rare denials all seem to come from mid-tier properties, likely due to absence of housekeeping in the evening.

as An aside, a 1600 check out can be invaluable leaving Hawaii by red-eye

Mr. BoH

Stay until 3:59pm out of spite. I hate when properties pull this crap.

sxpsxpsxp

I asked for a 2pm checkout at the W Chicago City Center and was instantly granted it by friendly front-desk people. No hesitation whatsoever.