Do you get the same elite benefits recognition when checking in late?
 

I've been arriving late for work travel recently and I'm not sure whether it's the hotel or getting in at 10p, but I've been getting less upgrades or welcome packages (a note, set of chocolates, etc) than usual. Sometimes, I even have to ask for the guaranteed things like water.

Has anyone else seen a similar pattern?

Any tricks to getting recognition when checking in earlier? Does using mobile check-in help?

If you could identify the hotel(s) you're experiencing this at, as well as your status, it might help.

At 10pm I could see all of the potential UG's being given to those who checked in earlier given they are supposed to be based on 'availability at check-in', although I do often see properties that I stay at frequently 'pre-upgrading me' the night before with the new room type showing in the App...if that happens I go ahead and do the Mobile Check-in.

As for 'welcome packages', I find in NA these are few and far between as a LTT, but pretty frequent in Asia + Europe, so I find YMMV

I always use online check-in when it becomes available, and I can’t even recall the last time that I got a “surprise” upgrade during physical check-in. The upgraded room type always shows up in the app on the morning of arrival at latest (often earlier). If I don’t see an upgrade in the app, I reliably expect not to get one. So, it’s unrelated to actual arrival time.

Of course I don’t know whether the two things are related, but many properties seem to be doing things with the online check-in information (often, late check-out also gets confirmed in the app). It’s certainly worth trying if you haven’t been doing it.

Regarding welcome amenities etc., I haven’t noticed a pattern based on time of arrival either. It seems to depend more on the brand and specific property. Again, online check-in probably can’t hurt to let them know about your planned arrival time.

The concern with Online Check In is that some properties have been reported to default those to the points welcome gift and refuse a switch to breakfast when requested. As a result, I never use Online Check-In.

Of course, I’m sure most would probably allow a switch.

Interesting. That has never happened to me (not even any need to switch anything).

I see this a lot, but if I don’t see an upgrade in the app by the morning of check in I just chat via the app and ask for one and I’ve always got one.

Even if it’s a small upgrade I’ve had one without fail except if the hotel is fully booked.

Do you get water as welcome gift? I thought it's Hilton.

The problem is that if you get there late the front desk could be a teen who was just there to watch the hotel for the night. What we have experienced was that they tend to know very little about elite benefits (if they when know the tiers at all). They also have zero authority to do anything so if you want an upgrade, request it in the app prior to your arrival is the best bet.

I concur as well and being a bit proactive goes a long way! I checked into a Marriott last week and was told there's absolutely no elite benefits (restaurant was closed for the weekend so points it was...) during my stay other than a late checkout. I asked about a bottle of water and the FDA laughed at me and said this isn't Hilton but we'll give you one of these tiny 8oz water bottles as a consolation prize.

I would say, in general when arriving late the benefits, and experience are lesser than a check-in around 4-5pm. This is made magnitudes worse if you arrive when the night shift has taken over. This is fairly self-obvious as unless the hotel knows you will be late, they are likely to have handed away upgrades and are potentially thinking about you no-showing, and night shifts have minimal staff who are probably more used to providing minor housekeeping care. Often this is when I'm on a business trip or arriving from a late flight, so you'd be too tired to care that much and any room will keep you happy.

Hence as others have mentioned, any proactive reach-out can improve the experience, I do use online check-in and message the hotel my arrival times as far as I can, so at least they are informed. Ideally then the front desk has taken care of your check-in well before you physically arrive, with a better experience and outcome.

Can you share what hotel ?

No Marriott brand guarantees water.

In practice, 99% of US Marriotts have provided me with bottled water, sometimes (like at FF/CY) on account of status but frequently (like at full service Marriotts or higher end brands) because it's just what the hotel does for everyone. And of course sometimes the water is in the room with a price tag but is free because of status.

No reason not to just ask nicely for waters at check in. Sometimes I ask "are there waters in the room" and the agent says "no but here you go," etc. Sometimes the agent will then offer other items too.

I would not check in on the app if you want the night agent to recognize you, because you might not appear on the "guests still arriving later" list. But I would send a nice note on the chat in the app the morning of arrival like, "Hi, just wanted to let you know I will arrive around 10pm. If you have anything with a little extra space I would appreciate it." I am over 50/50 in getting a response that says something like "no problem" to "we'll secure an suite for you" (versus "upgrades are based on availability at check in," etc.).

They most certainly do, it's in the tap if you are looking for it...LOL

Uhm, not sure what hotels you stay at, but I don't ever recall a 'teen' checking me in regardless of the time of day.

Too funny...clearly not the first time the request had been made!

Water isn’t an elite benefit of Marriott. Might be thinking of Hyatt.