Introducing: Mobile Check-In Exclusively at Marriott Hotels
#241
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
It's an easy way to let the hotel know your expected arrival time. It also lets you know your room type. Recently, the app showed my UGs at the Bangkok CY (larger room, meh), Pattaya FS Resort (garden jr suite), Kuala Lumpur Ren (Lifestyle Jr Suite), Bangkok JW (CL level room) and Bangkok FS (two room suite). Note it will not fully check you into a hotel where you need to show your passport.
Cheers.
#243
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,452
Just checked on my res at Marriott Sky City (27 hours from check-in) and it shows an upgrade to Executive Deluxe Room pre-check-in.
#244
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: YSC (and all its regularly scheduled flights)
Posts: 2,519
It's an easy way to let the hotel know your expected arrival time. It also lets you know your room type. Recently, the app showed my UGs at the Bangkok CY (larger room, meh), Pattaya FS Resort (garden jr suite), Kuala Lumpur Ren (Lifestyle Jr Suite), Bangkok JW (CL level room) and Bangkok FS (two room suite). Note it will not fully check you into a hotel where you need to show your passport.
I searched for this thread because I was thinking of downloading the app to check in. If one can't check in without a passport (e.g. ALL hotels in China), then is there any advantage to checking in via mobile app? Better upgrades (as Gold), for example?
Thanks
Dr. PITUK
#245
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,486
If we're speaking of properties in China (at least full service ones), I would think not as the FS Asian properties are generally pretty proactive in pre-blocking rooms for elite members.
#246
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: YSC (and all its regularly scheduled flights)
Posts: 2,519
Yes, it is the JW in Hangzhou and I am Gold after many years of Silver (previously Plat or Gold for a few years) thanks to the SPG match. I stayed at the CY next door last year but don't remember much about it!
#247
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
Is there a definitive view on how mobile check in affects upgrade chances?
EDIT: Sorry: Just saw I am the 1245th person to ask this
#248
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: STL, MO-US and A , SWA A-List, Marriott LTTE, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,883
I've tried this a number of times and it has been nothing but a headache. Not only have I never been upgraded but I've gotten the opposite of my preferences in my profile. Also, Internet login issues and key cards not working. Do NOT use this feature, it SUCKS!!!
#249
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Silver, Hyatt Mid-Tier, Marriott PP/Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 101
It's my first suite upgrade as Platinum Premier too.
So at least in my experience, it's worked out well. I'll have to do this more to get a more representative sample of its effectiveness though.
#250
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,160
I tried for the first time yesterday for a stay at the Berlin Marriott. It saved me no time what so ever in the check in process, and I can't see a single benefit that it gave me. With Hilton I can see the floor layouts and select from rooms available to me. And it does save me some time in the check in. With Marriott I can get a pop up on my phone saying your room is ready. Very beneficial (sarcasm).
This would be the first and last time I bother with it.
This would be the first and last time I bother with it.
#251
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 155
Has anyone used Mobile Check In and been upgraded after they hit check in? Or are the people who have seen upgrades just referring to what it says on the app before you check in (which would also presumably be in the resv details)?
#252
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
The only reason I've been using the mobile check in recently is for the raffle thing they have going. I see no advantages to using it otherwise.
#253
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Switzerland
Programs: Bonvoy LT Gold, IHG Gold, BAEC Silver, TP Silver
Posts: 1,495
To be honest, I don't see much differences... the experience is a bit underwhelming. Tried that twice: Courtyard Seminyak Bali and Courtyard Cologne... still had to wait at the front desk, sign papers, give a credit card (and it was not my first stay at the Courtyard Cologne).
#254
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: Some/Most/All
Posts: 240
It's a very inconsistent from property-to-property and even clerk-to-clerk at the same property. I've run the spectrum between "Good evening, last name's Kettle I did Mobile Check-in [1]" 'Here's your key, Mr. Kettle, have a great stay.' to the same process as a regular check-in: CC, ID, etc., and every iteration in between.
[1] I usually stay in LS, not FS, probably a 4-1 ratio, but I don't think I've seen more than 2-3 dedicated mobile check-in lanes, ever. And IIRC, none of those were properly staffed, nor made the experience smoother for me.
While I would obviously prefer the easy process, I'd even give some of that up, just to know what to expect on a regular basis.
[1] I usually stay in LS, not FS, probably a 4-1 ratio, but I don't think I've seen more than 2-3 dedicated mobile check-in lanes, ever. And IIRC, none of those were properly staffed, nor made the experience smoother for me.
While I would obviously prefer the easy process, I'd even give some of that up, just to know what to expect on a regular basis.
#255
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
I just tried it at the Marriott in WAW. 4pm was set as the check in time but I didn't receive any in-app notification until well after 10pm that the room and card key was ready! Obviously, I'd checked in several hours earlier and since at that time the app didn't show the room as ready to occupy I still had to go to the FD and check in the old school way.
One thing that did work okay was that the upgrade went through (Standard to Executive) *after* the mobile check in. The app says 'Eligible for upgrade' above the button marked 'Check in'.
I'll try it again there tomorrow but my expectations for a smoother CI process are not sky high.
One thing that did work okay was that the upgrade went through (Standard to Executive) *after* the mobile check in. The app says 'Eligible for upgrade' above the button marked 'Check in'.
I'll try it again there tomorrow but my expectations for a smoother CI process are not sky high.