expedite check-in ?
 

To start I am Plat.

How can I expedite my check-in process at a particular property? Each week I arrive at the same hotel almost the same time, even same check-in person. That person still goes through a long check-in process(at that time of day it is for me), credit card on file, ID, etc.. I see over to the right of me many 'conference' folks already have rooms and keys assigned sorted ALPHA.

How can I ensure each week that my keys are ready and just grab and go? I see no web check-in on app or web. I also arrive about 5am so there are no lines and booked my stay starting the night before. I even call the night of check-in and ask for phone check-in and I am assured I will be checked in. At 5am and arriving from the redeye, I would love to grab my keys and go to bed and save 5 minutes of the same routine.

BTW, I have spoken to the manager a while back and he informed me it would be all set each Monday at 5am but it never is.

I just got an email (titled <my first name,> "you asked for mobile check-in. You got it" on Nov 24 announcing mobile check-in on the app:
I presume it is a new or updated app (I never used a Marriott app before), so I don't know what you need to do to get your app to do mobile check-in, but it sounds possible somehow.

However, I also don't know if there's a limit on when you can do such mobile check-in (ie, whether it still works at 5 am).
Btw, one of the questions they always ask me as a Plat is do I want points (meaning as the Plat check-in bonus, as opposed to the $10 coupon). I don't know if you can specify that in mobile check-in.

EDITED TO ADD:

Hm, now I'm confused, according to these threads, mobile check-in has been available a while. But it has some timing restrictions which may not working for you if you're booking the previous evening and then checking in right after you get off a plane at 5 am. And it also may not have been working at most hotels up to now??? :confused:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...roperties.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...app-3-0-a.html

I do not have a mobile check-in option on my marriott app (android) or www address for these reservations. if so I would check-in sunday night as I am paying for it and just arrive monday at 5am as usual.

Honestly I'd go back to the manager you spoke with and let them know of the issues you've experienced since you last spoke and give him/her the opportunity to correct the situation

Well, something is changing, but I'm not sure when.

See this other thread I just started about the new key packet:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...antly-com.html

This key packet (or any key packet promoting mobile check-in) didn't exist last week, so it also imples that mobile check-in just got revamped. So your experiences from previous weeks with mobile check-in may not apply.

You may want see if your app has an update waiting to applied?

See also here:

http://www.marriott.com/marriott/mob...and-resorts.mi

It says North America and "select" hotels around the world. But you didn't explain where this hotel is that you keep checking into!

My app is up to date as of Dec 2nd. The property is in Chicago land.

I guess going back to the manager is the best choice with all my future reservation numbers, that would be the best re-start and see if he can 'address' the issue. I prefer not to sound like a 'whiner' and trying to avoid the second talk with him but time is money in this case and I am not really looking for an extra perk.

FYI, I have not seen a mobile check in option for any Marriott stay this year for me. I do know it exist but not for my hotels yet.

Also, is it normal for convention folks to have their rooms ready, keys and welcome cards to expedite their check-in, before PLAT members. I have not seen this behavior before and the hotel in question here is not a typical convention hotel. It would be nice for PLATs to have this opportunity IMO.

Yes, I've been at hotels where they have a group, and everyone's keys were already programmed and in envelopes with their names. I assume they've got someone in the back office that does this the morning of arrival.

OP's issue us with the manager who committed to doing it and didn't. Either live with the fact that the place can't meet your expectations or try somewhere else.

While it's a very good REN, if I continue to have these small problems I will leave sooner than later. I have already made new reservations for a different Marriott after the New Year but the question still holds, is there a better way to streamline check-in for elites than the current process?

Most properties actually do pre-assign rooms and will have a package ready for certain HVC's (as opposed to merely "elite").

But, the problem is that there are enough people out there with legitimate needs to make changes and DYKWIA's who don't have a legitimate need, but still demand it, that stuff gets changed around.

Practically speaking, you may do better in terms of room assignment if you make a personal connection with the FD person, take care of him at holidays and the like. OTOH, you may not care about the room you get and value the 45 seconds it takes even more.

I don't know any property which simply lets customers grab keys without monitoring. If it's a tour group, it may be the tour organizer or a meeting planner, but someone is watching the keys walk out.

Mobile check-in is currently available at Marriott branded properties only, so that is the reason you do not see it available for a stay at a Renaissance. That said, I do know that Renaissance did have a pilot "Lobby Ambassador" program that I believe still exists, but I never utilized it and it is unlikely to be available at 5AM.