No, but just like a lot of customers, they aren't looking at all the options. There were times it was cheaper to buy a MR gift card with points and pay for the room than use cash. I did a cruise through MR that was cheaper than dealing with the cruise line. Fortunately I had a ton of points that weren't going to get burned up otherwise so no cash outlay at all (boy was I fooled!). :) :) How do you spell excursions?

Does online checking affect chances of a room upgrade?
 

Staying at the JW in NYC...which is better for a room upgrade checking in ahead of time or checking at the desk and talking with the agent?

You can check your reservation a day in advance to see if you've already been given an upgrade. I don't do online check-in because I think I have a better chance w/ the FDC if I've not yet been upgraded.

Cheers..

I have used mobile check-in only a handful of times, and only at properties where I consider myself a 'regular' (>25 nights at the property). FWIW I am a Platinum Elite, and was every time I that tried using mobile check in.

Each time my mobile check-in yielded a less desirable room at the property than I am typically given when checking-in in person.

I know this is a little off topic. But I can say that for me, mobile check-in appears to have negatively affected the chances of my receiving the room preferences listed in my profile (high floor, refrigerator, even the 'guaranteed' King bed, etc), much less an upgrade. It's almost like the process for mobile check in, does not include reviewing the guests account preferences/history.

This is across multiple brands too; Courtyard, Marriott, Gaylord.

It's too bad that many of us avoid using the Marriott online check in for the reasons above.

I just tried Hilton online check-in, and it was great. It let me pick from available rooms on every floor, and it even let me pick some "upgraded" standard rooms that cost more online (corner rooms, better view, etc.).

I ended up with a top-floor corner room with a nice view, and they gave me bottled water and breakfast coupons at check-in without having to ask. Not bad for a CC Gold Elite member.

With Marriott, I'd have to beg at the front desk for the same items, unless I stayed at the property regularly.

Quite the opposite experience
 

Granted, I've only used it at hotels where I am a regular, but my understanding from the FD is that when you check in using the mobile app, it generates a message in their system with the details (check-in time, name, status etc.). Since the staff at the properties where I stay recognize me, I've been upgraded every single time.

Neutral for me....I never got upgraded before mobile checkin and I still don't get upgraded with mobile checkin. Given this, it probably doesn't matter

It should be noted that online check in isn't a guarantee of an upgraded room. VickiSoCal did OLCI & supposedly had a great suite upgrade, but discovered upon arrival a normal room because another group was willing to pay for the suite.

Cheers.

+1

I have been using mobile check-in and agree at least for CY and MI properties that I seem to get a less desirable room at least half of the time. I think I will revert back to using standard check-in when I arrive.

--Jon

Can't imagine the reason why this is the case but if this is what you have encountered, I will stop my OLCI immediately.

Because MOST Marriotts do not upgrade automatically and in advance and are subject to the whims of the front desk and your negotiating skills.

The OLCI software probably just selects the next cleaned & available room type available when you click in.

Agreed. This is the most likely situation.

I've been staying at the same property every week for the last three months and it doesn't matter how I check-in, I never get an upgrade to a room better than what I've booked. My experience with Hilton is that even if I do an app check-in that I still receive upgrades upon arrival if they're available.

I have yet receive an upgrade for any of my stays. I have stayed over 100 nights last year at various Marriott properties. I tried mobile check in couple times and got less desirable rooms, that is, lower floor rooms. I prefer higher floor.