I just noticed something new today when going to use mobile check-in (don't know if this is property specific as I just saw it for the first time today).

Upon selecting check in from the mobile app, I get the screen that elects you to select your check in time. Right below it is a new message I haven't seen before:

"You've earned it. You will receive 500 Rewards points as your Platinum arrival gift. If you prefer a food and beverage credit instead, please contact the front desk upon arrival."

Does this now mean by me doing mobile check-in that I am automatically electing the points vs. F&B and will no longer be offered the choice when I check in unless I opt to proactively ask them?

Seems like Marriott is trying to get away from the PAG guarantee by doing this now with this message. If they wanted to do that, why not just offer a drop down of your PAG options in the app?

Given what you posted, yes re: the first.

Re: why not a drop down. Could be they're trying to get away from it, or it could be their lousy programmers don't know how to do the drop down.

FWIW - I don't do mobile check in because I've had better success w/ upgrades when dealing w/ a human at the front desk/interacting, than depending upon what is given w/ mobile. OMMV.

Cheers.

It's difficult when each property decides what they want to give as PAG. I know that the $10 F&B thing is rather united in the US. What about in other regions? What if the hotel decides to change it or take the extra miles to give more than they are supposed to?

I think Marriott is trying to get people to just get the points - I normally pick points and when I was actually asking for the food it didn't turn up. I have no objection to the point as long as they credit them into my account.

I found Mobile check-in rather useless and certainly less likely to get upgraded. This is very much the same with Hilton, although they said that the hotel is free to upgrade you.

I've found mobile check in rather worthless also. At my usual SHS, there's typically only 1 person working the front desk, which means my wait time has nothing to do with whether or not I'm already "checked in".

I typically do the mobile check in, just for the slim chance at 1 million MR points. There's really no such thing as an upgrade at the SHS, so I don't have to worry about that...

I'm not sure what the point of the mobile check in is... I still have to go to the front desk and wait for the agent, and they ask for my name/id/credit card anyway before I can get my room key.

Well before the 1 day cancel requirement, I'd be curious what the billing reaction be if you mobile checked in at noon but changed your mind by 6pm. Or if you are a current Platinum.

The only useful thing I have found with mobile check in is for when I want to have the room prior to standard check in time.

I select the time I wish to arrive and then get notified when the room is ready. Saves a bit of angst for just showing up at the hotel and taking a chance that there is a room available.

Other than that limited circumstance...meh.

I believe using Mobile Check In should negate the need to show a credit card as your card number should already be used to complete the process before you arrive.

I agree that there is no reason that a small notes section can't be added to the mobile program to indicate things like amenity preference or any other notes (such as asking for one bed versus two if available).

I am also seeing close to zero time savings when I arrive. Hilton did a better job with room inventory selection, but they have the same problem with less likely to get upgraded.

Rasheed

I did call and specifically ask that if I checked in mobile but needed to cancel, could I still do so. The answer was yes, there procedures to cancel would still apply and I could cancel before 6pm even though I had "checked in".

As for the success of using it, I admit I've had pretty good luck. Sometimes you do have to wait if there is only one clerk and they are on the phone or helping someone else. More often I've found that I just show and give my name and tell them I've used mobile check in, and they hand me my room key and off I go. It usually saves me some time so I continue to use it.

Sadly, if you win the 1 million points, you will required to pay tax on $12,500 of income (the "value" of the Marriott Rewards points).