jrhmdtraum

SkiAdcock

Sigh - actually you're wrong. The CC is NOT billed at the moment you do mobile check in. The "hold" isn't even done until you're in front of the desk checking in. They'll ask if you want to keep it on the credit card on file, but the "authorization" isn't done until then. FDC will usually ask if you want to use the CC on file, but until they see a 'check in is complete' or 'CC is denied' on their screen, odds are you're not getting the key to the room.

Check in of course is a bit different from upgrades. You seem to think you're guaranteed a suite upgrade at time of mobile check in, but that's not necessarily the case. There could be a variety of reasons you're not getting one. I'd also say (this is just me & YMMV) but if you're checking in late at night & potentially checking out the next day, who cares. I've gotten plenty of suite upgrades where it literally didn't matter to me because I was not going to be in the room much.

Cheers.

CJKatl

This has been my experience, even sometimes when I don't do mobile check-in.

BeatCal

How it works and how it is supposed to work.
Disconnect: Don't know abt your history in operations. Do know my wife is the owner of a marriott resort. The mobile check-in was set up to speed you through. You should be charged and room assigned at that time with all you need to do is show your id and obtain your key. There is no other advantage of a mobile check-in. This was why it was "created". Whether other hotels follow the program or not, I don't know. Yes I have been asked for my card at check-in and I politely decline to educate them.

Points Scrounger

Perhaps Marriott is different, but at a recent SPG stay, I tried asking whether I could use the card on file for incidentals, and was told absolutely not. Clerk insisted that I had to insert a physical card to cover incidentals, even if it was the same one as guaranteed the room rate at booking.

dmodemd

I have never had Mobile Check-in have any apparent effect. I have never received a room ready notification as well. I am not sure if the properties I have stayed at even look at or know about the mobile check-in. At one JW, I announced I had checked in via mobile and they asked "what is that?". Basically, there is extra effort to do anything beyond the standard walk-in/check-in process, so they likely don't do it. I often do find my room to have been pre-assigned at some point earlier, but I never see more than a minor upgrade unless I specifically ask for it. Then I may get what they may have available at that time. Now, I did use the in-app chat feature after I had checked in once to request something and it worked very well! However, I am not sure I want to take a chance and waste many minutes waiting for a response to see if anyone is listening rather than just calling.

BeatCal

and there in lies the problem

vishalgupta22

My experience is same with almost every Marriott / SPG property I check in at. From RI to JWM, I am always asked to produce credit card and ID.

I have tried asking the FSCs to user the card on file but I was always told to show the card.

There only place the card on file queue perfectos is Avis (probably all car rentals but I only know if Avis coz that's what I am allowed)

SkiAdcock

So getting back to your original question. How does your wife handle the early check ins & suite upgrades? If multiple elites do mobile check in & arrive at different times, which gets the upgrade (assuming status is equal) first, the ones arriving early or the last person arriving?

Cheers.

vishalgupta22

My experience is same with almost every Marriott / SPG property I check in at. From RI to JWM, I am always asked to produce credit card and ID.

I have tried asking the FDCs to user the card on file but I was always told to show the card.

There only place the card on file queue perfectos is Avis (probably all car rentals but I only know if Avis coz that's what I am allowed)

BeatCal

the way the program was set up for. the one who checks in first: whether by time of mobile or time of front desk. That is the whole purpose of mobile check in. you show up to desk and are handled your keys. the only problem they had was for points or gift for platinum. Now they give points and in confirmation of early check in state they gave points and if the person prefers the gift, to ask

hockeyinsider

Except some properties have your phone as the key so you are actually checked into a room and can right there without visiting the front desk.

hockeyinsider

Was it the JW Marriott Essex House? They have a horrible check-in system. They told me they use a different system and can't see anything from my Marriott profile (I don't know whether that is true or not).

Handcake

I ALWAYS get asked for my card. 100% of the time. I don't really get the point of having it in the card information in the app if they ALWAYS ask for the card. I even asked, what's the point of using the app then?

As I travel mostly in Asia, they almost always want to see my passport. In China it is the law, so the app isn't going to get you around that loophole.

What the app does for me is has my cards waiting at the elite check-in prior to me being there, as well, my room is ready to go (usually) once I have arrived. Also, I don't have to worry about returning the keys or waiting to check out, I just use the app for that.

I have had a room upgrade as a gold about 80% of the time I've checked in. I have only had a suite upgrade twice, and once it didn't really feel like a real suite...was only slightly larger than a regular room.

ohmark

Was true for me until about a 6 months ago. Since then, when using mobile checkin, have been asked less than 50% of time. When it first starting happening, I asked the FDC why credit card not asked for. FDC replied, mobile checkin.