Early AM Arrivals- Booking the Previous day
Feb 16, 2006, 6:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM/2MM Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond,
Posts: 8,907
Early AM Arrivals- Booking the Previous day
I don't know about most of you, but the last words I want to hear after an overnite trans-Atlantic flight is that the room is not ready... leave your luggage with the bell captain and come back around 2PM.
So I have started booking the room for the night before my early AM arrivals to assure that the room is ready and waiting. I have had some non-chains cut a deal for such arrangement... sometimes only 1/2 price. Does anyone have any experienece with any European Marriotts cutting a discount? And what strategy do you use to assure the room is waiting and that you are not considered a no-show, even with the reservation guaranteed?
So I have started booking the room for the night before my early AM arrivals to assure that the room is ready and waiting. I have had some non-chains cut a deal for such arrangement... sometimes only 1/2 price. Does anyone have any experienece with any European Marriotts cutting a discount? And what strategy do you use to assure the room is waiting and that you are not considered a no-show, even with the reservation guaranteed?
Feb 16, 2006, 7:55 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: DL - Plat, Marriott - Plat, Hilton - Diamond, SPG- Plat, National- ES
Posts: 1,857
I have done this, but not attempted to get a discount.
My suggestion is to notify the hotel in advance that you will be arriving late (or early)
The only time I had a problem, was in Orlando FL. I told them that they had two choices, refund my money or give me a key. The manager gave me the key!
My suggestion is to notify the hotel in advance that you will be arriving late (or early)
The only time I had a problem, was in Orlando FL. I told them that they had two choices, refund my money or give me a key. The manager gave me the key!
Feb 16, 2006, 8:06 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Programs: UA Plat-2MM, Marriott Life Titanium, Hyatt something
Posts: 1,888
Definitely put a note in the reservation that you are arriving in the morning.
If you want a deal, you'll have to talk to the hotel. If they have a "day room rate" you may be able to get that for your first day. I believe they usually run about 75% of the equivalent overnight rate. Not that if you book a day room, it would not count as a stay for the previous night (i.e. no night's credit in Marriott Rewards).
Charles
If you want a deal, you'll have to talk to the hotel. If they have a "day room rate" you may be able to get that for your first day. I believe they usually run about 75% of the equivalent overnight rate. Not that if you book a day room, it would not count as a stay for the previous night (i.e. no night's credit in Marriott Rewards).
Charles
Jan 20, 2017, 2:06 pm
#4
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Join Date: Jul 2002
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Anyone have any recent experience doing this?
I don't expect a "deal" - I just want to book a 7-night stay, say Monday-to-Monday, but arrive Tuesday morning at 8AM and have my room ready. No hassles, surprises, or anything else between me and a hot shower.
I know I can OLCI and perhaps even phone the front desk to talk to a human. I'm just wondering if this works in practice, or if it's something that hotels aren't supposed to do and even if an FDC says "yeah, we'll hold your room", I might not want to risk it...
I don't expect a "deal" - I just want to book a 7-night stay, say Monday-to-Monday, but arrive Tuesday morning at 8AM and have my room ready. No hassles, surprises, or anything else between me and a hot shower.
I know I can OLCI and perhaps even phone the front desk to talk to a human. I'm just wondering if this works in practice, or if it's something that hotels aren't supposed to do and even if an FDC says "yeah, we'll hold your room", I might not want to risk it...
Jan 20, 2017, 2:46 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Anyone have any recent experience doing this?
I don't expect a "deal" - I just want to book a 7-night stay, say Monday-to-Monday, but arrive Tuesday morning at 8AM and have my room ready. No hassles, surprises, or anything else between me and a hot shower.
I know I can OLCI and perhaps even phone the front desk to talk to a human. I'm just wondering if this works in practice, or if it's something that hotels aren't supposed to do and even if an FDC says "yeah, we'll hold your room", I might not want to risk it...
I don't expect a "deal" - I just want to book a 7-night stay, say Monday-to-Monday, but arrive Tuesday morning at 8AM and have my room ready. No hassles, surprises, or anything else between me and a hot shower.
I know I can OLCI and perhaps even phone the front desk to talk to a human. I'm just wondering if this works in practice, or if it's something that hotels aren't supposed to do and even if an FDC says "yeah, we'll hold your room", I might not want to risk it...
Jan 20, 2017, 3:02 pm
#6
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Join Date: Jul 2002
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I have had luck doing this in domestic (US) hotels, but if all seems to depend on the vacancy rate the night before. I've called ahead and been told the hotel is pretty empty the night before so it won't be a problem and I've been told it couldn't be done without purchasing the room for the night before. Usually the hotels have been able to make it work. Asian properties on the other hand are a different story. So many US passengers arrive in the middle of the night, so they would lose revenue if they started allowing early check-ins. The only European property I've asked if the Amsterdam Marriott. They were not able to give us a room in the morning, but we were able to shower and change in the fitness center.
I know there's a process they run in the middle of the night to determine their no-shows: I'm interested in whether there's a reliable/systematic way to avoid getting caught up in that process.Or, alternatively, if they have a policy of *not* allowing guests to do this.
It would be a Residence Inn in DC where this request is uncommon. But it's definitely possible that the hotel could be sold out, meaning an FDC might be really tempted to give away my room if they get a walk-up at midnight.
Jan 20, 2017, 5:13 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
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Posts: 8,779
I have no problem booking the stay as starting the night before: I'm not expecting any favors/freebies from the hotel. I just don't want them to give away my room or cancel my entire stay. I know there's a process they run in the middle of the night to determine their no-shows: I'm interested in whether there's a reliable/systematic way to avoid getting caught up in that process.
Or, alternatively, if they have a policy of *not* allowing guests to do this.
It would be a Residence Inn in DC where this request is uncommon. But it's definitely possible that the hotel could be sold out, meaning an FDC might be really tempted to give away my room if they get a walk-up at midnight.
I know there's a process they run in the middle of the night to determine their no-shows: I'm interested in whether there's a reliable/systematic way to avoid getting caught up in that process.Or, alternatively, if they have a policy of *not* allowing guests to do this.
It would be a Residence Inn in DC where this request is uncommon. But it's definitely possible that the hotel could be sold out, meaning an FDC might be really tempted to give away my room if they get a walk-up at midnight.
Jan 21, 2017, 9:27 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
Definitely OLCI as soon as the notification then I would call and speak to someone managerial (rooms controller) to have the room blocked and coded while you are on the phone. There is no telling what a FD clerk will do or makeup at anytime, especially alone in the middle of the night.
Perhaps email the rooms controller before the stay, I used to do this when I wanted a specific room reserved for several weeks in a row.
Perhaps email the rooms controller before the stay, I used to do this when I wanted a specific room reserved for several weeks in a row.