Hotel early check-in?

[leebee]

Do you do early check-in at your hotel (not necessarily Disney, just any hotel)? What are the benefits? I don't have a cell phone so I can't use a mobile key, so that's out; I have to go to the front desk anyhow. I'm wondering if we'd get a better room if we check in early, rather than our usual late arrival (like after 10pm). We have some metal or jewel status with most of the major chains (Marriott, Hilton, Wyndham, etc) so I don't know how this effects things, either. I always worry if I do early check in and then plans change at the last minute, I won't be able to cancel.

EDIT: I am talking about days early, when the hotel starts sending messages to your email, not early on check-in day. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

Hotels usually have the rooms set at least the day before, if not earlier. They may still change things around if someone comes in before you and requests it (i.e. they want a better view, or a different floor), so that can affect your room.

Also, things like being a shiny member of a hotel chain or credit card can affect your room as well as other people's shiny memberships. If someone with a higher shiny spot than you wants a particular room/floor/view, they usually get it.

 

[StageTek]

To expand a little on what the Rescuers said;

A benefit to checking in early at the front desk is getting to speak directly to a person who can check the room inventory. They might be able to accommodate your room request knowing what room will be available later that day. So if you want something specific you might have a better chance of getting it.

Do you do early check-in at your hotel (not necessarily Disney, just any hotel)?

I rarely do. Getting a better room usually isn't a priority for me so if I'm arriving late (like after 10PM) I'm happy to take what I get.

 

[LoveSpringsteen]

I usually do check in ahead of time (usually at the 24 hour mark). The only benefit I can think of is preferred room selection.

I know my boss has checked in early and then had to cancel his plans (but before the full refund cancellation deadline) and was not charged for his room. So checking in early had no effect for him, on being charged for the room. He travels a lot, so he has that shiny status at most chains.

 

[disneychrista]

I’ve found arriving late has benefits for room upgrades. Twice I checked in to a hotel late (after 9pm) and both times got a room upgrade.

 

[White Cat]

We do it often.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I check in as early as possible. Sometimes the room isn’t available yet but the paperwork is done. I don’t really understand the comments about plans changing. If you are the hotel already, what is going to change? You are on site. But without a cell phone you won’t be able to get a text when your room is ready. So you either keep coming back or sit in the lobby.

 

[Keli]

I always check in early at disney resorts but never do anywhere else. Honestly, I haven't been able to tell any difference at disney for early check in vs later as far a room placement or any other benefits besides skipping the front desk.

 

[tvguy]

Do you mean handling the paperwork early, or hoping to get in the room early? I always seem to get a better room and location when I check in later after all the rooms have been serviced. Otherwise you are at the mercy of what has been serviced early. Got upgraded once to a suite....for one night of a 5 night stay in Calgary. Got to the original room, and it hadn't been serviced. Next day the front desk wanted to know what we did with the pillows, and towels from the first room. Ah, nothing. We were in the room like 10 seconds, the previous night's guests had apparently put the Do Not Disturb out, and housekeeping didn't notice the room was supposed to be vacant.

 

[leebee]

CLARIFICATION: I am talking about checking into the hotel DAYS early, when they start sending messages to your email, not early on the day of check in. We have reservations for Friday-Sunday and I'be been getting email about doing early check-in since yesterday!

 

[bcla]

I've done it once since I usually don't plan on being some place early.

I helped book some hotels rooms early for coworkers at a trade show in Vegas. Then someone needed to be there a day early to meet with prospective customers and we asked about it but were told they didn't have inventory.

But on one trip to Miami my two hotel nights in the Keys were automatically cancelled because of a mandatory order to keep out due to a storm. I had reserved 4 nights but arrived two days early, and in the morning after a redeye flight. They were extremely accommodating and said it would be no problem getting the same rate for those two days, plus I could check in during the morning when standard check in time was about 4 PM. The only issue I had was when I checked out, I was charged a walk-up rate for my entire stay, but I was able to clear that up.

The only issue I could see is what rate is charged. A lot of hotels had differences in rates based on peak times, weekends, major conventions/events, etc. Also - a rate reserved well in advance may be much lower.

I have extended a stay before, and when there were rooms available I was told it would be at the same rate more or less, but adjusted for the day of the week.

 

[StageTek]

CLARIFICATION: I am talking about checking into the hotel DAYS early, when they start sending messages to your email, not early on the day of check in. We have reservations for Friday-Sunday and I'be been getting email about doing early check-in since yesterday!

Since you have to go to the front desk anyhow I don't think you'll get a better room if you check in early, rather than your usual late arrival.

But maybe you should try it this trip. See what happens. I can't imagine you'll get a worse room if you check in early.

 

[tvguy]

CLARIFICATION: I am talking about checking into the hotel DAYS early, when they start sending messages to your email, not early on the day of check in. We have reservations for Friday-Sunday and I'be been getting email about doing early check-in since yesterday!

I haven't run into that, yet. Not sure what advantage early check is is to either you or the hotel. You still have to show them your credit card and get your room key once you get there.

 

[bcla]

I haven't run into that, yet. Not sure what advantage early check is is to either you or the hotel. You still have to show them your credit card and get your room key once you get there.

Yeah - I've never gotten any message from a hotel asking if I wanted to check in days early. Most people don't really plan on being any place that early without a reservation. The only time I've done that was when there were specific circumstances where I had to find a place to stay.

 

[tvguy]

Yeah - I've never gotten any message from a hotel asking if I wanted to check in days early. Most people don't really plan on being any place that early without a reservation. The only time I've done that was when there were specific circumstances where I had to find a place to stay.

Now, I HAVE pre-paid a hotel, but only if they offer a discount. I think I save $25 a night during spring training by paying when I book, which is often 4 months in advance.

 

[bcla]

Now, I HAVE pre-paid a hotel, but only if they offer a discount. I think I save $25 a night during spring training by paying when I book, which is often 4 months in advance.

I've only prepaid when there was a better rate, or opaque booking like Priceline or Hotwire.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Yeah - I've never gotten any message from a hotel asking if I wanted to check in days early. Most people don't really plan on being any place that early without a reservation. The only time I've done that was when there were specific circumstances where I had to find a place to stay.

It's not that you plan on actually being there that early, that's not the point of early check-in. It's just to verify all your info so you spend less time at the desk.
Just like at Disney, you can check in to your hotel something like 60 days before your reservation. I do that every time (maybe not that long out every time, but at least a few weeks). But, it makes it so I never have to go to the desk since I get the alerts on my phone. Which would be the same at other hotels, too. But if you have to stop to get the keys anyway, it would only save a few minutes.

 

[CynBeth]

I have not gotten an e-mail like that either for any non Disney trip we have taken about early check-in.

 

[JimMIA]

CLARIFICATION: I am talking about checking into the hotel DAYS early, when they start sending messages to your email, not early on the day of check in. We have reservations for Friday-Sunday and I'be been getting email about doing early check-in since yesterday!

I can't see any advantage to checking in early generally, and definitely don't see the advantage of checking in days early. Most of our reservations are cancelable, and something could always come up that changes our plans.

In cases where someone books through a third party (Expedia, etc), checking in days early could really bite you. You would have not only the hotel's policies to deal with, but also the travel site's policies. Lots of folks have gotten stuck using third parties, so I use them only to research fares and hotel rates -- then I book directly.

I get some benefits from Hilton Honors, but those have nothing to do with early checkin.

 

[bcla]

OK - I was thrown for a loop as to what "early check-in" meant. So this is about checking in early for a later scheduled arrival and not asking to come in early.