Hotels Promote Mobile Check-In Usage
If you have a confirmed reservation with a leading hotel chain and utilize their app, it’s likely that you’ll receive a notification a few days before your arrival, encouraging you to check in online.
We are accustomed to the idea of online check-in with airlines, as this is how most travelers (at least in the U.S.) receive their boarding passes. Nevertheless, folks tend to be less excited about hotel check-ins. What’s the reason for this?
- At hotels, it’s quite common for guests to prefer speaking with a front desk representative, whether to inquire about property details, check for room upgrades, request late check-out, etc.
- Even if you complete mobile check-in at a hotel, you often still need to visit the front desk to present your ID or payment method, or to activate your mobile keys.
- Regarding mobile keys, while they are now broadly available (allowing you to use your smartphone to enter your room), not everyone enjoys using that feature.
- If you aim to leverage any elite benefits, bypassing the front desk might complicate matters.
It’s also important to note that mobile check-in features can vary among hotel chains. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, mobile check-in simply requests confirmation of your arrival time and requires you to click a button to check in, and that’s all. In contrast, with Hilton Honors, there is significantly more functionality, including the option to choose your specific room from any available options in your category.
My Perspective on Hotel Mobile Check-In
I have a rather neutral stance on hotel mobile check-in — sometimes I utilize it, while at other times I skip it.
One thing to point out is that I can’t recall the last time I actually used the mobile key function, which allows your phone to unlock the room. I’m not exactly sure why, but it’s something that has never particularly intrigued me. Perhaps I just need to acclimate to it… I’m curious if others share my sentiment?
When hotels first launched mobile check-in (around a decade ago), I experimented with it several times, and it frequently malfunctioned. Perhaps those experiences contribute to my ongoing reluctance to use it.
Considering that, here are the scenarios when I typically opt for online check-in:
- If I’m satisfied with the room category assigned to me (usually visible through the app), taking into account the potential for elite upgrades.
- If I’m arriving extremely late and want to ensure the hotel doesn’t cancel my booking or walk me.
- If I’m staying at a limited-service hotel, or for a brief visit where an upgrade is unlikely or unimportant to me.
When I do opt for mobile check-in, I still always stop by the front desk. However, I find that it often expedites the check-in process to some degree, and frequently the keys are already ready for me, handed over after I present my ID.
On the other hand, I generally refrain from checking in online if:
- My room type does not appear upgraded, and I suspect I might have better chances for an upgrade by checking in with a person at the front desk.
- I’m en route to a resort or a luxury hotel, where the check-in procedure can be beneficial and even enjoyable.
So, I’m curious if most individuals share my approach, or if I’m in the minority. I don’t feel strongly either way about this, although mobile check-in has never seemed to be a significant time-saver compared to airlines. But once again, maybe I’m just resistant to change.
Final Thoughts
We are all quite familiar with online check-in for flights. While most major hotel chains offer this feature, the advantages aren’t really the same, in my opinion. Personally, I use mobile check-in occasionally, but even then, I question whether it’s worth the hassle. If I’m looking for an upgrade beyond what the hotel app suggests, I typically prefer to wait until I arrive before checking in.
What’s your opinion on mobile check-in at hotels?