Early Check in

Why not call them and ask?

I haven't booked yet. I am just trying to get a sense of my options.

Latebuyer wrote: ↑ I'm looking at going on a staycation at a marriott hotel over the christmas break. I've never requested early check in before and i'm not clear how early i can request. Will they confirm with me before i arrive at the hotel? Also, when do i request late check out? Do i request that once i'm already there?

I have had Marriott branded hotels give me a push notification (I did check-in using the mobile app the night before the stay) letting me know my room is ready at 11:30 am, some as early as 10:30 without me asking. There is an option during the online reservation process where you can request the check-in time. I would do that then send a note to them through the app (chat) closer to the stay to ask again/confirm. You can also request late check out through the app via chat before you arrive, though without status they will most likely tell you it is based on availability, so check with them the night before you check out.

Thanks both. There is one Marriott that will give a $25.00 restaurant credit with 4:00 late check out or you can get a 50.00 dining credit but no late check out and a harbour view. I'll have to think about which to do - I don't have status. It may be nice to have the guaranteed late check out, then try for an early check in. Good tip about the app.

If you read the T&C, they can never guarantee anything. That said, if it's available, they'll most likely give it to you, but you won't know until you get there. If you want guarantee, book an extra night.

Latebuyer wrote: ↑ Thanks both. There is one Marriott that will give a $25.00 restaurant credit with 4:00 late check out or you can get a 50.00 dining credit but no late check out and a harbour view. I'll have to think about which to do - I don't have status. It may be nice to have the guaranteed late check out, then try for an early check in. Good tip about the app.

Try looking for 4+ rooms on your date. If there is availability (though it may change closer to) then book the room with no late checkout and ask for it through the app. That would be my thinking. Or book both rates in separate reservations (if they have a 24-48 hour cancellation policy) and cancel the one with late checkout (if you really need/value it more than $25 plus an upgrade) closer to if you can't get a definitive yes from them by cancellation time. With availability they should be able to accommodate it though that's no guarantee.

I have requested early check in many times and have mostly gotten it. After a cruise or an overnight flight.
Thing is, if they give it to you it will be a "leftover" room. One that has not been rented like the ones on low floors or near elevators or stairs or beside ice machines or noisy side of hotel etc.
Late check out is different as it depends on how busy they are. They have to clean the rooms and late cleaning holds up the room.

I often check into hotels early. It usually goes one of two ways:

1. I check in and get my room, sometimes as early as 9am on the day of check-in after an early flight and time differences (e.g. YOW-YVR); or,
2. They have a bag room and store my bag until my room is ready.

I would say 70% of the time my room is available.

I would think with the state of travel, early check in and late check out should not be a big problem but you can call and ask before you book just to see how early is early and how late is late and probability they would deny you.

gr8dlr wrote: ↑ I would think with the state of travel, early check in and late check out should not be a big problem but you can call and ask before you book just to see how early is early and how late is late and probability they would deny you.

With the enhanced cleaning protocols, I'm not sure this would necessarily be the case even if it is solid logic. When I was in YQB earlier in the fall, the Delta was only utilizing certain rooms and protocols were such that rooms could only be used after being vacant a certain period of time (48 hours I believe they said). I'm sure the whole thing is evolving all the time.

dolfan1980 wrote: ↑ With the enhanced cleaning protocols, I'm not sure this would necessarily be the case even if it is solid logic. When I was in YQB earlier in the fall, the Delta was only utilizing certain rooms and protocols were such that rooms could only be used after being vacant a certain period of time (48 hours I believe they said). I'm sure the whole thing is evolving all the time.

I agree. Many hotels have laid off staff and only use a portion of the facility.

The Marriott bonvoy app is pretty handy. In some hotels you can check in via the app and use your phone to tap the lock completely bypassing front desk. I did this in Victoria. You’d need I’d and credit card on file I travel a lot for work.

They have a messenger app in the app and they can chat with you and pass on messages to the hotel. I managed to get early check in for my companion who was arriving before us.

Status matters and just becuse a room is available doesn’t mean it’s yours. That said their loyalist and most profitable travellers business travellers arnt reallt around so a nice ask close to check in and it’s just luck afterwards.

I hate that everyone wants me to install their app but the bonvoy is pretty good and I love the phone for key thing.

Pre covid, I often have to fly in early to meetings in Calgary. I’m
a titanium elite with Marriott and I can get room as early as I want. But I don’t always get the room type I want when I go in real early. The trick is, the room basically has to be empty the night before if you want to check in before 9. If you roll back the steps, they need 30-60 mins to do a good clean, change sheets, etc, the a lot of the house keepers don’t start until 8. So even if the previous guest leaves early, it doesn’t get cleaned right away. What I often do I to just ask them to hold my luggage, I might go to the gym, workout, grab a bite, then get my proper room

The good old days.

GangStarr wrote: ↑ The Marriott bonvoy app is pretty handy. In some hotels you can check in via the app and use your phone to tap the lock completely bypassing front desk.

The only problem with the mobile key is when some hotels in Europe or Asia need a key to keep the electricity/AC running while you are away. I learned to always carry a couple of spare room keys for such occasions so I can still head straight up.