Online hotel check-in... Why???
Discussion
Online check-in for flights? Perfectly sensible both for me, who can go straight to my gate, and for the airline who require far fewer expensive check-in desks and staff at the airport.
Online check-in for hotels? What on earth is the point???
It would be great if it put a QR code on my phone so I could access my room without having to go to reception at all, but without that, I still have to go and get my room key, and I've already provided my credit card, loyalty card and passport details to make the booking, so it's not as though the hotel are gaining any additional timesaving information from me.
Are hotels just doing this because airlines do and they think they'll look old fashioned if they don't, or am I missing something?
Online check-in for hotels? What on earth is the point???
It would be great if it put a QR code on my phone so I could access my room without having to go to reception at all, but without that, I still have to go and get my room key, and I've already provided my credit card, loyalty card and passport details to make the booking, so it's not as though the hotel are gaining any additional timesaving information from me.
Are hotels just doing this because airlines do and they think they'll look old fashioned if they don't, or am I missing something?
I online check-in with Hilton and it’s great. I can chose my room/floor, make sure it’s not next to the lift etc. I then get a digital room key to open my room with my phone.
No waiting to queue at reception, just stroll in and straight up to the room, works for me!
ETA - if online check-in is implemented in such a way where you don’t get this kind of experience, then agree there’s little point to it (although being able to choose your room can still be a bonus)
No waiting to queue at reception, just stroll in and straight up to the room, works for me!
ETA - if online check-in is implemented in such a way where you don’t get this kind of experience, then agree there’s little point to it (although being able to choose your room can still be a bonus)
I had this recently in London. " Your stay with us is coming up shortly, why not save time and check in online?" Huh?!?
So out of curiosity I did it. They tried to sell me room upgrades , breakfasts and evening meals. Very much like airline check-in. Won't be doing that again.
Arrived, and still had to go to the front desk for my key and room number, and have them hold our bags till the room was ready. All pointless.
Last day got an email asking if I wanted to check out online. No thanks. I can cope with seeing the man on the desk on my way out, plus , I'll want to check and discuss any room charges.
As an aside, checked in online with BA. All the auto bag drop desks were closed and we stood in a long line and.... Checked In. My partner asked what was the point and the lady replied "it's easier for us".
So out of curiosity I did it. They tried to sell me room upgrades , breakfasts and evening meals. Very much like airline check-in. Won't be doing that again.
Arrived, and still had to go to the front desk for my key and room number, and have them hold our bags till the room was ready. All pointless.
Last day got an email asking if I wanted to check out online. No thanks. I can cope with seeing the man on the desk on my way out, plus , I'll want to check and discuss any room charges.
As an aside, checked in online with BA. All the auto bag drop desks were closed and we stood in a long line and.... Checked In. My partner asked what was the point and the lady replied "it's easier for us".
juggsy said:
I online check-in with Hilton and it’s great. I can chose my room/floor, make sure it’s not next to the lift etc. I then get a digital room key to open my room with my phone.
No waiting to queue at reception, just stroll in and straight up to the room, works for me!
ETA - if online check-in is implemented in such a way where you don’t get this kind of experience, then agree there’s little point to it (although being able to choose your room can still be a bonus)
I purposefully won’t with Hilton as they often get out of the tier room upgrades by allowing guests to select their own rooms - prime example this week - 3 nights in different Hilton hotels, checked each time and no upgrade offered from standard king rooms, checked in early in person and complimentary upgraded to a suite each time.No waiting to queue at reception, just stroll in and straight up to the room, works for me!
ETA - if online check-in is implemented in such a way where you don’t get this kind of experience, then agree there’s little point to it (although being able to choose your room can still be a bonus)
x5tuu said:
juggsy said:
I online check-in with Hilton and it’s great. I can chose my room/floor, make sure it’s not next to the lift etc. I then get a digital room key to open my room with my phone.
No waiting to queue at reception, just stroll in and straight up to the room, works for me!
ETA - if online check-in is implemented in such a way where you don’t get this kind of experience, then agree there’s little point to it (although being able to choose your room can still be a bonus)
I purposefully won’t with Hilton as they often get out of the tier room upgrades by allowing guests to select their own rooms - prime example this week - 3 nights in different Hilton hotels, checked each time and no upgrade offered from standard king rooms, checked in early in person and complimentary upgraded to a suite each time.No waiting to queue at reception, just stroll in and straight up to the room, works for me!
ETA - if online check-in is implemented in such a way where you don’t get this kind of experience, then agree there’s little point to it (although being able to choose your room can still be a bonus)
The only time I have really heard of any sort of on line check in being useful was a story my neighbor told me..
At the middle point of his holiday he was trying to check in for his return flight, after a good few attempts and getting closer to the return date he finally relented and made a phone call... at which point he found out there was nothing wrong with the return flight time, day of the month, but as for the month itself... that was a different matter.
Much cursing and frantic rebooking ensued....
At the middle point of his holiday he was trying to check in for his return flight, after a good few attempts and getting closer to the return date he finally relented and made a phone call... at which point he found out there was nothing wrong with the return flight time, day of the month, but as for the month itself... that was a different matter.
Much cursing and frantic rebooking ensued....
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