Ever wondered if you could ditch the traditional front desk queue and step into your Marriott room way before the official check-in time? If you're a Marriott Bonvoy member, the answer is often a resounding YES – and your Marriott Bonvoy app is your golden ticket! Let's dive into how early you can actually check in and how to make the most of this fantastic feature.
Ready to bypass the line and get settled sooner? Let's unlock the power of early check-in with your Marriott Bonvoy app!
The Marriott Bonvoy App and Early Check-in: Your Ultimate Guide
The Marriott Bonvoy app is designed to streamline your entire hotel experience, from booking to check-out. One of its most coveted features is the ability to check in digitally, often allowing you to get into your room earlier than traditional methods. However, understanding the nuances of "how early" and "how to" is key.
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| How Early Can You Check In On Marriott App |
Step 1: Become a Marriott Bonvoy Member (If You Aren't Already!)
This is the absolute first and most crucial step. Mobile check-in, and especially early check-in benefits, are primarily reserved for Marriott Bonvoy members. If you're not yet part of the program, now's the time!
Sub-heading: Why Membership Matters
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Exclusive Access: The mobile check-in feature itself is a member-exclusive benefit. Without a Bonvoy account, you won't be able to utilize it.
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Status Perks: Higher elite tiers (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, Ambassador) often come with enhanced early check-in privileges, though these are still subject to availability.
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Points and More: Beyond early check-in, membership unlocks a world of benefits, including earning points for free nights, exclusive member rates, and mobile key access.
Action: If you're not a member, download the Marriott Bonvoy app and sign up! It's free and takes just a few minutes.
Step 2: Book Your Stay Directly Through Marriott
To fully leverage the app's check-in capabilities, including early check-in notifications, your reservation needs to be a direct booking. This means booking via:
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The Marriott Bonvoy Mobile App
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Marriott.com (the official Marriott website)
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Calling one of Marriott's Reservation Centers
Tip: Read slowly to catch the finer details.
Sub-heading: The "Direct Booking" Advantage
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Seamless Integration: Direct bookings are automatically linked to your Bonvoy account within the app, making the check-in process smooth.
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Eligibility for Notifications: Marriott explicitly states that you'll receive check-in notifications as early as 8:00 a.m. the day before your arrival date when you book directly with your Marriott Bonvoy Member Number.
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Benefit Compliance: While third-party bookings might show up in your app, they often don't qualify for all Bonvoy member benefits, including guaranteed early check-in options or prioritized early check-in requests.
Step 3: Initiate Mobile Check-in: As Early as 24 Hours Before!
This is where the magic begins! The Marriott Bonvoy app generally allows you to initiate mobile check-in up to 24 hours prior to your scheduled arrival time.
Sub-heading: How to Find the Mobile Check-in Option
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Open the App: Launch the Marriott Bonvoy app on your smartphone.
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Navigate to Your Trips: Look for a section like "My Trips" or "Upcoming Stays."
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Select Your Reservation: Tap on the specific reservation for which you wish to check in early.
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Find the "Check In" Button: You should see a prominent "Check In" button or a similar prompt. Tap on it.
Sub-heading: Setting Your Anticipated Arrival Time
During the mobile check-in process, the app will typically ask you for your anticipated arrival time. This is your opportunity to indicate that you'd like to arrive earlier than the standard check-in time (which is often 3 PM or 4 PM, depending on the property).
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Be Realistic, But Optimistic: While you can select an early time, remember that early check-in is always subject to hotel availability. Don't expect to walk into your room at 6 AM if the hotel was fully booked the night before.
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Communication is Key: By submitting an early arrival time, you're essentially giving the hotel a heads-up. This allows them to prioritize your room for cleaning and preparation.
Step 4: Receive Your "Room Ready" Notification
Once you've completed the mobile check-in, the app will keep you updated. The ultimate goal is to receive a notification on your phone stating that your room is ready.
Sub-heading: What to Expect
Tip: Read the whole thing before forming an opinion.
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Push Notifications: Ensure you have push notifications enabled for the Marriott Bonvoy app to receive timely alerts.
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Mobile Key Activation: If you've opted for Mobile Key (and your hotel supports it), your digital key will often activate once your room is ready, allowing you to bypass the front desk entirely.
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Patience is a Virtue: While the app facilitates early check-in, it's not a guaranteed instant process. The hotel staff are working to prepare rooms, and availability depends on departures and housekeeping efficiency.
Step 5: Arriving at the Hotel: What to Do (and Not Do)
Even with mobile check-in, a quick stop at the front desk might still be necessary for certain things.
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Sub-heading: If You Have Mobile Key
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Bypass the Line: If your Mobile Key is activated, you can often head straight to your room! This is the most seamless early check-in experience.
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Confirm Identity (Occasionally): For security reasons, especially on your first visit to a particular property or if it's been a while since your last stay, the hotel might still require you to briefly stop by the front desk to verify your ID and payment method.
Sub-heading: If You Don't Have Mobile Key or Need Assistance
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Go to the Front Desk: If you haven't received a "room ready" notification or don't have Mobile Key, or if you simply prefer, head to the front desk.
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Politely Inquire: Inform them you've already completed mobile check-in and are hoping for an early room. They'll be able to confirm your room status and provide your physical key.
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Luggage Storage: If your room isn't ready, the hotel will almost certainly store your luggage for you, allowing you to explore the hotel amenities or the local area without being burdened.
Important Considerations for Early Check-in
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Availability is Key: Early check-in is always based on availability. Hotels prioritize getting rooms ready, but if the property was at full occupancy the night before and many guests are checking out late, it might delay early access.
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Elite Status Benefits: While all Bonvoy members can request early check-in via the app, higher elite tiers (especially Gold, Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador) have a higher likelihood of being granted it due to their status. Platinum Elite and above, for instance, often have priority for enhanced room upgrades which might influence early availability of specific room types.
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Guaranteed Early Check-in (for a Fee/Benefit): Marriott sometimes offers "Guaranteed Early Check-In" options, often starting as early as 10:00 AM, but these typically come with an additional fee. This is separate from the standard complimentary early check-in request via the app which is based on availability. Ambassador Elite members have a unique "Your24" benefit, allowing them to choose their check-in and check-out time within a 24-hour period, which effectively guarantees early check-in if requested 2 days prior and subject to availability at participating properties.
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Hotel Type and Location: Early check-in success can vary by hotel brand and location. Business hotels might have more flexibility on weekends, while resort properties might be stricter due to high occupancy.
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Communicate Directly: If you have a critical need for early check-in (e.g., after a red-eye flight), it's always a good idea to also call the hotel directly a day or two before your arrival. While the app is convenient, a direct conversation can sometimes yield better results or provide clearer expectations.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to Request Early Check-in on the Marriott App?
You initiate early check-in by completing the mobile check-in process on the Marriott Bonvoy app, typically available 24 hours prior to your arrival. During this process, you'll be prompted to enter your anticipated arrival time.
Tip: Read actively — ask yourself questions as you go.
How to Know if My Early Check-in Request is Confirmed?
The Marriott Bonvoy app will send you a "room ready" notification once your room is available for early check-in. You won't receive a separate confirmation for the request itself, only for the actual room availability.
How to Use Mobile Key for Early Check-in?
Once your room is ready and you've opted for Mobile Key during mobile check-in, the digital key functionality in your app will activate. You can then use your phone to unlock your room and other hotel facilities.
How to Find My Reservation in the Marriott App for Check-in?
Open the Marriott Bonvoy app, navigate to the "My Trips" or "Upcoming Stays" section, and your confirmed reservation should be listed there. Tap on it to access details and the check-in option.
How to Change My Anticipated Arrival Time on the App?
If your travel plans change after you've submitted your anticipated arrival time via mobile check-in, you can often go back into the reservation on the app and modify your estimated arrival time.
How to Get a Guaranteed Early Check-in with Marriott?
Tip: Pause whenever something stands out.
A guaranteed early check-in (often as early as 10:00 AM) can sometimes be purchased as an add-on during the booking process or through special offers. For Ambassador Elite members, the "Your24" benefit allows for a chosen check-in time. Otherwise, early check-in via the app is based on availability.
How to Check In if I Don't Have the Marriott App?
You can still check in at the front desk upon arrival. Some hotels also offer web check-in via their website, which might provide similar functionality to the app but without the mobile key feature.
How to Check My Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status for Early Check-in Benefits?
Your Marriott Bonvoy elite status is displayed within the Marriott Bonvoy app on your profile page. This status indicates your potential for enhanced early check-in benefits, though actual early check-in is still based on availability.
How to Ensure My Room is Ready as Early as Possible?
The best way is to utilize mobile check-in on the app and specify your earliest possible arrival time. Additionally, consider calling the hotel directly a day or two before your stay, especially if you have a very early flight arrival.
How to Handle Issues with Mobile Check-in?
If you encounter any issues with mobile check-in, or your room isn't ready as expected, simply proceed to the front desk upon arrival. The staff will be able to assist you and get you settled as quickly as possible.
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