Whether you’re road-tripping or taking a flight, settling into your hotel room is always a welcome reward after a long travel day.
But given that most hotels have a standard afternoon check-in time of around 3:00 pm, if you arrive any earlier, you may need to wait hours before you can access to your room. The solution: find a way to get an early check-in at hotels.
Whenever I plan to arrive at a destination early, I always attempt to get an early check-in. Is it always successful? No. But is it worth a shot? Absolutely.
Whether you’re tired and looking to take a nap and get refreshed, need to take a work call, or are simply eager to get settled and maximize your itinerary, gaining early check-in can make for a much smoother travel day.
While it isn’t always possible, I’ve found that if you go about it the right way it can increase your chances.
Understanding hotel check-in time
Hotels generally list their check-in time (when they can guarantee your room will be ready) online, this is often between 2-4:00 pm. However, many hotels offer early check-in when possible – sometimes this is free, and other times there is a fee. Whether they can let you into your room early depends on several factors:
Availability
The most straightforward answer to whether a hotel can let you in your hotel room early is whether they have any rooms clean, ready, and available. Early check-in can depend on whether housekeeping staff has had enough time to prepare rooms for new guests. I’ve found it luck of the draw here.
Timing and occupancy levels
Your chances of getting an early check-in often comes down to timing. If you’re visiting during a peak season or on the weekend your chances of early check-in are lower.
For example, I recently visited the new Resorts World in Las Vegas. Because it was a popular weekend night, they were at full capacity and I couldn’t check-in early.
Room type
If you're open to different rooms, you might have a better chance of getting an early check-in. For example, a standard room with a less-than-ideal view may be sitting empty and ready for you.
Loyalty programs
Some hotels offer early check-in as a benefit to customers in their loyalty programs. If you’re a member, this may work to your advantage. If you’re not, it could be a disadvantage if they’re holding rooms for early check-in for loyal customers.
Your personal circumstances
Hotels may prioritize early check-in for people with special needs, medical requirements, or other special circumstances.
How star ratings impact early check-in
Luxury hotels are known to go above and beyond to accommodate guest requests, including those for early check-in, compared to budget or mid-range hotels.
While not always the case, higher-end hotels tend to have higher service standards, more robust loyalty programs, and higher staff-to-guest ratios to make sure to provide a premium experience.
Several rating systems exist to help you figure out how upscale a hotel is.
Forbes Travel Guide
Using a rating system of 1 to 5 stars, the Forbes Travel Guide uses experienced, anonymous inspectors to meticulously evaluate a hotel’s amenities, quality of accommodations, and overall guest experience. A property with one star offers basic accommodations, while 2-stars are considered “comfortable.” 3-star hotels are “excellent,” and 4-stars are “exceptional.” 5-star hotels, the pinnacle of luxury, offer an extraordinary level of personalized attention to detail.
AAA Diamond Rating
Similar to the Forbes Travel Guide, the AAA (American Automobile Association) Diamond Rating system is a well-known system rating hotels on a range of one to five, with one-diamond properties offering no-frills to a five-diamond hotel acting as the epitome of luxury and sophistication. AAA Diamond Ratings are awarded by experienced inspectors who conduct unannounced visits to evaluate room quality, facilities, dining experiences, and overall ambiance.
Michelin Guide
While the Michelin Guide is most well-known for rating restaurants, Michelin also rates select hotels on a range of 1-star to 5-stars with a focus on properties in Europe and Asia. Michelin inspectors place a strong focus on extraordinary attention to detail and overall guest experience, as well as the uniqueness of a hotel.
Can you check in to a hotel at any time?
While most hotels have a standard check-in time of around 3:00 pm, they can sometimes offer an early check-in. Gaining early access to your room can offer several advantages:
A chance to rest or freshen up
Often, travel days require early wake-up times or crossing time zones. Early check-in means you get access to a comfortable bed to take a nap in before setting out on your adventures. Similarly, if you’re traveling with a baby or small kids, getting them a quiet room to nap in can make your day a lot smoother.
After any form of travel, you may be craving a shower and a change of clothes. Early check-in allows you to freshen up from the comfort and privacy of your room before you start exploring your destination.
More bang for your buck
Paying a nightly hotel rate only guarantees you access to the room typically from about 3:00 pm to a standard checkout time between 11:00 am and noon the next day. Getting in early lets you enjoy the comfort of the room longer.
More convenient
If you have a busy itinerary planned for the day of your arrival, early check-in gives you a home base to drop off your luggage, get settled, unpack, and head out for the day.
A quiet place to work
With the rise of remote work there’s been a rise in the popularity of the “workcation,”in which people travel to new locations, work during the day, and explore at night. Whether you need to get in a full work day or need to take a work call from a quiet spot, it’s nice to have a hotel room over a public space.
Can you do an early check-in at a hotel?
Securing an early-check in at hotels often comes down to timing and the hotel policies, but over the years, I’ve learned several tricks to help increase my chances of gaining early access to my room.
Research hotels with early check-in times before booking
When evaluating potential hotel options for a trip, I always take note of check-in times – they often range from 2 pm to 4:00 pm, but can sometimes be earlier (tip: airport hotels are often more flexible.) You can look up check-in times on a hotel website, but I find it even easier to use KAYAK’s Hotel Search when comparing multiple properties because the site lists check-in and check-out times at the bottom of every individual hotel page. This makes comparing hotels and making a booking decision, easier and faster.
Join hotel loyalty programs
Many hotels, especially major global chains like Marriott or Hyatt, give early check-in preference to members of their loyalty programs. The higher you go up in tier status, the higher your chances of your request being accommodated.
Some loyalty programs explicitly list early check-in and/or late check-out as a benefit. These include:
- IHG One Rewards: Early check-in is published as a benefit for Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite guests.
- Marriott Bonvoy: Ambassador Elite members get a “Your24” benefit that allows them to choose a check-in time.
- World of Hyatt: Explorist and Globalist members can reserve a 9:00 am check-in for free. For those with lower tier status, Discoverist, or simply a basic member, you can do the same for $10.
Take advantage of credit card perks
In addition to a hotel’s loyalty programs, several major credit cards offer early check-in as a benefit.
Check your credit cards to see if they offer any of these programs, which include:
- American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts: Offered to Amex Platinum, Business Platinum, or Centurion-branded American Express card holders, this program allows members to book from more than 1,000 luxury hotels and receive extra perks, including noon-check-in when available. I’ve had good luck using this program for early check-in, but have also been denied due to high occupancy.
- Capital One Premier Collection: Launched in 2023, Capitol One has its own luxury hotel program available to those with its premium credit, including the Capital One Venture X personal or business cards. Early check-in is prioritized but depends on availability.
- Chase The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection: Available only to Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders, if you book through this Chase program, you’ll get a slew of benefits including early check-in if available.
Consider downgrading rooms or paying to upgrade
If the specific room type you booked isn’t available, the front desk staff may offer a downgraded room that’s sitting vacant. They may also give you the option of upgrading (and paying for) a more deluxe room available.
Communicate early check-in requests in advance
Whenever getting into my room is important to me, I request it in advance. Some platforms, like Marriott, let you request this explicitly when booking online or input it as a “special request.” Other options include using a chat feature or calling the hotel.
Inquire about early check-in fees
While many hotels offer early check-in complimentary if they’re able to, others publish a set of fees that you can pay to get access. If the fees are worth it to you, take advantage of the offering.
Try mobile check-in
Mobile check-in is becoming more common, and I’ve been successful at getting into my hotel room early using this feature on a hotel’s app. Recently, I had a reservation at a Marriott and used the app to request a noon check-in. At 11:00 am, my phone buzzed to notify me my room was ready and gave me access to a mobile key.
Dealing with unsuccessful early check-in requests
While early check-in offers a lot of advantages, it is not guaranteed. Hotels have standard check-in times for a reason–to make sure your room is clean and prepared.
If a hotel can’t accommodate your request, be understanding. The front desk will more than likely be happy to store your bags then you can head out to explore or enjoy other parts of a hotel, such as the spa, business center, pool, or lobby. Many hotels also offer to text or call you when your room is ready should it become available earlier.
In some cases, a hotel will have a courtesy room for you to use if yours isn’t ready. It doesn’t hurt to ask. But if you really need to be in a hotel room before check-in time, you may want to simply book a room for the night before. This is the only way to guarantee it will be available for you early in the day.
How to check into a hotel
When arriving at a hotel, locate the front desk (reception) with your ID and credit card ready. When checking in with the front desk staff, confirm the room type and any special requests you made (bed types, adjoining rooms, non-smoking, etc.)
Typically, the concierge will provide you with keys and instructions to your room, as well as give you an overview of the amenities and policies. Now is a good time to ask any questions. If you’re driving, you can usually park directly in front of the hotel to check in and unload your bags before moving your car to a parking spot. If a bellman helps you with your bags, don’t forget to tip.
Once inside your room, check it’s the type you requested and it’s to your liking. If you need to request a different room for some reason, do it right away.
Having traveled extensively and stayed in numerous hotels, I've come up with my own list of tips to speed-up the check-in process and make things a little easier once you are on the hotel:
- Particularly if you require an early check-in, make sure that you've communicated with the hotel in advance to confirm that this is possible.
- If you're traveling with a pet, familiarize yourself with the hotel's pet policy to avoid any unwelcome surprises. You can notify the hotel via email before your arrival or inquire before making your reservation. Be safe and keep copies of the email correspondence with the hotel.
- Notify the hotel in a timely manner if you have specific requests, such as your preferred floor or room type. I strongly recommend to discuss these preferences with the concierge during the check-in process. Addressing any necessary changes at that point will be far more convenient than after you have entered the room.
What do I need to check into a hotel?
Checking into a hotel is fairly straightforward, but you do need to come prepared with a few documents:
- An identification card: A driver’s license or passport will suffice. If traveling abroad, the concierge may copy the front page of your passport to keep on file. Your name on your ID should match your reservation (Read "How old do you have to be to book a hotel room?” for detailed information about age requirements.)
- A credit card: A hotel will need a credit card in your name to put a hotel on your card during your stay for incidentals but will be refunded to you if there is no damage. This will also allow you to charge food, drink, and other services to your room.
- Reservation confirmation: It’s usually sufficient to give a hotel your last name so they can look your reservation up, but it’s not a bad idea to have your reservation confirmation on hand just in case.
How to get free hotel rooms upgrades
When checking into your hotel, you can ask about getting a room upgrade. Just like an early check-in request, this isn’t guaranteed and depends on availability. However, several approaches can increase your odds, including mentioning that you’re celebrating a special occasion and being polite to the front desk. One of the best ways to get a free room upgrade is to note any hotel or credit card status that offers room upgrades as a perk.
Early check-in can help you make the most of your trip
Travelers often know that they can request a late check-out time, but early check-in can be just as useful. I have often found myself arriving early to a destination and wanting to shower, do some work, or give my baby a nap before heading out for the day.
While not always successful, it never hurts to try these tips to attempt to get an early check-in to make the most of your trip.
If you found this helpful, you might also appreciate the expert guides on finding cheap luxury hotel and how to interpret hotel reviews.
FAQs
Most hotels allow someone else to check-in for you as long as you have that person added to the hotel reservation. To ensure a smooth process, contact the hotel in advance to ask about their policies and follow their instructions.
Hotels often have a time listed that you need to check in before. But you can almost always check into a hotel later, even after midnight, as long as you let them know.
Hotel policies vary widely when it comes to the number of guests allowed in a room. Some aren’t concerned with it (unless the number of people starts to become excessive) while others have strict rules and will charge extra per guest. It’s best to check before booking.
Some hotels don’t have check-in deadlines, but for those that do, the cut-off is commonly between 6:00 pm and midnight. If you’re a no-show by that point, a hotel may give away your room. If you plan to arrive in the evening, it’s best to call ahead to inform the hotel.
