Expedited check in - that’s about worthless

[dougp26364]

Aside from confirming my address and adding my wife’s name as a guest, there’s no advantage to expedited check in. I usually request 3 keys, one for each of us and one to leave in the car for the garage security gate. It allowed a maximum of 2 keys. I guess I should have added a third, fake, guest to request three keys. I couldn’t even change the contact phone number to my cell phone using expedited check in. It told me I’d have to do that at the desk upon arrival.

We have one other resort management company that does “expedited” check in. They collect guest names, car tag number or rental car, expected time of arrival, CC information et…. In short, they collect everything necessary at check in so that all I have to do is show them my ID, present/tap out CC for incidentals and collect our keys. Takes about 5 minutes max.

We’ll see how it goes at the resort but the only advantage I see to MVC’s expedited check in is verification is verification of our home address. If I’d have been thinking when I booked the stay, I’d have added my wife’s name already.

 

[davidvel]

As we all expected. Thanks for confirming with first hand experience.

 

[DanCali]

It can never be truly expedited because you have to stop by the "concierge" (aka "body snatcher") to get a parking pass. Interesting how when you arrive late at night the front desk can just give you the parking pass...

The only company I'm aware of that does this extremely well is DVC. Check in on the app and, if you have a magic band, you can just go straight to the room (at least at WDW). Works great!

 

[TolmiePeak]

Aside from confirming my address and adding my wife’s name as a guest, there’s no advantage to expedited check in. I usually request 3 keys, one for each of us and one to leave in the car for the garage security gate. It allowed a maximum of 2 keys. I guess I should have added a third, fake, guest to request three keys. I couldn’t even change the contact phone number to my cell phone using expedited check in. It told me I’d have to do that at the desk upon arrival.

We have one other resort management company that does “expedited” check in. They collect guest names, car tag number or rental car, expected time of arrival, CC information et…. In short, they collect everything necessary at check in so that all I have to do is show them my ID, present/tap out CC for incidentals and collect our keys. Takes about 5 minutes max.

We’ll see how it goes at the resort but the only advantage I see to MVC’s expedited check in is verification is verification of our home address. If I’d have been thinking when I booked the stay, I’d have added my wife’s name already.

This is why I prefer checking in at HGVC. When I show up at check-in he body snatchers ask my name and it shows up in big bold red letters. I quickly get escorted to a private VIP check-in desk. I have my keys in less than 5 minutes. They don't want to risk having me blab about buying resale contracts on E*Bay to the other guests checking in.

At Marriott I just get into an argument with the staff about how much Marriott can offer me for an owners update.

 

[dougp26364]

It can never be truly expedited because you have to stop by the "concierge" (aka "body snatcher") to get a parking pass. Interesting how when you arrive late at night the front desk can just give you the parking pass...

The only company I'm aware of that does this extremely well is DVC. Check in on the app and, if you have a magic band, you can just go straight to the room (at least at WDW). Works great!

Breckenridge Grand Vacations does a decent job. Only a couple of minutes at the desk and you’re good to go……but, you still have to see the concierge to get the parking pass.its never been an issue because they’ve never pressured us. Even when we do the owners update for the $150 discount on our MF’s it’s more of a conversation with current pricing and offers thrown in. Last time they wanted me to upgrade my studio to a 1 smaller 1 bedroom unit. It was pretty easy to say no to spending another $30.000+ for something we have no use.

 

[dougp26364]

This is why I prefer checking in at HGVC. When I show up at check-in he body snatchers ask my name and it shows up in big bold red letters. I quickly get escorted to a private VIP check-in desk. I have my keys in less than 5 minutes. They don't want to risk having me blab about buying resale contracts on E*Bay to the other guests checking in.

At Marriott I just get into an argument with the staff about how much Marriott can offer me for an owners update.

I never argue. Either it’s an acceptable amount or it’s not. If it’s not I just say thanks but no thanks, we just did an OU X months ago and don’t feel the need to repeat it. Generally I do the scratch ticket, get my pass and I’m on my way. I mild inconvenience for sure but nothing major.

We own Hilton. I have yet to get those big red letters next to my name. They rarely offer me enough to want to spend time listening to what has always been a pressured sales presentation. We have a reservation with Hilton in a couple of months. The pre-offered us online when I made my reservation. A whopping 30,000 HHonors points. Good thing it was offered online. I’d have felt bad laughing in the persons face,

 

[davidvel]

It can never be truly expedited because you have to stop by the "concierge" (aka "body snatcher") to get a parking pass. Interesting how when you arrive late at night the front desk can just give you the parking pass...

The only company I'm aware of that does this extremely well is DVC. Check in on the app and, if you have a magic band, you can just go straight to the room (at least at WDW). Works great!

Interesting. We have never had to go to concierge to get a parking pass at MVC. Maybe we are going to the "wrong" resorts.

 

[dougp26364]

Or maybe we’re not going to the “right” resorts

 

[dioxide45]

Interesting. We have never had to go to concierge to get a parking pass at MVC. Maybe we are going to the "wrong" resorts.

I'm trying to remember which resorts have had us go to the concierge for a parking pass. I can recall this happening at Grande Vista, but has probably been a while. Outside of that I can't remember any others. Mostly now they just give us a little ticket/card and tell us to go over and get a welcome gift and scratcher card. I realize now that the concierge at Barony Beach Club this week didn't give me a scratcher. They seemed more excited that the guy from YouTube was there. The front desk gave us the parking pass.

 

[dougp26364]

I'm trying to remember which resorts have had us go to the concierge for a parking pass. I can recall this happening at Grande Vista, but has probably been a while. Outside of that I can't remember any others. Mostly now they just give us a little ticket/card and tell us to go over and get a welcome gift and scratcher card. I realize now that the concierge at Barony Beach Club this week didn't give me a scratcher. They seemed more excited that the guy from YouTube was there. The front desk gave us the parking pass.

I was thinking about this as well.

In Park City, we went to the concierge, but I don’t recall with certainty if it was for the parking pass or just the scratch cards. I’m going to say we needed the parking pass because we’ve never won a thing on those stupid cards. I know we had to see the concierge in SD. Had to debate the fact at the time they were one of the few locations pre-announcing a new benefit, which in hindsight was most likely Hello Hotels. In Branson we didn’t have to see the concierge. Newport Coast we were at VIP check in (or checked in by the concierge). At Kauai Lagoons and KBC I don’t recall having to see the concierge. We’ve always had to see the at Ocean Pointe, Oceana Palms and Crystal Shores.

 

[dioxide45]

We’ve always had to see the at Ocean Pointe, Oceana Palms and Crystal Shores.

I recall going to the concierge at all three of those properties, but I don't think it was to actually get the parking pass. They just gave us whatever free gift they had for us, I have a lot of "reusable" bags now, and a scratcher.

 

[jellen613]

I'm trying to remember which resorts have had us go to the concierge for a parking pass. I can recall this happening at Grande Vista, but has probably been a while. Outside of that I can't remember any others. Mostly now they just give us a little ticket/card and tell us to go over and get a welcome gift and scratcher card. I realize now that the concierge at Barony Beach Club this week didn't give me a scratcher. They seemed more excited that the guy from YouTube was there. The front desk gave us the parking pass.

I have always found the Barony concierge to be pretty chill. We own there and go every other or every 3rd year. Usually the front desk gives us the parking pass. Other resorts we haven't found the concierge to be too bad. If we are doing a presentation (for the rewards only, never longer than 90 min, usually under as we have no intention of buying), we have typically decided in advance of arrival if we are going to attend.

 

[jwalk03]

At our most recent stay at Grande Vista- we were given the parking pass at the desk. Only sent to the concierge with the little tag for a free gift. of course we were also supposed to do the "VIP" check-in as well- but we arrived early and they were not in yet for the day so just checked-in at the regular desk.

I actually can't recall a single MVC stay where we were forced to go to the concierge for a parking pass- the front desk gives them out.

Now Wyndham on the other hand... I remember checking in at Branson at the Meadows around Midnight and the front desk would only give me a temporary parking pass good for one day and forced me to come back the next day to get a regular one from the concierge when they were open! (The passes were the EXACT same- just with a different written date so the front desk could most certainly have given me the pass for my full week stay- they just didn't want to!!)

 

[jmhpsu93]

As of last year, Cypress Harbour still did the concierge parking pass thing. It have been a few years since we've been to Grande Vista - that place is just too busy for us. We'll be at CH in a few weeks so we'll see then.

 

[frank808]

Cypress Harbour and Lakeshore Reserve has you visit the concierge for parking pass.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

 

[DanCali]

I believe they also do that at Crystal Shores

 

[ljmiii]

Lakeshore Reserve has you visit the concierge for parking pass.

Lakeshore didn't when we stayed there last month...we got it at the front desk as part of the check in process.

 

[davidvel]

I was thinking about this as well.

In Park City, we went to the concierge, but I don’t recall with certainty if it was for the parking pass or just the scratch cards. I’m going to say we needed the parking pass because we’ve never won a thing on those stupid cards. I know we had to see the concierge in SD. Had to debate the fact at the time they were one of the few locations pre-announcing a new benefit, which in hindsight was most likely Hello Hotels. In Branson we didn’t have to see the concierge. Newport Coast we were at VIP check in (or checked in by the concierge). At Kauai Lagoons and KBC I don’t recall having to see the concierge. We’ve always had to see the at Ocean Pointe, Oceana Palms and Crystal Shores.

We have never had to go to Concierge at PC for a parking pass. Do they even have parking passes, I can't recall?

 

[TolmiePeak]

I don't get the whole parking pass thing. You need to a room key to get past gates at the entrance. Are they really having employees drive around the resort checking cars for parking passes? And if so why? Seems like a waste on their time.

 

[dioxide45]

I don't get the whole parking pass thing. You need to a room key to get past gates at the entrance. Are they really having employees drive around the resort checking cars for parking passes? And if so why? Seems like a waste on their time.

Not all properties have keyed and gated access like that. As for checking parking passes, I know they've done it in the past. Many years ago at Ocean Pointe we had a note left on our car after I failed to put the pass in the vehicle dash. It indicated the vehicle would be towed if found again without a parking pass. I don't know if they do this now though I did fail to put the pass on the dash for a whole week at Grande Vista a couple years ago and nothing happened.

 

[TolmiePeak]

I never argue. Either it’s an acceptable amount or it’s not. If it’s not I just say thanks but no thanks, we just did an OU X months ago and don’t feel the need to repeat it. Generally I do the scratch ticket, get my pass and I’m on my way. I mild inconvenience for sure but nothing major.

In December 2024 Cypress Harbour gave me a $300 visa card + $100 Charlie's gift card. Last month when I checked in the person insisted and argued with me that Marriott would have never agreed to give me so much. She basically accused my of lying. I wasn't happy.

 

[dougp26364]

In December 2024 Cypress Harbour gave me a $300 visa card + $100 Charlie's gift card. Last month when I checked in the person insisted and argued with me that Marriott would have never agreed to give me so much. She basically accused my of lying. I wasn't happy.

I never bring up what we received in the past. That never matters. All that matters is what they’re offering now and is it enough at that time to make it worth killing an hour or two while on vacation. If it’s not enough at that time, I just say no and move on.

 

[dougp26364]

We have never had to go to Concierge at PC for a parking pass. Do they even have parking passes, I can't recall?

Yes they do. That I remember for certain.

 

[Big Matt]

I posted this in another thread..... The purpose of this is to get people into their marketing databases. If you are an owner or Bonvoy memeber all of your information is already on file except for the car information and they never ask for that anyway when you check in.

 

[dougp26364]

Out of curiosity went back and looked over the confirmation email for our OU. In it the desk hours are listed as 09:00 to 17:00.

Since check in doesn’t start until 16:00, it’s no wonder a lot of people don’t recall going to the concierge for a parking pass or why some say they had to while other say they didn’t.

Seems sort of self defeating from a marketing standpoint if your desk closes 1 hour after check in begins