Hotel chains and loyalty programs: who is the most generous with check-in and check-out times

One of the greatest conveniences when traveling and staying in hotels is the flexibility of being able to get into the room as early as possible and not having to wait for the scheduled check-in time.

The same of course applies when it is time to leave. Sure, all hotels allow you to leave your luggage in storage, but the room still needs to be cleared. Here's how having late check-out in the afternoon can give you almost an extra day of vacation, especially if you have to catch a late evening flight home.

In recent years we have seen many evolutions, and Covid-19 has also led to several changes to meet the changing needs of the traveler. However, not all hotels are like the Peninsula, which has effectively abolished check-in/check-out times as of 2021. Now all guests can arrive at 6 a.m. and leave the room at 10 p.m. of the next day at no additional cost.

In all other cases it depends very much on the occupancy rate of the hotel; the fuller the hotel the more likely it is to be disallowed.

My advice is always to ask politely. Recently at a hotel in Singapore, in the world-famous Marina Bay Sands, I was given an early check-in at 9:30 a.m. and a late check-out at 4 p.m., all free of charge and without any status and without having to insist.

Below we have tried to list the main loyalty programs and provisions, for different statuses, regarding check-in/out times.

Accor All

Silver: late check-out subject to availability
Gold - Diamond: early check-in / late check-out subject to availability

Best Western Rewards

Blue - Diamond Select: early check-in / late check-out subject to availability

Choice Privileges

Gold and Diamond: early check-in / late check-out subject to availability

Fans of Mandarin Oriental

For all: Late check-out guaranteed (if advantage is selected)

GHA Discovery

Platinum: late check-out at 3 p.m. subject to availability
Titanium: early check-in at 11 a.m. / late check-out at 4 p.m. subject to availability

Hilton Honors

All statuses: Late check-out subject to availability

IHG Rewards

Gold: late check-out subject to availability
Platinum: late check-out subject to availability
Spire Elite: early check-in / late check-out subject to availability
Kimpton Inner Circle at Kimpton Hotels: 10 a.m. guaranteed check-in / 4 p.m. guaranteed midnight check-out
Intercontinental Ambassador in Intercontinental Hotels: 4 p.m. guaranteed check-out
Intercontinental Royal Ambassador in Intercontinental Hotels: 10 a.m. guaranteed check-in / 4 p.m. guaranteed check-out

Leading Hotels Leaders Club

All status: early check-in subject to availability / late check-out subject to availability

Marriott Bonvoy

Silver: late check-out if available
Gold: 14:00 late check-out if available
Platinum: 4 p.m. late check-out guaranteed
Titanium: 4 p.m. late check-out guaranteed
Ambassador: flexible check-in and check-out (within 24 hours) if available

Melia Rewards

Gold: 16:00 late check-out guaranteed

Radisson Rewards

All statuses: early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

Shangri-La Golden Circle

Jade: 11 a.m. early check-in / 4 p.m. late check-out subject to availability
Diamond: 08:00 early check-in / 18:00 late check-out subject to availability

World of Hyatt

Discoverist: 2 p.m. late check-out guaranteed (excluding resort)
Explorist: 2 p.m. late check-out guaranteed (excluding resort)
Globalist: 4 p.m. late check-out guaranteed (excluding resort)

Wyndham Rewards

Gold: late check-out subject to availability
Platinum - Diamond: early check-in subject to availability / late check-out subject to availability

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