I am looking for some opinions from the bright people who frequent this room...
Do you use the app to check in or prefer to check in, in person?
I have done both, but it seems the upgrades come more frequently in person. I generally don't see the benefit to using the app, but I would like to know what other smart people think. I am about to leave for a trip to Hawaii and I would really like to maximize my upgrade potential. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
Yes the upgrades always comes when you did the check in person. Never by the app. If you need an early check in, then use the app but don t expect to be upgraded, they usually gives you a room at the time you need but any. So my advice is to call the hotel before or ask to speak with the general manager upon checking in so as to maximeze your potentials.
Like bejacob here I only use the app checkin if I'm going to be early or late or if I don't care about an upgrade. I only do it in those circumstances because my perception is that meaningful upgrades are most likely when checking in face-to-face. I don't keep a record but can confirm I've never received a suite upgrade when using the app, so all my suite upgrades (all ~50 out of ~500 nights) have happened when checking in face to face...
I can confirm that I have gotten suite upgrades when using the app. While the app is most useful for early or late check in times, I use the app to check in almost all the time. I don't recall every time I've used to app and gotten a suite, but I do remember these few
Most other times the upgrade is a not a suite, but a larger room or one with a better view. To clarify what I posted earlier, my upgrades are not dependent on my method of checking in. I've been just as successful getting upgrades using the app as with not.
I find the app to be most useful when I plan to check in either before the normal check in time or quite late in the evening. If I'm arriving early, using the app helps make sure I have a room when I arrive. When arriving late, the property won't wonder if I'll be a no show and potentially give my room to someone else.
In my experience, using the app has not made a difference on whether I get an upgrade or not.