An interesting story was posted on the Marriott Reddit page relating to a hotel trying to incentivize its guest to check out early (by 10:00 AM). This Marriott Hotel offered between 1,000 and 3,000 points if you agreed to check out early. Marriott Bonvoy points have a value of $.008 per point so that equates to an offer between $8 and $24.
My take on this offer is that these numbers are not enough to change my schedule. If I had already decided to leave before 10:00 AM due to an early flight or appointment then I would take this offer. If however, I planned to leave after 10:00 AM then this offer would not be considered at all.
The concept does beg the question on what they could do to convince to me to change my plans. While I understand that the hotel may want me to depart so that they could clean the room for the next guest, I paid to be in that room until 11:00 or 12:00 (or even later if my status guarantees a late checkout).
Obviously cash speaks loudest. As I said when discussing moving my airline seat, I need to be compensated for giving something up. I see the options as follows:
- Cash – I place the most value on cash but I understand that Hotels do not want to pay real money for me to give up a few hours of my time there.
- Points – This is a good option since it does not really cost the Hotel actual money. The points need to be worth something to change my behavior
- Amenity Upgrade (for example, Lounge Access, Free Meal, Free Drinks, Car Parking Credit or Resort Credit) – Another option that provides a value to me and costs very little to the Hotel. If for example, you provide lounge access for my entire stay, I value this perk and would be amendable to changing my plans.
I tend to find it unlikely that a Hotel would pay you cash to check out early. Normally they would provide you with points which in most cases will not move the needle. I think that the best solution is for the Hotel to provide you with some amenity that you value and ideally does not cost the hotel too much. These amenities could include Lounge Access, Free Meals or Drinks, Credits for Car Parking or Resort Fees or Room Upgrades). If a Hotel offered me an upgrade from a Classic Room to a Junior Suite, I would be willing to check out by 10:00 or even earlier.
What offer would it take for you to change your Hotel Plans?