Many hotel loyalty programs offer late checkouts, some even early ones for elite members. The guaranteed late checkout tends to be 4 PM and sometimes as late as 6 PM.
There is usually fine print that resort and convention properties are excluded. But what is the state of late checkout benefit for Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members?
You can access Hilton’s page for elite benefits here.
Honors Elite Benefits Matrix:
Late check is not mentioned on any Honors tier level as a benefit.
Late Check-Out is mentioned on the FAQs:
Can I get a late check-out?
Policies vary by location. Visit the hotel’s website to find out whether late check-out is available and if fees apply.
And also briefly on the Honors terms and conditions:
Late Check-Out: Must be requested and is subject to availability.
UPDATE: It Is Listed As Member Benefit On App:
I was curious what Hilton suggests to the hotels when it comes to elite member late check out, and surprisingly nothing beyond that it is based on availability.
Some hotels have their own structure, such as:
- Honors Diamond member = 4 PM
- Honors Gold = 3 PM
- Honors Silver = 2 PM
- Honors Member = 1 PM – 2 PM
Conclusion
I cannot remember when my late checkout request would have been denied by any hotel (usually 4 PM). However, I have received very late checkouts, especially in Asia when I have had evening/night flights.
The question comes when hotels try to merchandise their late checkouts when denying one without a cash payment for a Diamond member.
If one is available for cash, shouldn’t it be available based on availability too?
There is nothing on the program terms and conditions OR on communication from corporate to hotels beyond what we wrote about that is vague.
Understandably, some hotels may deny late checkout requests if NOT required when they are full, and many guests checkouts and ins on the same day. Housekeeping needs to turn a high number of rooms in a very short period.
What experiences have you had with Hilton’s late checkouts, both positive and negative?