If you click a link in this post and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Read our full disclosure here.
One special feature of staying at a Hilton hotel is the ability to do online check in before you arrive with the Hilton Honors app. Did you know you can also choose your own room location when you check-in with the app, too?
In this post I’ll walk you through how the online check in process works and what to expect when you use the app to select your room.
I often use my Hilton Points + Money hack to find the cheapest stays – learn how to stretch your Hilton points in this post!
How To Do Hilton Online Check In
At 6 am the day before you arrive for your stay you can begin the Hilton online check in process in the Hilton Honors app or online at the Hilton site.
You will need to login with your Hilton Honors account information to see your stay. I assume this only works with stays booked through Hilton (you can read all about how I used points to stay for free in this post).
You’ll enter your estimated arrival time when you check-in. Though check-in wasn’t until 4 pm, our room was ready closer to 1 pm which was fantastic!
We were allowed an early check in and got into our room as soon it was ready (at no charge).
How To Choose Your Own Room
Next you’ll be given a pre-assigned room, which you can choose to keep or change.
We wanted to be on a lower floor and close to the pool, so I opted to pick another room.
You’ll be able to see how many rooms are available on each floor and select a floor to see the room locations.
Since we wanted a room that overlooked the pool (instead of the parking lot), I consulted a Google Earth map of the hotel to determine which side faced the pool. That really helped me pick the room with the best view!
We loved our room location and I was glad I spent a few minutes doing Hilton online check in and selecting our room. I would NOT have liked to be on one of the top floors of this huge hotel!
I found that I was NOT able to change my room selection once I had committed to it in the app, so I would suggest doing all of your research ahead of time.
I hope this helps anyone wondering how to do Hilton online check in and choose your own room in the Hilton Honors app.
Since I am a frequent traveler to Disney World, I would love to see Disney get on board with this type of technology. How cool would it be to choose your room before your arrive?
Would you like the ability to select your room before your hotel stays? Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think!
14 Comments
When exactly did it charge your card for the room, and if I am 17, but my brother who is 23 paid for the room, but I got there before him, they wouldn’t ID me?
January 15, 2021 at 11:52 pmHi Mirna! I use Hilton Honors points for my stays so those get deducted from my account when I book. I’m not sure when your card would get charged. You can avoid having to visit the desk by checking in with the Hilton honors app. You can get notifications when your room is ready and go straight there. You can open the door with your phone. If your borhter bookd the room just have him share his login details with you so you can get into the room as soon as it is ready. I do this often and it works fine.
January 16, 2021 at 6:34 amHello! So do you have to show ID or anything or is it literally contactless check in?
January 6, 2021 at 11:28 pmNo ID – it is completely contactless.
January 13, 2021 at 6:51 amWill they let you know if your room Is ready earlier or do you have to call and ask?
January 18, 2020 at 12:18 pmThey asked for my cell number and sent me a text when my room was ready. But this might not be standard practice at all Hilton hotels so your mileage may vary.
January 19, 2020 at 6:30 amThank you Leah! That answered all my questions. I noticed the reason my cellphone wouldn’t load the hilton app and even some other apps is because the operating system is outdated.:( I ordered a new phone yesterday. So, I’ll be able to use the app and get digital key too! Thank you again!
October 26, 2019 at 8:48 amIs it possible to check-in on the internet directly and not the app? My cellphone won’t load the hilton app š
October 24, 2019 at 6:36 pmYes! Hilton says you can check-in through their website starting at 6 am the day before check-in: https://hiltonhonors3.hilton.com/en/mobile/digital-check-in-and-room-selection-faq.html
October 26, 2019 at 6:10 amThis exactly what I want to know. I canāt find an answer anywhere.
September 14, 2018 at 3:24 pmDid you have to pay when you selected a new room?
July 19, 2018 at 8:45 amNo I didn’t.
July 11, 2020 at 7:06 amI think it depends on the hotel. They’ve debited my credit card before a day before. One time as soon as I checked in on the app. And other times upon arrival day a hold is placed. It depends on what type of rate you have. If it’s points it’s immediately. If it’s prepaid it’s the day before. If it’s free cancellation it’s upon arrival date. Mobile app you go straight to your room. If you’re a elite member like diamond you still have to eventually stop by the front desk to get your freebies, like water or a snack or tickets to the complimentary breakfast, depending on what brand hotel you’re booking. This has been my experience.
January 16, 2021 at 9:36 amThis is very helpful Alice – thank you!
January 25, 2021 at 8:20 am