The Curious Case of Early Check-In Entitlement: Tales from the Front Desk
There’s a special kind of magic that happens at a hotel front desk. Sometimes, it’s the magic of creating a wonderful guest experience. Other times, it’s the magic of biting your tongue while a guest insists that the laws of space and time don’t apply to them. Today, we dive into the world of early check-in entitlement—a phenomenon that has hospitality professionals everywhere questioning if “the customer is always right” or just really loud.
It all started with a simple phrase overheard by a weary front desk agent: “In all my years I’ve never NOT gotten early check in.” If you can feel the collective eye roll of every hotel worker in the world, you’re not alone. But what happens when being nice stops being rewarding, and guests start treating exceptions as entitlements?
“Can I Get My Room Now?”: The Never-Ending Early Check-In Saga
Let’s set the scene: It’s a bustling Saturday at a hotel running over 90% full the night before. The front desk is bracing for the usual rush of check-outs, room turnovers, and, of course, guests angling for early check-in. Our narrator, u/Stay-Spare, recounts two encounters that would test the patience of a saint.
First, a guest on a deep-discount “Friends & Family” (F/F) rate—just $65 for the night after taxes—demands not just a complimentary upgrade but also an early check-in. When kindly offered an upgrade but told they’d need to wait, the guest doubles down: “Well, can’t you just expedite our room?” A masterclass in pushing one’s luck.
Next up, a couple in their sixties arrives just 15 minutes after check-out time, ready to check-in—despite their room not being ready. When told they’d have to wait, the woman proclaims, “In all my years I’ve never NOT gotten early check in.” She then laments the lack of a changing space for the movies, prompting a polite redirection to the public restrooms.
These stories may sound extreme, but if the comment section is any indication, they’re all too familiar. As u/Live-Okra-9868 quipped, “It’s really gotten to the point that when you do one nice thing they expect it every time.” Once the bar is raised, it seems, there’s no lowering it.
The Perils of Being Too Nice: When “Above and Beyond” Becomes “Bare Minimum”
Why has the simple act of granting an early check-in become a minefield? Several seasoned hospitality workers chimed in with wisdom earned on the battlefield.
u/MightyManorMan shared a strategy that’s as much about psychology as it is about logistics: “That’s why we charge for early check in, it lowers the expectation.” By attaching a cost, guests realize it’s a privilege, not a right. They even reward housekeeping with bonuses for prepping those rooms ahead of schedule—a win-win for staff and guests alike.
But it’s not just about fees. As u/Ashkendor sagely observed, “Above and beyond just becomes the new normal for entitled people.” The more management bends, the more some guests expect the world—and a suite upgrade—on a budget rate. u/Live-Okra-9868 recounted how one “super shiny” loyalty member, upgraded once due to overbooking, expected the same luxurious suite every time, regardless of availability or reason. The lesson? Generosity is often best reserved for those who genuinely appreciate it.
Entitlement: A Modern Epidemic (and a Comedy Goldmine)
The parade of entitlement doesn’t just wear out front desk workers; it provides endless comedic fodder for those in the know. u/RedDazzlr’s succinct summary—“People. What a bunch of bastards.”—drew knowing laughter and agreement, while u/Most-Artichoke6184 offered the perfect deadpan response for the guest who’s “never NOT gotten early check-in”: “Congratulations, today is special then.”
But there’s a serious side, too. As u/kismetxoxo7, a front office manager, explained, the entitlement is real, especially during busy seasons. “More of our guests need to exercise some grace and understanding when it comes to requests such as early check-ins and upgrades.” And as for those F/F rate guests? “They’re already getting the perk of an almost 50% off rate.” Requests for more—especially when delivered with sighs and impatience—are a bridge too far.
One commenter, u/Winterwynd, offered a cautionary tale: giving a guest a break once can turn them into a “boomer-Karen” who expects it everywhere. Their own mom, after one fateful early check-in, now launches a polite-but-persistent campaign at every hotel, culminating in a managerial intervention if denied. Sometimes, the best customer training is just saying “no”—nicely, of course.
How to Be a Five-Star Guest (According to the Pros)
Not all hope is lost. For every entitled guest, there’s a traveler who gets it. As u/Ok_Elephant2777 put it, “Hi, I know check-in isn’t until 3:00 and it’s not that time yet, but by any chance would our room be ready? Not yet? Okay, thanks for checking.” This simple interaction—polite, understanding, and low-pressure—makes front desk staff want to go the extra mile. Sometimes, that even means surprise perks, as another commenter admitted to slipping wine or chocolates to kind guests.
And, as u/kamakamawangbang pointed out, “Always be nice to the front desk people, they’re just doing their job and a smile never hurt anyone.” That’s the real key to hotel happiness: politeness, patience, and a dash of gratitude.
Conclusion: Check Your Expectations (and Your Check-In Time)
The battle over early check-in is a microcosm of the hospitality industry’s eternal struggle: balancing genuine service with setting healthy boundaries. As u/Bennington_Booyah lamented, “All that going above and beyond gets us is more demands each and every time we make an exception.” Maybe it’s time to let policy do the heavy lifting—and save the magic for those who appreciate it.
So next time you’re itching to drop your bags hours before check-in, channel your inner five-star guest. Smile, ask nicely, and remember: sometimes, the best perk is not getting what you want, but how you handle the wait.
Have you ever had an early check-in horror story—on either side of the desk? Share your tales (and your best comebacks) in the comments below!
Original Reddit Post: “In all my years I’ve never NOT gotten early check in”