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Hotel Chain Plans Phone-Based Check-in and Room Access

Posted by Soulskill on from the but-i-love-digging-those-keycards-out-of-my-wallet dept.

GTRacer writes: Forbes reports that Hilton Worldwide, international hotel operator, is rolling out smartphone-based guest tools allowing self-service check-in, access to a virtual floorplan to select a room, and (in 2015) actual door access once checked in. The author states the drive for this technology is the growing influence of the swelling ranks of Millennials, who "[...] have a very strong inclination toward automated and self-service customer service." The security risks seem obvious, though.

4 of 120 comments (clear)

  1. Risky by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Ah crap, my phone just died... I'll charge it when I get back to the hotel roo-- shit."

  2. Hmmmm... blackhat conferences? by blueshift_1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    So, free hotel rooms for all at the next blackhat conference >:D

  3. But phone is a good thing too by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 5, Interesting

    They've had automated check in in Europe for some hotels for 25 years. The locked entrance has an ATM-like machine in the little foyer. Put in your credit card, pick a room type, and it printed a slip with codes for the front door and your room.

    And yes, they had a live person on site -- it ate my card and the call button got her out of bed at 3 am to get it. :)

    --
    (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
  4. Re:Fucking anti-social Millennials by jklovanc · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I am definitely not a Millennial and I would love this service. If I could get off the shuttle and go directly to my room I would be in heaven.

    anti-social behind the monitor type Millennials don't have to talk to actual people.

    Have you really ever been "social" with a desk clerk? When I am checking in I am usually tired and want to lie down. Being "social" is the last thing on my mind.

    she can't even make a fucking phone call if there's a chance company X has a "WebChat!"

    I love web chat. Here are a list of things I like about web chat
    - I can do several things while I web chat. I am not stuck waiting listening to hold music.
    - I can re-read what was said in case I missed something.
    - I can edit my message for clarity.
    - I can usually get a transcript for later reference.
    To me, text chat is just as social as voice.