Late checkout. It’s a simple concept, yet a game-changer for frequent travelers and potentially one of the most practical benefits at hotels.

Late checkout can transform your travel experience, offering a buffer of time that allows for a more relaxed departure, an extra business meeting, or even a few more hours of well-deserved sleep before checking out.

So how can you get the benefit? Here’s our complete guide to how to get late checked using elite status with hotel loyalty programs or booking programs to secure it for your next stay.

Benefits of Hotel Late Checkout

Late checkout is more than just a few extra hours in your room. It’s an opportunity to maximize your stay, whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure.

This benefit can be particularly valuable for those with late flights or who simply wish to enjoy a leisurely departure. For business travelers, it can provide additional time for work or meetings. For leisure travelers, it’s an opportunity to enjoy the hotel’s amenities for a little longer.

Imagine the convenience of not having to rush your morning meeting or the luxury of enjoying a leisurely breakfast before your departure. Late checkout offers this and more, providing a buffer of time that can transform your travel experience.

In essence, late checkout can be the key to a more comfortable, less rushed travel experience. It’s a small perk that can have a big impact, making your travels more enjoyable and less stressful.

How To Get Late Checkout With World of Hyatt

4 pm Late Checkout for Globalists (Guaranteed)

We start with World of Hyatt which leads the pack when it comes to guaranteeing late checkout for elite members.

The World of Hyatt program offers 4 pm late checkouts to its top-tier Globalist members. This means that as a Globalist member, you can enjoy your room until 4 pm on your day of departure, giving you plenty of time to wrap up your business, enjoy the hotel’s amenities, or simply relax before your journey home.

The benefit is guaranteed at all Hyatt properties except resorts, hotels with casinos, and Destination by Hyatt Residences where it is based on availability.

And note that it being “guaranteed” means that the onus is on hotels to figure out how to accommodate you when there’s limited availability, as Hyatt confirmed in response to my experience at the Story Hotel Signalfabriken.

Attaining Globalist status requires either 60 nights per year, earning 100,000 base points in a calendar year, or holding 20 qualifying meetings or events in a calendar year. In addition to late checkout, Globalists get a variety of useful perks while staying at Hyatt including club access, free breakfast, upgrades at check-in, suite upgrade awards, club access without using a club access award, and more.

Here’s the wording of the late checkout benefit for Globalists from the World of Hyatt terms:

(e) 4:00 PM Late Checkout: Upon request, Globalists will receive a 4:00 PM late checkout (local hotel time) on day of their departure at Hyatt hotels, provided that (a) late checkout is subject to availability at hotels with a casino, Hyatt resorts, and Destination by Hyatt Residences locations; and (b) late checkout is not offered at Vacation Ownership Properties.  (PLEASE NOTE: The distinction between a Hyatt resort and a Hyatt hotel may not always be obvious and Members are encouraged to call a Hyatt Global Care Center for help determining a hotel’s or resort’s designation. Please visit hyatt.com for contact information.)

Note that while Hyatt states in its terms that members should contact Hyatt to determine whether a hotel is a resort or not, I generally reference this list of resorts on Hyatt’s website. Of course, it’s possible that it’s not entirely up to date so if late checkout will make or break your stay, it’s probably worth contacting Hyatt as suggested.

2 pm Late Checkout for Explorists and Discoverists (Guaranteed)

If you can’t reach Globalist status, World of Hyatt also gives late check out to Explorist elites and Discoverist elites but the benefit isn’t quite as generous.

While Globalists get a 4 pm late checkout, Explorists and Discoverists only have a 2 pm late checkout at Hyatt hotels. Like the benefit for Globalists, 2 pm is guaranteed for Explorist and Discoverist members at all hotels except resorts, hotels with casinos, and Destination by Hyatt Residences where it is based on availability.

Earning Discoverist status requires either 10 nights per year, earning 25,000 base points in a calendar year, or holding 3 qualifying meetings or events in a calendar year. Discoverist status is automatically included as a benefit of the World of Hyatt Credit Card, providing a shortcut to status along with other worthwhile benefits.

Meanwhile, earning Explorist status requires 30 nights per year, earning 50,000 base points in a calendar year, or holding 10 qualifying meetings or events in a calendar year.

Here’s the full wording of the late checkout benefit for Explorist and Discoverist from the World of Hyatt terms:

(f) 2:00 PM Late Checkout: Upon request, Discoverists will receive a 2:00 PM late checkout (local hotel time) on day of their departure at Hyatt hotels, provided that (a) late checkout is subject to availability at hotels with a casino, Hyatt resorts, and Destination by Hyatt Residences locations; and (b) late checkout is not offered at Vacation Ownership Properties. (PLEASE NOTE: The distinction between a Hyatt resort and a Hyatt hotel may not always be obvious and Members are encouraged to call a Hyatt Global Care Center for help determining a hotel’s or resort’s designation. Please visit hyatt.com for contact information.)

How To Get Late Checkout With Marriott Bonvoy

4 pm Late Checkout for Ambassador, Titanium, and Platinum Elites (Guaranteed)

Marriott offers a similar benefit to the one offered to Hyatt Globalists to its top-tier Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador elites.

The benefit guarantees a 4 pm guaranteed late checkout to Marriott Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador elites.

The benefit is guaranteed across all Marriott Bonvoy non-resort properties. At resorts, qualifying elites can still receive a 4 pm late check-out but it’s subject to availability not guaranteed.

Getting Marriott Platinum status requires 50 elite qualifying nights a year at Marriott properties. The status can also be earned automatically by holding a Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.

The next status up is Titanium status which requires 75 elite qualifying nights. Ambassador status is the highest rung on the ladder at Marriott requiring a whopping 100 elite qualifying nights and a minimum of $23,000 in qualifying spend a year.

To maximize this benefit, let the hotel staff know you plan to utilize your late checkout when you check in or as soon as you can. At resorts, this can help put you at the top of the list should there be availability. Meanwhile, at non-resort properties, late checkout is guaranteed until 4 pm but hotels may be able to grant you an even later checkout depending on availability.

Here’s the full wording of the late checkout benefit for Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador elites from the Marriott Bonvoy terms:

v. 4 p.m. Late Checkout. Platinum Elite Members and above may check out as late as 4 p.m. local time of the Participating Property. Members can request late checkout when making a reservation through central reservations, at check-in, via the mobile app (where available) or at any time during their stay. This benefit is guaranteed at all Participating Properties, except at resort and convention hotels and Design Hotels, where it is based upon availability. Marriott Vacation Club, Marriott Grand Residence Club, Sheraton Vacation Club, Westin Vacation Club, The Phoenician Residences, a Luxury Collection Residence Club, Scottsdale, and Ritz-Carlton Reserve are excluded from this benefit.

2 pm Late Checkout for Gold Elites (Based on Availability)

Gold elites have a 2 pm late checkout benefit, but it’s based on availability so can be hard to get at busier properties.

Marriott Gold status can be earned with 25 elite qualifying nights a year. It’s also included as an ongoing benefit on three of Marriott’s cobranded credit cards.

• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

It’s also a perk (with enrollment) of the Platinum Card® from American Express and the Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

Here’s the full wording of the late checkout benefit for Silver elites from the Marriott Bonvoy terms:

iii. 2 p.m. Late Checkout. This benefit is based on availability. Member should call the front desk the morning of checkout and request a late checkout up until 2 p.m. This benefit is available at all Participating Brands except at Marriott Vacation Club, Marriott Grand Residence Club, Sheraton Vacation Club, Westin Vacation Club, The Phoenician Residences, a Luxury Collection Residence Club, Scottsdale, and Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

Late Checkout for Silver Elites (Based on Availability)

Marriott even offers a late checkout benefit for its lowest-level elite members. However, the benefit for Marriott Silver members is extremely limited. Marriott simply specifies that late checkout is available based on availability. The time is not specified.

Marriott Silver status requires 10 elite qualifying nights a year at Marriott properties. It’s also included as an ongoing perk of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.

Here’s the full wording of the late checkout benefit for Silver elites from the Marriott Bonvoy terms:

ii. Priority Late Checkout. Based on availability. Please call the front desk the morning of checkout and let them know your planned departure time. Available at all Participating Brands except Marriott Vacation Club, Marriott Grand Residence Club, Sheraton Vacation Club, Westin Vacation Club, The Phoenician Residences, a Luxury Collection Residence Club, Scottsdale, and Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

How To Get Late Checkout With Hilton Honors

3 pm Late Checkout for Hilton Diamond Elites (Based on Availability)

Hilton Honors offers 3 pm late checkout as a benefit to its top-tier Diamond members.

Unlike Hyatt and Marriott’s benefit for top-tier elites, Hilton’s late checkout is not guaranteed and is subject to availability. This means that while Diamond members can request a late checkout for up to 3 pm on the day of departure, it is not always granted.

That said, at most properties, this is a perk that gets granted without any fuss for Diamond members but it leaves a lot of discretion up to individual properties. Because this benefit is based on availability, it’s a good idea to request it as early as possible to increase your chances of securing a late checkout.

You can earn Diamond status with either 30 stays, 60 nights, or earning 120,000 Hilton Honors Base Points in a calendar year. It’s also an ongoing benefit of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire® Card.

In addition to late checkout, Diamond members enjoy a variety of perks including the Hilton Honors MyWay benefit that can include a complimentary breakfast or a food and beverage credit, room upgrades, and bonus points.

Here’s the wording of the late checkout benefit for Diamond members from the Hilton Honors terms:

Late check-out must be requested and is subject to availability.

2 pm Late Checkout for Gold Elites (Based on Availability)

Even if you can’t hit Diamond status, Hilton Honors also offers late checkout to its Gold members.

For Gold members, you can request late checkout up to 2 pm on the day of departure. While this isn’t as late as the 3 pm checkout offered to Diamond members, it still provides extra time to enjoy your stay.

Like the benefit for Diamond members, the late checkout for Gold members is based on availability and is not guaranteed.

Earning Gold status requires either 20 stays, 40 nights, or earning 75,000 Hilton Honors Base Points in a calendar year.

Gold status is also included as a benefit of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, providing a shortcut to status along with other worthwhile benefits. It’s also a perk (with enrollment) of the Platinum Card® from American Express and the Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

Late Checkout for Silver Elites (Based on Availability)

Hilton Honors also offers a late checkout benefit to its Silver members. Like the benefits for Gold and Diamond members, the late checkout for Silver members is based on availability and is not guaranteed.

As a Silver member, you can request a late checkout, but the time is not specified. This means that the actual checkout time will depend on the hotel’s availability and discretion.

Earning Silver status requires either 10 stays, 20 nights, or earning 37,500 Hilton Honors Base Points in a calendar year. It’s also included as an ongoing perk of the Hilton Honors American Express Card.

How To Get Late Checkout With IHG One Rewards

2 pm Late Checkout for Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Elites (Based on Availability)

IHG’s One Rewards program offers 2 pm late checkout as a benefit to elite members.

Interestingly, IHG One Reward’s benefit is the same for all elites, silver and above. There is no incremental benefit for higher-level elites beyond the benefit offered to the entry-level silver elites and above.

Like Hilton’s benefit, IHG’s late checkout is not guaranteed and is subject to availability. This means that while elite members can request a late checkout, it is not always granted. Higher-level elites like IHG One Rewards Diamond members are likely to be prioritized over an IHG Silver member.

Earning Silver status at IHG only requires 10 qualifying nights in a calendar year. It’s also included as an ongoing perk by simply holding the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card. Gold Elite status requires 20 qualifying nights or earning 40,000 qualifying points in a calendar year.

Platinum elite status requires 40 nights or earning 60,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. It’s also included as an ongoing benefit by holding the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card.

Attaining Diamond elite status requires 70 nights or earning 120,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. In addition to late checkout, IHG’s Diamond elites enjoy a variety of perks including complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, priority check-in, and bonus points.

Here’s the wording of the late checkout benefit from IHG One Rewards terms:

Late Check-Out: Late Check-Out is up to 2pm, upon Member request and subject to hotel availability for all IHG One Rewards Members. Available at all IHG brands.

4 pm Late Checkout for InterContinental Ambassadors (Guaranteed)

While IHG One Rewards is stingy with late checkout for elite members, InterContinental Ambassadors get a more generous late checkout of 4 pm and it’s guaranteed.

Ambassador is a recognition program that guests can purchase for use specifically at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts. The cost of the membership is $200 or 40,000 IHG One Rewards points.

The benefit is only valid at InterContinental properties. At participating Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spa properties, Ambassadors get a 4 pm late checkout but it’s based on availability. The Ambassador late checkout benefit is not valid at other IHG brands.

In cases where properties are unable to honor the late checkout guarantee, IHG specifies that compensation of a restaurant and bar or spa credit of $50 or 10,000 IHG One Rewards points be provided to the member (once per stay) in the InterContinental Ambassadors program terms.

Using Premium Booking Platforms to Secure Late Checkout

Even if your loyalty program status doesn’t guarantee late checkout, there are strategies you can use to secure this benefit. One approach is to book through a premium booking platform, such as Marriott STARS, American Express’s Fine Hotels and Resorts, or the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection.

These premium booking platforms often include late checkout as a perk, making them a great option for travelers seeking this benefit. By booking through these platforms, you can enjoy late checkout even if your hotel loyalty program doesn’t offer this perk.

Understanding Late Checkout Privileges

Late checkout privileges vary from one hotel loyalty program to another. Some offer late checkout as a guaranteed benefit, while others offer it based on availability. Understanding these differences can help you choose the loyalty program that best fits your travel needs and preferences.

It’s also worth noting that even if you don’t hold hotel status, you may still be able to get a later checkout by simply asking the hotel staff politely for a late checkout. You may be surprised at how often this straightforward approach is successful. After all, hotels are in the business of hospitality, and many are willing to go the extra mile to ensure their guests have a pleasant stay.

But, if you frequently travel for business and often need a late checkout, you may want to consider a hotel loyalty program that offers this perk as a guaranteed benefit.

To make the most of your late checkout benefits, consider your travel itinerary and personal needs. If you have a late flight, for example, a late checkout can allow you to stay in your room until it’s time to leave for the airport. If you’re attending a conference or meeting, it can provide extra time to prepare or follow up on important tasks.

By understanding the late checkout privileges of various hotel loyalty programs, you can make an informed decision and choose the program that best meets your travel needs.

Bottom Line

Late checkout at hotels is a simple yet important benefit for frequent travelers. Different hotel loyalty programs offer varying late checkout privileges. For instance, the World of Hyatt program offers 4 pm late checkouts to its top-tier Globalist members, while Marriott Bonvoy offers a similar benefit to its top-tier Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador elites. Hilton Honors offers 3 pm late checkout to its top-tier Diamond members, but it’s based on availability. IHG’s One Rewards program offers a 2 pm late checkout as a benefit to elite members, and InterContinental Ambassadors get a more generous late checkout of 4 pm but only at InterContinental and Six Senses.

Late checkout is a valuable benefit that can significantly enhance your travel experience. By understanding the late checkout policies of various hotel loyalty programs and using strategies to secure this perk, you can enjoy more relaxed, productive, and enjoyable travels.