My Phone is My Key: I'm going to PA for the weekend, and my cell phone will be my room key. I've already checked in using the Marriott app. Unfortunately, my Samsung from 2018 will not...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm going to PA for the weekend, and my cell phone will be my room key. I've already checked in using the Marriott app. Unfortunately, my Samsung from 2018 will not accept most new apps, so I had to use my Moto G6. I don't know how the phone will unlock the door, but I'll find out in a few hours. If they don't let me know what room I'll be in, I'll have to go from room to room, trying all the doors.

scubadoc Loc: Sarasota, FL

jerryc41 wrote:

I'm going to PA for the weekend, and my cell phone will be my room key. I've already checked in using the Marriott app. Unfortunately, my Samsung from 2018 will not accept most new apps, so I had to use my Moto G6. I don't know how the phone will unlock the door, but I'll find out in a few hours. If they don't let me know what room I'll be in, I'll have to go from room to room, trying all the doors.

I would start at the front desk, unless they’ve abolished it.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I'll guess that the Marriott app does the access thing.
It probably has to be running on the phone.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

jerryc41 wrote:

I'm going to PA for the weekend, and my cell phone will be my room key. I've already checked in using the Marriott app. Unfortunately, my Samsung from 2018 will not accept most new apps, so I had to use my Moto G6. I don't know how the phone will unlock the door, but I'll find out in a few hours. If they don't let me know what room I'll be in, I'll have to go from room to room, trying all the doors.

What part of PA Jerry?

Bayou

Just say no.

stogieboy Loc: Marlboro, NY

I used this feature in Anaheim back in April (on my iphone 13). Its pretty cool, but in essence, its no different than the contact cards most hotels use now. Instead of inserting your key card, you just hold it up to a panel on the door, and it unlocks. Your phone replaces the key card.

Pretty soon, we'll just need to think about unlocking doors and it will happen...

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

My daughter had a similar app on her phone. We couldn't get the elevator to work and had to go to the front desk. Defeats the whole purpose of the app. Sometimes new tech ain't the way.

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

We've been to a couple of hotels that use similar apps. It was a pain in the a** to take out the phone, enter the phone's unlock code, open the app, get to the app page that unlocked the door, and then use the app to open the door. We asked the front desk if they still used traditional key cards, and of course they did. We were happier with the key card, which only required taking out the card and then holding it against the lock.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

David Martin wrote:

We've been to a couple of hotels that use similar apps. It was a pain in the a** to take out the phone, enter the phone's unlock code, open the app, get to the app page that unlocked the door, and then use the app to open the door. We asked the front desk if they still used traditional key cards, and of course they did. We were happier with the key card, which only required taking out the card and then holding it against the lock.

Key card please.......

(Isn't technology wonderful?

)

scubadoc Loc: Sarasota, FL

When travelling to the same room with a spouse, friend, or family, it is much better to use key cards. I don’t think anyone else with the same app but with a different logon will be able to gain access to the room using the app.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

scubadoc wrote:

When travelling to the same room with a spouse, friend, or family, it is much better to use key cards. I don’t think anyone else with the same app but with a different logon will be able to gain access to the room using the app.

The app ALONE does not grant access........
Credentials are sent to YOUR phone which permits access via the app on YOUR phone.
(Just to make sure everyone understands.)

Yup, key cards are better for more than one person.
What if the spouse/kids don't have smart phones?
Or is it assumed that EVERY PERSON has a smart phone.

scubadoc Loc: Sarasota, FL

Longshadow wrote:

The app ALONE does not grant access........
Credentials are sent to YOUR phone which permits access via the app on YOUR phone.
(Just to make sure everyone understands.)

Yup, key cards are better for more than one person.
What if the spouse/kids don't have smart phones?
Or is it assumed that EVERY PERSON has a smart phone.

Even if everyone has a smartphone, room access only goes to the one who made the reservation, so I believe.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

scubadoc wrote:

Even if everyone has a smartphone, room access only goes to the one who made the reservation, so I believe.

Key cards......

traderjohn Loc: New York City

scubadoc wrote:

I would start at the front desk, unless they’ve abolished it.

Makes the most sense.

Canisdirus

Don't worry Jerry.

Marriot made sure it will work...any passing phone will unlock your door...sleep well. :P