Why Late Checkout Is an Underrated Marriott Elite Status Perk

Late checkout can really make a difference whether you have a late flight or just want to squeeze in another day of sightseeing before heading home. However, late checkout availability can be unpredictable. At many hotels, the decision is left up to the front desk. Even for top-tier elite status members of certain hotel loyalty programs, late checkout can be subject to availability.

Marriott is one of a few hotel brands that offer late checkout for all elite members. Best of all, travelers can lock in a guaranteed 4 p.m. Marriott late checkout after spending as few as 20 hotel nights at Marriott hotels or $75,000 on certain Marriott credit cards.

Let's dig into how Marriott late checkout works and how to get one of the best hotel elite perks available.

When Marriott late checkout can really help

Each traveler's reason for caring about Marriott's late checkout can be different. Perhaps you'd like to use a late checkout to let your family enjoy the hotel pool before driving home. Or perhaps you want to take a shower after maximizing an extra day of sightseeing before taking an evening flight home.

For intercontinental travelers, late checkout can help them avoid spending more time at the airport and potentially help them adjust to a new timezone. For example, many flights to Asia from the U.S. West Coast depart late in the evening. Similarly, flights returning to the U.S. from southern South America are typically red-eye flights departing late in the evening.

In each case, late checkout can mean sleeping longer in a comfortable bed before taking a red-eye flight.

» Learn more: How to join Marriott Bonvoy (and why it’s worth it)

How Marriott late checkout works for Bonvoy elites

Marriott offers all of its Bonvoy elite members a chance at late checkout. However, you'll need to achieve at least Platinum Elite status before earning guaranteed late checkout at Marriott.

Silver Elite members are offered priority only when requesting late checkout. That means the decision is still up to the hotel front desk, but you at least have a better chance than if you didn't have status at all.

Gold Elite members get a 2 p.m. late checkout. While at least Marriott publishes this time — unlike the Silver Elite benefit — this perk is still based on availability.

Platinum Elite status is the real sweet spot. Once you reach this tier of elite status, you're guaranteed a 4 p.m. late checkout at Marriott hotels — with a couple of important exceptions. Resorts, convention hotels and Design Hotels don't have to honor Marriott's late checkout guarantee. At these properties, late checkout is subject to availability.

You can get Marriott Platinum Elite status by earning 50 Elite Night Credits. Spending 50 nights in hotels may seem out of reach for many travelers. However, you don't actually need to spend 50 nights in a Marriott hotel to earn Platinum Elite status. Travelers can use Marriott co-branded credit cards to shortcut their way to this goal — or earn Platinum Elite status from spending alone.

» Learn more: Marriott Elite member benefit guarantees explained

Ambassador Elite: The only way to get an even later checkout at Marriott hotels is to reach Ambassador Elite status. After earning 100 Elite Night Credits and spending $20,000 in qualifying spend in a calendar year, Bonvoy members earn Ambassador Elite status and the "Your24" perk. This benefit lets Ambassador Elite members choose a specific check-in time with checkout set for the same time on the day of departure. That means members can choose to check in at 6 p.m. and check out at 6 p.m. on their day of departure.

Brand exceptions to Marriott late checkout

Some Marriott brands don't participate in the Bonvoy program. That's a nice way of saying that they don't provide all of the perks of Bonvoy elite status.

Some of these exceptions are understandable, such as any "residences" properties. Since these aren't traditional hotel rooms, owners need to prepare the residence for the next guests. That means granting late checkout to elite members could limit the next guest's ability to check-in.

Other Marriott late checkout brand exceptions include:

• Marriott Vacation Club.

• Marriott Grand Residence Club.

• Vistana Network properties.

• Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties.

» Learn more: Is the Marriott Vacation Club worth it?

If you want to get Marriott late checkout

Bonvoy elite status is the key to getting late checkout at Marriott properties. Entry-level Silver Elite members get priority late checkout. Gold Elite travelers are eligible for 2 p.m. late checkout when available, and you can get Gold Elite status as a perk of several premium credit cards.

To guarantee late checkout at most Marriott hotels, you'll want to earn at least Platinum Elite status. This 50-night elite status level may seem out of reach at first, but travelers can shortcut their way to this status by using Marriott co-branded credit cards.