Question of the Day - 18 April 2024

In 2022, I got hammered down from Sapphire to Ruby, which is the "You get nothing" level. Literally nothing--not even any points for playing. So since then--I get nothing, I play nothing. I'm sure they miss me. Jerkasses!

As for the early check-in fee--it's particularly egregious, since the room has to be already ready, meaning it was just made up or it wasn't occupied at all the previous night, and therefore the casino incurs no additional expense by letting you in there "early." I mean, consider the alternative--you sit and cool your heels for three hours while the room sits empty. You'd think that would be something both you AND the casino would want to avoid. Get 'em checked in, let 'em freshen up, and they'll be hitting the slots that much sooner. DUH!

Therefore, they should be happy to let you check in whenever a room is available at no additional cost. DUH! again, Boydbrains!

I disagree, the early check-in fee may be at some hotels, but it's not the "new normal everywhere."  We're relative low rollers, but have always been able to check in early with a comped room (if the room is available; it usually is) without an early check-in fee, at Four Queens, Plaza, Palace Station and South Point.

Just check your luggage at the hotel and tip the bellman $5.  Pick it up when you can check in for free.  Meanwhile, gamble and win or just grab a drink.  It's not that big of a problem to avoid.

I've encountered the same thing (early check in fee) with Boyd (Orleans) for a comped room, but not at Tuscany or Westgate, where, if they have a room (also comped) available, I've been able to check in  early (before 1pm) without paying any kind of fee. So not everyone does what Boyd is doing. 

I used to give Boyd a fair amount of play, but don't even bother to walk in the door since the "improvement" in their players club. It irritates me to no end to spend time and money on their machines and even had to call a slot attendant over to verify I was getting no points for playing.

Just happened 2 weeks ago at another Boyd property (Fremont) where I had a comped room and checked in early online and room was ready and they still wanted to charge $25 for the "privilege" of checking in early. I agree with the reasons Kevin gave and think this is one of the most insidious fees added. If the room is indeed "ready", I think I am doing them a favor coming at a slow time and will not need to come back....FYI I was told (front desk) this was a new policy started sometime this year even for a comped room.

correct answer: because they can, and people pay it. Doesn't bother me, I have seen it in other places and it makes sense to me, get extra service you pay.

I would handle this the same way I handled Boyd more than 5 years ago.  Find someplace else that actually appreciates you as a customer.

it is all about the money any more and boyd is one of the worst ones as everyone know by the post here.
if people are willing to pay it it will continue and there are other places that do not charge foe a early check in oh well that is life

 I was a loyal Sapphire/Emerald member since 2005 - then Boyd turned their club into the non player friendly farce it currently is. Everything negative posted here is currently 100% correct. I no longer patronize any of their properties - they have literally turned their once great, player friendly casino chain into Strip clones. The last straw is when they devalued their point redemption- without any notice- from 600 points = $1 dollar for food- to now being 1000 points = $1  for food. They screwed every card holder who had points left to use out of 40% of their point value. Currently - no room offers, no buffets, no points for play- now equals no play @ any of their casinos. 

For countless years, we played and stayed exclusively at Fremont in order to consolidate points.  We also brought other people  there as well.  Then - as everyone here is probably aware - one year Boyd suddenly decided to severely downgrade its players club, to the point where we would be getting NO points for play, and our high-roller friends would be getting very little. We made the simple switch across the street to Four Queens, where not only do you get a fair shake from the players club, but there is no resort fee and very little nonsense. Four Queens turned out to be an even better property for us (more in there that we use and like, including Hugo’s Cellar, Magnolia’s, Chicago Brewing Co cigar lounge, and even a Subway!), so I guess in the end Boyd did us a favor.   PS If Four Queens were to close, we would move to Plaza, which has so much going on these days.

If the policy is to let everyone check-in early for free, there would many more people doing so. This would create other issues especially on busy days. The front desk would have people checking out as well as checking in during the morning hours. Less rooms will be available because more people will take advantage of checking in early. People would be angry about not having rooms ready at Noon! The hotel then may put more pressure on an already overworked housekeeping staff leading to messier rooms and another reason for people to complain. 

The policy is a blessing in disguise.

While I don't like defending Boyd nor yet another fee, the policy may be a blessing in disguise.

I don’t play till I move into my room. I sit or stand  near the desk till I move in without any fines.

I bet if your room isn't ready at check in time, they Ain't giving you nuttin, but excuses!    

i wonder if any representative from boyd will answer any of these post bet noy

What's fair is fair. 

Boyd gets continuously hammered on here and with good reason.  The points devaluations and avoidance of participating in he LVA book earns them the criticism.
All that being said - I still find their room offers to be generous.  I get monthly free play, food credits and a free room.  I'm a low roller (quarter VP).  Maintaining Sapphire is not difficult with the carry-over tier credits.  It also allows for free parking at MSS for access to downtown.
I make the most of it, including 10x points on Tuesdays.

All hotels make their check-in time clear, after which you should expect to be able to get into your room.  If it isn't ready at that point, you can always expect, yes really, an apology and a promise to get you in as soon as possible.  
Kevin had it right, once the room is ready, there isn't any further cost to get you into it, and in fact you're taking the pressure off the front desk as check-in time approaches.  Anyone expecting to get in early is just being unreasonable, so screw-'em.  Any hotel charging for the early entry is just making a money grab, so screw them.  Indeed, vote with your feet, and when checking out or responding to the follow-up email you're bound to receive, it doesn't hurt to make it very clear why you won't be back.

Somewhat like how Boyd screwed players by devaluing points and also by increasing the total-play threshold at which you get out of the lowest tier (and up into the 2nd tier) to $750,000 of play, many years ago the Plaza was taken over by new management, and they promptly, with no notice to us, erased all cashback and comp dollars that were stored in our accounts. For me, that was a loss of over $200. I wonder whether that management still owns/runs the Plaza; I would check on it. I totally agree that Boyd doesn't deserve our patronage, and we should give it elsewhere.  I confirm the great attitude and set-up at the Four Queens, and also the El Cortez, which has relatively low qualifications to get up out of the bottom level and into the 2nd level. I'm sure I have arrived early at both places, and they were more than happy to check me in right away.