Marriott new mobile e-chat option lets you make pre-check-in requests

Want to e-chat with your hotel before you arrive? Marriott Hotels launched a new option on its mobile app Wednesday to help you do just that.

Marriott and other hotels already allow you to check in and check out using your mobile app. The new option on the Marriott Mobile App, available for iOS, Android and Windows phones, allows you to use a drop-down menu to make such requests as extra pillows or towels and e-chat in real time with the hotel under its “Anything Else?” option.

Maybe you want to order a car to get to or from the hotel or confirm details about your reservation? Just tap the app’s Mobile Request option on your smartphone or tablet and ask away.

The new app is being rolled out to 46 hotels (more than half are in the U.S.) and plans to expand to 500 Marriott Hotels worldwide starting this summer. (Currently the app applies to Marriott Hotels only, not other brands in the Marriott family.)

How is this better than just calling the hotel on the phone or stopping by the lobby? It just makes it easier, quicker and provides a record of what requests you’ve made.

The company found that of 10,000 requests made by guests during the testing phase, 80% chose the e-chat option.

Mobile Request is open to members of Marriott Rewards loyalty program, which anyone may join for free. Guests may begin connecting with hotels by way of the app up to 72 hours before their visit.

Info: Download the Marriott Mobile App