Paperwork? Payment issues? Poor translations? That’s the last thing travelers want after a long day of travel. They expect speed, flexibility and minimal friction — and contactless check-in meets those expectations. With HotelTechReport finding that almost half of guests prefer to check in using their smartphone, it’s a welcomed development for many of today’s travelers.
And behind the scenes, hotel teams get benefits, too: Digitizing check-in reduces the front-desk workload so every stay starts on the right foot. In this guide, we’ll see how Canary’s Mobile Check-In works, explore the guest journey and break down key features hotels need to manage the entire process.
Key highlights:
Contactless check-in is a digital process that allows guests to complete check-in online via a mobile link sent in an email, SMS or QR code. Guests can check in before or during arrival, without needing to stop by the front desk.
Hotels are adopting this technology to meet rising guest expectations. According to Skift and Oracle Hospitality, 73% of guests are more likely to stay at a hotel that offers self-service technology. It’s no surprise that leading brands are shifting to mobile-first arrivals to modernize operations and create better first impressions.
When considering contactless check-in, there are two main options:
Mangia’s, an Italian hotel group with 16 exclusive properties across Sicily and Sardinia, saved 10 minutes per check-in using Canary’s Mobile Check-In technology:
“Guests were waiting too long, and it was time for something smoother,” said Daniele. Project Delivery Manager Emanuela Marasà, adding that staff have appreciated the streamlined workflow. “The annoying part is gone — it’s faster and easier for the front office, and guests appreciate that efficiency.”
So, how does Mobile Check-In Work? Meet Julia, a working mom with two kids. She’s booked a weekend getaway at a boutique hotel that offers Canary’s Mobile Check-In. Between coordinating naps, juggling snacks and navigating unfamiliar roads, Julia doesn’t have time to wait in line at the front desk. With just a few taps on her phone, she checks in, heads to her room and starts her stay. Here’s how.
Before her stay, Julia receives a personalized check-in link via text message and email. She doesn’t need to download an app or log in. The mobile-optimized check-in page opens instantly on her smartphone, displaying her name, confirmation number, check-in and checkout dates.
Because the link is sent automatically by the hotel, Julia doesn’t need to call ahead or ask for help. She’s able to complete the process in her own time.
Next, Julia is prompted to upload a photo of her government-issued ID using her phone’s camera. The system guides her through the process and presents add-ons such as early check-in or continental breakfast. Once complete, she adds her credit card details for incidentals and signs a digital registration form.
Canary’s system validates the information and syncs it with the hotel’s PMS, so there’s no need for reentry or manual review. Julia completes the process and has peace of mind knowing that everything is in order when she arrives.
Once Julia’s information is submitted, the front desk receives a notification. A staff member quickly reviews her check-in, verifies her ID and marks her as ready for check-in. Julia then receives an automated message with property information such as Wi-Fi details, pool hours and more.
For hotels using Canary Mobile Key, this step also includes a secure link to download her room key to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Now Julia can skip the front desk entirely and head straight to her room when she arrives.
When Julia arrives at the hotel, there’s no need to wait in line with tired kids in tow. She already has her Mobile Key, her room assignment, knows where to park, and walks directly to her room using her phone as a key. If she has questions, Canary’s Guest Messaging gives her a direct line to the front desk via text.
This seamless experience sets a positive tone for the entire stay. Julia can focus on enjoying time with her family instead of digging for documents or waiting behind other guests.
When the weekend winds down, Julia receives an automated message with a link to checkout. With one tap, she reviews her folio and confirms her departure time (or opts to add on late checkout for a fee). She can leave internal feedback, and is encouraged to leave a five-star review on Tripadvisor or Google. When she’s ready to go, she checks out without having to visit the front desk or return a keycard.
Because everything is digital, the hotel has instant confirmation of her departure and can prep the room faster for the next guest. Meanwhile, Julia heads out with her kids feeling relaxed and more likely to return.
The guest experience is seamless on the front end, and hotel staff get powerful tools to manage check-ins with speed, security and flexibility behind the scenes. From real-time visibility to fraud protection and hands-on control, teams stay fully in charge of each arrival.
Canary’s dashboard gives hotel staff real-time visibility into every guest submission through a single, streamlined interface.
They can quickly search, review and approve check-ins to maintain flow without losing oversight. This centralized visibility makes it easy to anticipate arrivals, prepare for VIPs and reduce day-of surprises. Features include:
With built-in ID verification, hotels can automatically check guest documents for authenticity using advanced image analysis and fraud detection. This eliminates the need for manual ID reviews and helps prevent bad actors from accessing the property.
If a guest’s ID is flagged, staff are alerted before the check-in is approved. This creates a powerful balance between convenience and safety. Key capabilities include:
Even with a digital system, guest experience management is key. Every check-in is reviewed and approved (or denied) by a team member before the room is assigned or a mobile key is issued.
This means that even as hotels modernize the experience, they maintain personalized service and respond to issues in real time. Teams can:
If there are exceptions, it’s possible for hotels to manage them without disrupting workflow. Staff can pause check-ins, request more info or reassign rooms from the dashboard.
This flexibility is especially helpful during busy periods or when handling edge cases that require more attention. With Canary, hotel teams can:
Switching to a hotel contactless check-in process shouldn’t come at the cost of security. Canary’s Mobile Check-In has security features designed to work in the background. Here’s a closer look at the core security safeguards Canary provides.
Canary’s platform is fully compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), ensuring all guest payment information is handled securely. During check-in, credit card details are captured through PCI-compliant forms.
This keeps you compliant without maintaining your own complex infrastructure. Key safeguards include:
With built-in tools for hotel fraud prevention, hotels can recognize suspicious activity before a guest arrives.
If an ID appears manipulated, expired or inconsistent with the guest profile, automated checks reduce risk without slowing down the check-in process. Features include:
One of the most impactful benefits of contactless check-in is its ability to reduce hotel chargebacks. When a guest completes check-in, the platform captures their signature, ID and payment details, which are stored securely and timestamped for documentation.
This creates a strong, defensible paper trail if a dispute arises. Canary’s approach includes:
Adding technology to improve guest experiences increases security, too. When bad actors attempt to manipulate systems, audit trails save the day. They offer a timestamped record of every change in a hotel's system, so it’s clear who has accessed the data and when. This digital fingerprint gives hotel operators the tools they need to quickly investigate discrepancies and refute fraudulent claims.
From automated workflows to built-in security, Canary delivers the most complete and guest-friendly check-in solution on the market. As the top Guest Experience Platform, Canary is trusted by more than 20,000 hotels in 100+ countries to manage the guest experience.
Here’s why hotels choose Canary’s Contactless Check-In:
Book a demo today and see how contactless check-in from Canary enhances guest experience at your hotel.
Yes. Canary’s Contactless Check-In is trusted by over 20,000 hotels across 100+ countries, including major brands like Marriott International, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and IHG. It’s the #1-rated solution on HotelTechReport.
In addition to wide adoption and industry recognition, Canary is fully PCI-compliant, ensuring secure payment and data handling at every step. It’s a proven, enterprise-ready platform trusted by properties of all sizes, from boutique hotels to global chains.
Yes. Canary’s solution is built with layered security to protect both guests and hotel operations. It includes fraud detection, real-time ID verification, PCI DSS compliance and end-to-end encryption for all sensitive data.
Guests upload IDs and payment details through secure forms, and staff maintain final control. Canary’s approach strikes the right balance between convenience and control.
Leading brands rely on Canary to modernize the check-in experience. This includes Wyndham, BWH Hotels, TUI and many more.
Both luxury and midscale properties use Canary to streamline arrivals, boost guest satisfaction and reduce front desk workload. Whether you're running a boutique hotel or part of a major brand, Canary scales to fit your operation.
Yes. Many hotels that use Canary’s Mobile Check-In also enable Smart Checkout, allowing guests to review charges and check out from their phones.
This eliminates lines at the front desk, speeds up room turnover and improves operations for staff.
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