The lead guest can share their active digital key with up to four other people or devices using the Hilton Honors app. (Courtesy photo of Hilton) By HTN Staff – 10/22/2021
Hilton has unveiled a number of technology innovations designed to enhance the guest experience across the company’s 18 hotel brands. A first for a major hospitality company, a new technology-enabled feature called Digital Key Share allows more than one guest to access their room’s digital key, turning the Hilton Honors app on their smartphones into a room key.
Since its inception in 2015, guest use of the Hilton digital key has expanded rapidly. The technology is now reportedly available in more than 80% of the Hilton portfolio or nearly 5,400 of the more than 6,600 Hilton hotels worldwide. According to the company, more than 135 million room doors have been opened and plastic waste has been reduced by 125 tons, which supports Hilton’s “Travel with Purpose” commitment to halve its ecological footprint by 2030.
In the coming months, Digital Key Share will be rolled out in all hotels around the world that currently offer digital key technology, according to a press release from the company.
The lead guest can share their active digital key with up to four other people or devices using the Hilton Honors app. In order for the secondary guest to have access to the digital key, they must receive an invitation from the primary guest, be logged into the Hilton Honors app and pass a security check that takes place immediately in the background. Guests who accept a share have access to the room and accommodation for the entire duration of their stay and cannot disclose the digital key for security reasons.
Hilton has also introduced another enhancement to a Hilton Honors perk: Members receive early confirmation of free room upgrades. Eligible Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members will be notified of their available room upgrade 72 hours prior to arrival, so the member can directly select their upgraded room upon check-in using the Hilton Honors app. Eligible members will receive an email and push notification through the Hilton Honors app notifying them of their free room upgrade. If the hotel offers digital check-in, the member can choose the location of their room with upgrade via the app after receipt 36 hours prior to arrival.
These two enhancements complement the recently introduced confirmed connecting rooms, another industry first that allows individuals to easily and instantly confirm at least two connecting rooms at the time of booking. This technology will be rolled out globally and will be available when booking on Hilton.com or the Hilton Honors app at participating hotels within any of the portfolio’s 18 brands.
“Our approach to technology always starts with the guest experience, and when the trip returns, we love to offer Hilton guests a seamless and flexible stay that allows them to focus on what matters most – creating new memories,” said Chris Silcock, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Hilton, in a press release.
