Marriott International announced on Monday that it will become the first global hospitality company to offer Apple Pay. The phased introduction this summer will start with 11 hotels in the U.S. under multiple Marriott brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, Edition and Marriott Hotels.
Guests using Apple Pay at check-in will bring their iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus or soon, Apple Watch, near the contactless reader at the front desk. When their device responds with a subtle vibration and beep, the payment information has been securely captured. There will be no need to provide a credit card upon check-in.
Marriott will also launch an app for the Apple Watch, upon availability. With the Apple Watch app, Marriott Rewards members will be able to use it to check-in in advance, receive prior notification when their room is ready, and checkout at nearly 4,000 hotels globally.
Marriott Rewards members who also carry the loyalty program’s co-branded credit card can load it into Apple Pay and designate it as their primary card, earning Marriott Rewards points every time they use Apple Pay at thousands of retailers.