I knew that guaranteed check-in was 3:00 PM but I arrived earlier than expected (10:30 AM) and asked if any rooms were available. The front desk clerk said rather briskly that I wouldn't be able to check in until 3:00 PM. "Check-out isn't until noon, and then the rooms have to be cleaned." I said "I understand that but some guests check out early. If, as you say, Housekeeping personnel start at 900 AM, aren't they already cleaning rooms that have been vacated by guests who left early? Since I'm already here, couldn't I get into one of those rooms? She said - "You don't qualify for those rooms. You booked through an outside firm (Expedia). All of the people who booked directly with Hilton are ahead of you." I said - "But I'm Hilton Honors." She said that doesn't matter. You booked through Expedia." Without going thru the rest of the conversation, she made it clear that people who book through outside firms are "less than" her other guests. It wasn't just what she said. It was the way she said it.
I've only booked a few hotel stays thru Expedia, and have been satisfied...until now. I didn't realize that booking thru an outside firm put me in a different class of guest.
End of Story - I left the Hampton & checked into a nearby Best Western Plus...a beautiful hotel with professional, friendly front desk staff. And yes, I ate the double cost. It was worth it.