Let’s say you take a long-haul flight, arrive in a new city (let’s pick New York) early in the morning, are exhausted from jet lag, and all you want to do is head to your hotel and check in so that you can get some sleep. But the hotel’s normal check-in time is 2pm and you’re already exhausted.

In some cases, hotels will allow guests to hotels early check in. But this is not a guarantee, and you’ll often have to ask nicely for it. It’s also important to have a backup plan in case the hotel can’t offer you a room at an earlier time.

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Some hotels will offer early check in to loyalty members or guests who book through certain online booking sites. This is a great way to earn hotel points and enjoy perks such as upgrades, free breakfast, property credits, etc.

Early check-ins may seem like a nuisance to the hotel staff but they can be beneficial for both parties. For the hotel, it’s an opportunity to occupy rooms for more of the day, which will help them turn over their inventory faster. It’s also an effective way to upsell customers by offering them additional services.

If you do request an early check-in, be polite to the front desk staff and make sure that they know why you’re asking. The more they know about your situation, the more likely they will be to help you out. And don’t forget to thank them for trying their best!