The project dashboard is a free tool that is only available to verified hoteliers to make adopting new technology easier by streamlining their research and simplifying their communication workflow.
TLDR
We analyzed 44 verified hotelier reviews, compared feature sets, pricing, and real-world case studies to break down where each platform delivers. The right choice depends on your property type and priorities:
ChargeAutomation shines in ease of use and customer support , with exclusive features like GlobalPayments (Credit Card Processing) and Lobby Kiosk.
Chico shines .
Side-by-side ratings based on 44 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | From $200/mo | Contact sales |
| Verified Reviews | 44 | 0 |
After analyzing 44 verified reviews, ChargeAutomation users most value its payment processing, contactless check-in, customer support, while Chico users highlight . Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Chico |
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Payment Processing
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Contactless Check-in
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Customer Support
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Upselling Features
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Customization Limitations
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PMS Integration
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Customer Reviews
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How each product ranks among Contactless Check-in vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
| Segment |
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Chico |
|---|---|---|
| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #6 13 reviews | — |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #5 16 reviews | — |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #6 5 reviews | — |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | #13 1 reviews | — |
By Property Type
| Segment |
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Chico |
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| Boutique ▾ | #6 9 reviews | — |
| Luxury ▾ | #10 6 reviews | — |
| Branded / Chain | #9 4 reviews | — |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #3 18 reviews | — |
By Region
| Segment |
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Chico |
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| North America ▾ | #4 19 reviews | — |
| Europe ▾ | #6 20 reviews | — |
| Asia Pacific | #5 2 reviews | — |
Choosing the right contactless check-in solution can dramatically impact your hotel's operational efficiency and guest experience. ChargeAutomation Online Check-in by ChargeAutomation offers an extensive suite of automation features with a strong review base, while Chico's platform appears less developed with minimal recent feedback and no verified reviews. Your decision hinges on whether you prioritize proven functionality and support or are considering a less-established option.
ChargeAutomation is a comprehensive, feature-rich platform with a proven track record, whereas Chico's offering lacks detailed review data and verified integrations. Do you want a solution that is already trusted by many hotels, or are you exploring a newer, less-tested option?
ChargeAutomation’s extensive feature set and high user ratings make it the clear choice for hotels seeking a reliable contactless check-in system. It excels in automating ID verification, payments, and upselling, which are critical for streamlining operations and boosting revenue.
Chico, on the other hand, has no available reviews, features, or recent customer feedback, making it difficult to assess its suitability. Its lack of proven functionality and limited market presence suggest it’s less equipped to handle the complexities of hotel check-in processes.
In terms of trustworthiness and proven capability, ChargeAutomation dominates. Would your team benefit more from a platform with established track records or from exploring an untested solution?
For hotels that prioritize automation, security, and seamless integrations, ChargeAutomation is the better fit. Its 42 reviews in the last six months, with 98% likelihood to recommend, demonstrate strong recent validation from users across vacation rentals, extended stays, and boutique hotels.
If your hotel needs a robust, tested contactless check-in system with support and multiple integrations, go with ChargeAutomation. Its ability to handle ID verification, pre-arrival upselling, and secure payments makes it ideal for properties aiming to reduce manual workload and enhance guest satisfaction.
Chico might appeal to hotels that are just beginning to explore contactless solutions, but without verified reviews or functional data, it’s a risky choice. If you seek a proven solution with measurable results, ChargeAutomation should be your pick.
ChargeAutomation boasts an ease of use rating of 4.71/5, with reviews praising its user-friendly interface, straightforward setup, and supportive onboarding process. Users mention quick customer support and a platform that feels intuitive, even for smaller teams managing multiple properties.
Chico’s platform offers no available ratings or detailed usability feedback, making it impossible to gauge how accessible or user-friendly it is. The lack of recent reviews suggests a limited user base and uncertain user experience.
Edge: ChargeAutomation.
ChargeAutomation offers over 30 features, including PCI compliance, multi-processor gateway, multiple credit card processors, PMS integration, self-service check-in/out, ID verification, digital guidebooks, customizable questions, and upselling tools. These features cover all essential aspects of modern contactless check-in and revenue enhancement.
Chico provides no publicly listed features or unique functionalities, and there’s no verified data indicating its capabilities. Without concrete features or recent reviews, Chico’s platform appears underdeveloped.
Edge: ChargeAutomation.
ChargeAutomation scores a 4.9/5 for customer support, with reviews highlighting its quick, friendly, and effective response times. Users appreciate the knowledgeable support team, especially when making small adjustments or solving issues.
Chico’s support support data is unavailable, and no reviews mention its customer service. The absence of recent feedback leaves its support quality uncertain.
Edge: ChargeAutomation.
ChargeAutomation integrates with 18 verified partners, including major PMS providers and payment gateways like Stripe, Chase, and Heartland. These integrations facilitate smooth operations and reduce manual data entry.
Chico has no verified integrations listed, limiting its compatibility with existing hotel systems. Without integrations, it’s less adaptable to your current tech stack.
Edge: ChargeAutomation.
ChargeAutomation’s recent reviews indicate a high satisfaction rate, with a 98% likelihood to recommend and positive feedback on ease of use, support, and features. Its review count (42 in the last 6 months) underscores active user engagement across diverse property types.
Chico has no available reviews, making it impossible to determine user satisfaction or hotel segment preferences.
Edge: ChargeAutomation.
ChargeAutomation’s pricing starts at $200 per month with no implementation fees or trial options, making it transparent and predictable. Chico’s pricing information is unavailable, which complicates cost comparisons and budgeting.
Given the clear pricing structure for ChargeAutomation, it offers better transparency and value.
Not ideal if you prefer a free, simple, or less-integrated system, or if your property is very small and requires minimal automation.
Not ideal if your hotel needs reliable integrations, extensive features, or proven support, as no verified data supports Chico’s performance.
ChargeAutomation stands out as the trusted, well-reviewed platform for contactless check-in and upselling, with extensive features tailored to various hotel segments. Its strong market presence, recent positive reviews, and verified integrations make it a safe choice for most hoteliers.
Chico, lacking reviews and verified features, remains an uncertain option with no clear advantages. Unless you are specifically experimenting with untested solutions, ChargeAutomation should be your preferred choice for reliable, feature-rich contactless check-in.
In summary, if your hotel values proven performance, support, and comprehensive automation, ChargeAutomation is the clear leader. Only consider Chico if you are willing to accept significant unknowns and are in the early exploratory phase of contactless check-in technology.
Contactless Check-in pricing is rarely straightforward. Here is what we know from each vendor's public pricing data. Always request a custom quote for your property size.
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Chico | |
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| Starting Price | From $200/mo | — |
According to HTR's product database, ChargeAutomation Online Check-in and Chicostay share 0 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
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Chico |
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| Chase (Credit Card Processing) | ||
| First Data (Credit Card Processing) | ||
| Heartland (Credit Card Processing) | ||
| Multi-Processor Gateway | ||
| PCI Compliance | ||
| Vantiv (Credit Card Processing) |
Showing top differences. 18 more features differ between these products.
What hoteliers love
The software's automated payment processing feature is praised for handling payments, security deposits, and chargebacks. Users appreciate how it mini... The software's automated payment processing feature is praised for handling payments, security deposits, and chargebacks. Users appreciate how it minimizes fraud and error, saving time and reducing labor costs. Payment automation facilitates smoother operations and enhances financial security for both hotels and guests.
ChargeAutomation simplifies the check-in process with its robust contactless solution. Reviews frequently highlight how the system allows guests to co... ChargeAutomation simplifies the check-in process with its robust contactless solution. Reviews frequently highlight how the system allows guests to complete check-in remotely, reducing front desk traffic and wait times. This feature is especially beneficial in minimizing manual work, improving operational efficiency, and creating a better guest experience.
While support is generally praised for being responsive and helpful, a few reviews noted the need for improvements in response time and additional sup... While support is generally praised for being responsive and helpful, a few reviews noted the need for improvements in response time and additional support personnel. Good support is crucial for resolving issues quickly, thereby affecting the overall experience.
Where hoteliers push back
A critical point raised by some users is the need for more customization options. Reviews mention limitations in the ability to customize the guest po... A critical point raised by some users is the need for more customization options. Reviews mention limitations in the ability to customize the guest portal, email formats, and other interfaces. This lack of flexibility can impact how well the software meets specific needs of different properties.
Although several reviews highlight how ChargeAutomation seamlessly integrates with Property Management Systems (PMS), there are also some criticisms a... Although several reviews highlight how ChargeAutomation seamlessly integrates with Property Management Systems (PMS), there are also some criticisms about its PMS connectivity. Users report issues like synchrony problems and the need for more flexible information transfer capabilities.
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. ChargeAutomation Online Check-in and Chicostay share many core Contactless Check-in features, but each has unique capabilities. ChargeAutomation Online Check-in offers 18 verified integration partners, while Chicostay offers 0. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. ChargeAutomation Online Check-in leads in ease of use at 4.7/5 vs 0.0/5. Look for transparent pricing and a trial or demo option. Filter reviews on each product page by property size to hear from hotels like yours.
ChargeAutomation Online Check-in: No. Chicostay: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Contactless Check-in vendors offer demos or trials — request one from each to evaluate before committing.
The HT Score is a composite ranking that considers 4 criteria groups and over a dozen variables to help hoteliers objectively compare hotel technology products. ChargeAutomation has an HT Score of 24 and Chico has 0. Here is how the score is calculated.
| Criteria Group | Weight | What It Measures |
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| Customer Ratings & Reviews |
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How highly do users recommend this product? Ratings Score, Review Volume, Share of Voice, Review Depth, Review Recency, Success Stories ▾ The most heavily weighted factor. Analyzes average satisfaction ratings (likelihood to recommend, ease of use, support, ROI), total review count relative to category peers, review recency (at least 20 reviews in the trailing 6 months), and share of voice across unique hotel clients to detect selection bias. |
| Partner Ecosystem |
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How highly do tech partners recommend this company? Partner Recommendations, Integration Quantity, Integration Quality ▾ Evaluates partner recommendations as expert votes of confidence, the number of verified integrations, and ecosystem quality — the average HT Scores of integration partners. Products with higher-quality integration ecosystems are more likely to deliver a connected tech stack. |
| Customer Centricity |
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How customer-centric is this organization? Certified Support, Review Consistency, Profile Completeness ▾ Assesses whether the company has earned HTR Customer Support Certification, maintains consistent review collection over time (an indicator of feedback-driven culture), and keeps product profiles complete with capabilities, screenshots, pricing, and features. |
| Reach, Staying Power & Resources |
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How extensive is this company's reach and resourcing? Geographic Reach, Staying Power, Company Resources, Trending Score ▾ Measures global presence (countries and regions served), years in business as a stability proxy, team headcount as a resource proxy, and a trending score based on trailing-twelve-month buyer inquiries, reviews, partner recommendations, and press activity. |
Customer ratings and reviews are by far the most important factor in the HT Score algorithm. HTR does not accept payment for higher rankings. All reviews are verified — only hotel industry practitioners with confirmed affiliations can submit ratings. View full HT Score methodology →
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