First Class Escorted Vacations

[JohnK]

I have been researching first class tours through Europe next year with either Insight or Globus. The hotels used are first class or superior first class hotels like Hiltons, Crowne Plazas, Radissons, Ramadas etc.

Is it possible to include these stays in the hotel's loyalty programs?

Without reading the detailed terms and conditions of the tour company and/or hotel loyalty programs my guess would be that these nights do not qualify as they are group bookings. Has anyone been on a tour like this and been successful in crediting stays to a hotel loyalty program?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I know with Hilton you definitely won't be able to claim HHonors points. You shouldn't get airline miles either but if you give your card at check in who knows? Literally a case of YMMV.

 

[NM]

I know with Hilton you definitely won't be able to claim HHonors points. You shouldn't get airline miles either but if you give your card at check in who knows? Literally a case of YMMV.

But if you charge something to your room and pat at time of checkout, you sould be able get HH points for the charged amount (not much) and more importantly that should trigger stay/night credits. Not sure about other hotels.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

But if you charge something to your room and pat at time of checkout, you sould be able get HH points for the charged amount (not much) and more importantly that should trigger stay/night credits. Not sure about other hotels.

Depends on what the charge is for and also on the hotel. Contracted 3rd party services not supposed to give points. Some hotels deny points on everything. I have to ask myself is it worth the effort to chase say 300 HHonors points? No.

 

[NM]

Depends on what the charge is for and also on the hotel. Contracted 3rd party services not supposed to give points. Some hotels deny points on everything. I have to ask myself is it worth the effort to chase say 300 HHonors points? No.

Generally not worth it for the points. But in my case it would be very much worth it for the stay/night credit. I like the fact that Hilton will also credit award stays for stays/nights, which helps for requalification.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

But I get the stay credit anyway on paid and award stays.

 

[NM]

But I get the stay credit anyway on paid and award stays.

Indeed we do, and I said I liked that feature of the HH program. But you can also get a stay/night credit on a rate that has been paid direct or by someone else by adding your HH number to the bookings (even at checkin) and ensuring a qualifying charge is entered into your room account (a meal etc). So if part of a tour or conference where the room rate is included in the tour or conference fee, you will not earn HH points for the accommodation portion. But if you charge something to your room account and pay at checkout, you can still get the stay/night credit. But the number of HH points may be trivial if all you did was purchase a chocolate from the minibar.

 

[maninblack]

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I have a reliable phone number in Prague...if thats of interest...

 

[Mal]

I think this is a bit hit and miss. The hotel might add your HH number, but also might tell you to sod off!

The tour companies buy these rooms at extra low rates. In the T&C of the various hotel loyalty programs, these types of rates are normally excluded from earning stay credits (not always sure about points).

I think you may need to persuade the front desk to add your number - but of course worth the effort if it pays off.

(Bribes of chocolates and Australian gifts may definately go in your favour!)

 

[straitman]

Bribes of chocolates and Australian gifts may definately go in your favour!

.....or Vegemite :!: ...unless you are in the USA

 

[JohnK]

I have a reliable phone number in Prague...if thats of interest...

Not that type of information.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

is there more than one meaning for escort?

 

[NM]

I think you may need to persuade the front desk to add your number - but of course worth the effort if it pays off.

In my experience, the hotel front desk staff are always willing to add it, no matter what the rate or even if pre-paid. HH will always pay HH points for eligible incidentals charged to the room, even if the room rate is not eligible for points.

Generally for tour/group bookings, I have found that the hotels move the room charge off the individual room accounts and into a master account charged to the tour/conference/group. In that way, the individual is left with only their incidentals to pay upon departure. And in my experience with Hilton Honors, if your HH number is in the room reservation details (even added at check-in or at check-out), you get the points and stay credits paid.

I have never had any hotel refuse to add my hotel membership when staying at a pre-paid or inclusive conference rate. In most cases they will also provide any status benefits such as lounge access and upgrades if available (often not at conferences due to high occupancy rates).

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

In my experience, the hotel front desk staff are always willing to add it, no matter what the rate or even if pre-paid. HH will always pay HH points for eligible incidentals charged to the room, even if the room rate is not eligible for points.

I've had some incidentals denied points based on dodgy interpretation of "eligible".

 

[JohnK]

Thanks for the replies.

The general consensus so far appears to be in asking the hotel front desk to add membership number at check-in although no points would be credited for hotel stay other than any incidentals charged to room.

When on an escorted/guided tour like this, to reduce costs I buy fresh supply of fruit and beverages at local supermarkets. Not much time spent in room other than sleeping as any remaining time is spent touring or going out to dinner or drinks in groups.

No great loss, just wanted to gauge whether it is possible to get points for hotel stays.