How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[Daver6]

Are Amex FHR bookings also treated the same as direct bookings with regard to elite benefits?

Yes they should be.

 

[Berlin]

Only had experience with Shangri-La, and yes. Status recignised, Shangri-La points awarded after stay

From my experience, it depends on the individual property. But the Hilton rules are very clear that bookings on third party websites do not qualify as a "stay" as per the terms of the program and you'll find that A LOT or properties will not reward any special treatment or freebies if booked trough a third party aggregator but others please correct me if I'm wrong. Pretty much the same for Hyatt, Marriott and I bet a few others too.

From the Hilton website:

A "stay" is defined as the total number of consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, whether or not a guest checks out and checks back in again. Specifically excluded from the definition of "stay" are the following types of ineligible stays: Wholesale/tour operator packages; contracted crew rates; travel agency discount rates; packages exclusively for casino player card holders; unauthorized Members staying on Go Hilton Team Member or Family & Friends Travel Rates; stays secured utilizing Hilton Grand Vacations Club and Hilton Club timeshare programs, Hilton Grand Vacations marketing packages with a sales presentation requirement; complimentary or barter rooms; NET Group rates; Series Group or IT Group rates; contracted Entertainment or Encore rates; third party websites bookings (irrespective of rate paid); and "opaque" channel bookings where the brand may or may not be known at the time of purchase.

 

[Berlin]

Yes they should be.

Should they really- is that stated anywhere on the Amex website as I can't see it (but I might be blind). Would otherwise think that American Express travel counts as a (very bad) travel agency and "Travel agency discount rates" are excluded as per the above rules. Of course, some properties might be generous but I would actually be quite curious to here from experiences whether that's the case or not.

 

[Daver6]

Should they really- is that stated anywhere on the Amex website as I can't see it (but I might be blind). Would otherwise think that American Express travel counts as a (very bad) travel agency and "Travel agency discount rates" are excluded as per the above rules. Of course, some properties might be generous but I would actually be quite curious to here from experiences whether that's the case or not.

I've not searched the Amex website, but if you Google this topic, all reports are they you do. Personally, I've not test it with HH but have with Marriott Bonvoy and received benefits and points etc. YMMV.

 

[Berlin]

I've not searched the Amex website, but if you Google this topic, all reports are they you do. Personally, I've not test it with HH but have with Marriott Bonvoy and received benefits and points etc. YMMV.

Okay- good to know. I've had several bookings through Amex with Marriott and Hilton and none of those properties would honor any benefits (let alone points) beyond what Amex itself offers. So it seems to be at the discretion of the property. But, sorry, we're moving off topic again so I shut up now.

 

[http_x92]

Actually willing to give this a go at the Hilton Sydney as I need to find a good use for the 400/100 Amex Travel Offer. So that means a prepaid travel booking. A pity its the only Hilton here that is under FHR/Hotel Collection. Standard rates are through the roof atm however.

Will see if I could get them to link my Hilton Honors number to the reservation in order to unlock the elite Hilton benefits + 100 USD credit.

 

[Harthagan]

Does anyone know if the 25% off restaurants for diamonds includes in-room dining? If so, do you have to do anything special in order to receive the discount?

 

[Berlin]

Does anyone know if the 25% off restaurants for diamonds includes in-room dining? If so, do you have to do anything special in order to receive the discount?

Once again one of these things that seems to be totally be at the discretion of the property. Likewise, you will sometimes find properties that allow you to have your breakfast from room service rather than at the buffet which in my books is awesome but unfortunately rather rare but does happen.

 

[dairyfloss]

Does anyone know if the 25% off restaurants for diamonds includes in-room dining? If so, do you have to do anything special in order to receive the discount?

If you're talking about the dine 'like a member' offer (is it still ongoing?), then that's only dine-in, and note that not all outlets are participating...

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Flashback]

Okay- good to know. I've had several bookings through Amex with Marriott and Hilton and none of those properties would honor any benefits (let alone points) beyond what Amex itself offers. So it seems to be at the discretion of the property. But, sorry, we're moving off topic again so I shut up now.

In the UK AMEX FHR is moving to a prepaid type arrangements, so certainly here they may no longer work for being recognised as an elite. While on pay at checkout it has worked fine, so the jury is out on that one. I'm not sure if it's a change that they will be rolling out globally or not...

 

[Berlin]

In the UK AMEX FHR is moving to a prepaid type arrangements, so certainly here they may no longer work for being recognised as an elite. While on pay at checkout it has worked fine, so the jury is out on that one. I'm not sure if it's a change that they will be rolling out globally or not...

I'm not surprised then because the examples I can think of where in either Europe or the US and yes, all prepaid. Interesting to learn that it seems to be different down here as I usually ignore those FHR offers completely in properties I have status with and/or am collecting their points.

 

[oz_mark]

If you're talking about the dine 'like a member' offer (is it still ongoing?), then that's only dine-in, and note that not all outlets are participating...

'Dine like a member' runs through to the end of this month.

And, as you say, it is dine-in only (at participating restaurants, etc...)

 

[bits]

Does anyone know if the 25% off restaurants for diamonds includes in-room dining? If so, do you have to do anything special in order to receive the discount?

For Hilton Sydney, the discount is advertised as: "Dine like a member in Caffè Cino, Marble Bar or Zeta Bar, where Hilton Honors members can enjoy 10-25% off. Plus, earn an extra 500 points with a minimum spend of $35".
It's still ongoing (advertised on their website as well as on the LED screen in the guest elevator). In-room dining is not specifically mentioned, so I would assume not included.

 

[Harthagan]

For Hilton Sydney, the discount is advertised as: "Dine like a member in Caffè Cino, Marble Bar or Zeta Bar, where Hilton Honors members can enjoy 10-25% off. Plus, earn an extra 500 points with a minimum spend of $35".
It's still ongoing (advertised on their website as well as on the LED screen in the guest elevator). In-room dining is not specifically mentioned, so I would assume not included.

Ok thanks, figured it was unlikely to be.

 

[Daver6]

Actually willing to give this a go at the Hilton Sydney as I need to find a good use for the 400/100 Amex Travel Offer. So that means a prepaid travel booking. A pity its the only Hilton here that is under FHR/Hotel Collection. Standard rates are through the roof atm however.

Will see if I could get them to link my Hilton Honors number to the reservation in order to unlock the elite Hilton benefits + 100 USD credit.

In the past what I've done is forward the booking confirmation to Amex Plat travel and request that add my hotel membership number to the booking.

 

[JessicaTam]

So just for clarity, is this thread for reviews for direct bookings only, as that's the only time you're considered an elite?

Reviews of Hilton properties for other bookings would be done via a TR or something?

My [mod hat] direction was specifically aimed at the last dozen or so posts which had the potential to become (more) heated.

 

[Berlin]

My [mod hat] direction was specifically aimed at the last dozen or so posts which had the potential to become (more) heated.

Guilty look in my face once again…

 

[samas]

Property: Hilton Cairns
Nights: 5 (here now 8 to 13 June)
Status: Diamond
Room booked: King Guest Room
Room Received: King Spa Room
Rate: Points, 45,000 point for the Thursday night, every other night 50,000 points. Total 195,000 with 5th night free. (Booked 6 months ago)


About a week out I got a pre-arrival diamond text and I replied was expecting to be there 1130 on check-in day if room was available awesome but if not I would grab a lounge key. They replied booked out so they will note the early arrival if possible.

Received another pre-arrival text message 24 hours out and I replied stating I had done digital checkin and my listed partner would be arriving about 4 hours before me around 1130 if it was possible to have a lounge key provided until our room was available so +1 could use the space to work on laptop. That was replied to as being not a problem. (originally I was also going to arrive at 1130 but ended up quite a distance away with my locally based colleague.)

My partner arrived just after 1130 and described it as being quite a poor arrival experience. As I was not in the conversation noting what was explained to me by my +1:
the check-in agent had a huff and a puff about the diamond member must be present to go to the lounge and a lounge key would not be provided at all till I arrived. Fortunately the room was available and one blue key was provided to the room to my partner. This was actually the outcome we were hoping for early check-in, the lounge was only a backup if room not ready yet. My partner did query and show screenshot of pre-arrival exchange stating it was very disappointing to be said yes no problem the day before and have a flip on the day. We would have had no problem if they said the day before that daytime lounge for +1 was not possible. It was a polite request.
I think when my partner arrived at the hotel the wrong question was asked as "can I have a lounge key" when the conversation should have started "is our room available for check-in at the moment" and that may have played out differently.


When I arrived at 4pm a key pack was ready for me with 2 wooden keys and the little slips with hotel info etc. My agent I had with a last name on his badge so a manager of some sort said "let me just check these keys have all required access" so I suspected this agent whilst different knew about the encounter earlier and they specifically coded the partners blue card without lounge and was making sure it was on this one.

Out of curiosity my partners blue key we did later test and did work on the lounge door LMAO!

 

[Harthagan]

Property: Hilton Sydney
Room Booked: King Deluxe Room
Rate: Booked the day before so paid $386 for 1 night
HH Status: Diamond
Received: City Suite
Check in/out: Checked into room at 1.30pm and got a late check-out approved for 2pm

Was initially upgraded to just an executive room, but on the morning off my stay received a call from a lady in the executive team who just wanted to confirm what time we were going to be arriving. After telling her she asked me if there was anything else I needed and I asked if there was any chance of a complimentary upgrade to a junior suite. She said she would look into it and get back to me. 15 minutes later she called and said she could do one better and upgraded us to a city suite instead. Couldn't really have gone any better!

 

[Buzzard]

Property: Hilton Cairns, here now like @samas
Booked: King Guest Room
Rate: 50,000 points per night (2 nights)
HH Status: Diamond
Received: King Spa Room 8th Floor

Was offered extra water on check in.
Informed I could have breakfast in the lounge or downstairs.
Have found the staff very pleasant and the lounge offerings quite acceptable.
No problem getting a breakfast pack for tomorrow morning as I leave by 6:00am