Qualifying stays without checking-in?

[billbro]

Just wondering if anyone knows whether you still receive qualifying stays if you book non-refundable bookings, but don't show up/check-in?

We will potentially be staying at a lot of ICs if a trip goes ahead later this year, so would be keen to gain lounge access but we wouldn't get to 40 qualifying stays before the trip, so was wondering if there was a short cut.

 

[oz_mark]

Just wondering if anyone knows whether you still receive qualifying stays if you book non-refundable bookings, but don't show up/check-in?

We will potentially be staying at a lot of ICs if a trip goes ahead later this year, so would be keen to gain lounge access but we wouldn't get to 40 qualifying stays before the trip, so was wondering if there was a short cut.

If you don't show up, it will usually be recorded as a no-show and not count.

 

[UP4014]

No shows mean you haven't earned it and won't get it even if pre paid. If anyone finds an airline or hotel chain that does please share.

 

[billbro]

Thanks both, clearly a silly question on my end, but thought I'd check!

 

[oz_mark]

No shows mean you haven't earned it and won't get it even if pre paid. If anyone finds an airline or hotel chain that does please share.

I've had it happen randomly, but I wouldn't rely on it....

 

[levelnine]

Thanks both, clearly a silly question on my end, but thought I'd check!

Plenty of people do it in the US as part of 'mattress runs', but the ability to check-in remotely and not be recorded as a no-show varies from hotel to hotel. If you do some online research about mattress runs, you'll see plenty of info out there about which tactics work and which do not.

 

[billbro]

Plenty of people do it in the US as part of 'mattress runs', but the ability to check-in remotely and not be recorded as a no-show varies from hotel to hotel. If you do some online research about mattress runs, you'll see plenty of info out there about which tactics work and which do not.

Perfect, just what I needed to hear - will look up 'mattress runs' now! Wish I thought about/looked into this last year, was 1 night short of a suite upgrade.

 

[SYD]

Plenty of people do it in the US as part of 'mattress runs', but the ability to check-in remotely and not be recorded as a no-show varies from hotel to hotel. If you do some online research about mattress runs, you'll see plenty of info out there about which tactics work and which do not.

I was reading something on FT the other day that wasn’t explicit but my reading between the lines suggested there might have been a way to stay extremely cheaply and earn status - but the hotel was not in their home country - far from it in fact. I meant to book mark it for later research .

 

[Gold Member]

I was reading something on FT the other day that wasn’t explicit but my reading between the lines suggested there might have been a way to stay extremely cheaply and earn status - but the hotel was not in their home country - far from it in fact. I meant to book mark it for later research .

That might have been the Hotel Events Organiser hack I suspect it’s been enhanced since then.

 

[SYD]

That might have been the Hotel Events Organiser hack I suspect it’s been enhanced since then.

Oh, something like that would be a great hack! Lifetime Diamond (or equivalent) after one conference!

This literally looked like some HIE in nowhere China for ~$10* a night . Maybe they have online checkin and keyless entry or you pay an extra 10 bucks to have a local open the door…

*that might be an exaggeration but it wasn’t a lot.

 

[levelnine]

his literally looked like some HIE in nowhere China for ~$10* a night .

I've never done it, but frequently read about Americans doing it, especially with Hyatt due to the great perks of Globalist, but sometimes other chains. My understanding is China's a risky place to do it because they require passports upon check-in. But there seem to be other countries that are more amenable to it, and different parts of the US are better for it than others.

 

[SYD]

I've never done it, but frequently read about Americans doing it, especially with Hyatt due to the great perks of Globalist, but sometimes other chains. My understanding is China's a risky place to do it because they require passports upon check-in. But there seem to be other countries that are more amenable to it, and different parts of the US are better for it than others.

Yeah, a bit different to wandering down to the local HIE for a cheap Sunday night “staycation”. Even if you don’t sleep there.

 

[elanshin]

I've never done it, but frequently read about Americans doing it, especially with Hyatt due to the great perks of Globalist, but sometimes other chains. My understanding is China's a risky place to do it because they require passports upon check-in. But there seem to be other countries that are more amenable to it, and different parts of the US are better for it than others.

Apparently my friend has just enlightened me the real method is to befriend GMs in chains in China..and have them fix it up for you.

 

[drron]

Apparently my friend has just enlightened me the real method is to befriend GMs in chains in China..and have them fix it up for you.

Indeed that has happened with several of the chains. a few years ago it was reported that there were more Bonvoy platinums in China than anywhere else.

 

[SYD]

Indeed that has happened with several of the chains. a few years ago it was reported that there were more Bonvoy platinums in China than anywhere else.

and why many chains exclude mainland China from many benefits!

Which limits some locals benefiting but not non-locals in the know!

 

[Traveler999]

I thought IHG had a minimum $30USD / night room rate to count towards status?

The holiday Inn express Pattaya, Thailand has I think pretty decent 20m2 rooms in the low $30 USD range and offer 3000 additional status points for $16 so for $50 x 20 days you will have around 70,000 points and minimum of 20 days credits (more if bonus on offer like the recent 15 day one)

could be usefull for someone visiting Thailand to have a few days at the start and end of your trip if you really want to build up some credits.