Are Status stays in hotels allowed?

[jase05]

I haven’t done this before but want to rack peoples brains on whether you can book and prepay a room at an Accor property and not actually stay the whole duration and still receive status points and eligible nights.
The reason I ask is my parents are Accor Gold but seeing how we have been treated as a Platinum both here and abroad (especially in Vietnam) they are keen to push for Platinum for a trip to Vietnam next year and possibly another China trip. They are going to be 14 nights short of reaching Platinum and at this stage don’t really want to pay a minimum of say $1400 but they are currently in China and can get eligible Accor properties for $35-40/night. Can they book a room and prepay for the whole 14 nights but checkout after 1 or 2 nights or do they have to stay the whole time to get the credits?

 

[Saab34]

I have done this before a hotel when I told
them I wanted to checkout before opening time at the reception. They said leave the keys in the room so I did just that 2 days before.

I guess you could play stupid and do a similar thing, ie leave the keys in the room.

 

[samh004]

Hypothetically, they could check-in and then not stay, but it is check-out that would be the issue. So long as housekeeping didn't raise an issue over the fact the room looked like it hadn't been used over a fortnight, they could perhaps checkout over the phone at the end of the stay, or some such. I know a lot of hotels allow an express checkout where you deposit your keys in a box downstairs, but as they wouldn't be there this would be hard to do. But the principle is basically the same, "charge the card on file, I had to leave early".

I have considered similar before, but never done it.

Also need to make sure no overlapping stays.

 

[Isochronous]

As long as they check-in on the first night, it should be fine - I've done the same thing with a SPG status challenge at cheap properties in China. Then on the last day just send an email saying you left in a rush and forgot to settle at the desk but can they please charge the card presented at check-in and email the invoice.

 

[Buzzard]

One problem I can see is if the hotel (think house keeping) think you have disappeared and report missing guests to the police. The property may genuinely think something has happened to you.
I would suggest leaving some things in the room you won't need anymore, tell the property you want to keep the room and are happy to pay for it but you are going travelling. Ring the property on the last day and check out.
Am I over thinking this?

 

[Denali]

Ive left a hotel one night earlier than plan, didnt say anything and received points. Did phone the front desk and advise them that hubby forgot to drop off the key but we have departed/checked out.

Ive also left the hotel mid trip for a few nights and came back for the last few nights (easier to leave bags than repack/move) and nothing was said. Considering 2 older westerners disappeared wthout their luggage for a few nights and no one hit the concern button is interesting.

 

[get me outta here]

All we need to do now is work out how we don’t even need to be there in person to check in and still qualify for the status and points.

 

[DC3]

… Ive also left the hotel mid trip for a few nights and came back for the last few nights (easier to leave bags than repack/move) and nothing was said. Considering 2 older westerners disappeared wthout their luggage for a few nights and no one hit the concern button is interesting.

You are free to come and come as you please, of course. In my case, I had a 10-night booking (mattress run) at a $US45pn hotel (outside of Phoenix) but only stayed on the first night, left the next morning and never returned. However, I advised the Manager that I would be travelling in the area and would not be there every night. The nights all credited.

 

[moa999]

I'd be more cautious about doing this in China, as they do register guests on central databases.

 

[Denali]

I'd be more cautious about doing this in China, as they do register guests on central databases.

Thats where we left mid trip for a few nights, left our luggage in our room in Chengdu.

 

[jase05]

I'd be more cautious about doing this in China, as they do register guests on central databases.

That was my main concern. My parents are due to return to Australia next week so we’re hoping to pay upfront, stay a couple of nights and then leave early.
Im thinking perhaps somewhere like Bali is probably better?
The Ibis in Kuta often has rooms for $25-35/night and I’m sure with a nudge and a wink they would probably allow it