Hotel Frequent Guest Programs Asia.

[simongr]

I havent done anything as yet. The past year has been a lot of boutique hotels. When I travel I tend to be in one place for a while and if I am doing multi fligth activity I tend to be staying with family/friends.

In the past twelve months my hotels have been:

Pittsburgh Cranberry Marriott - 15 nights
Kitano New York - 3 nights
Mal Maison London - 15 nights
Pan Pacific Singapore - 1 night
Quay West Suites AKL - 14 nights
Lanson Place HKG - 3 nights
Akasaka Prince Tokyo - 2 nights
Marriott Orchard Road Singapore - 5 nights
Hilton Bangkok - 4 nights
W New York - 5 nights (2 stays)

So no real profile with anyone at the moment - although I have some status with Mariott. the reason for Hilton Metropole is because its keeping the cost of my UK trip down (which means I can lard up on expensive food ) - so now I am "switching" to Hilton.

My trips this year will be:

Beijing - 5 nights
Tokyo - 2 nights
Shanghai - 3 nights
London (confirmed) - 18-20 nights
Hong Kong - 14 nights (twice but some is in November)

For the stays that would be before November - I would have 6 stays and about 46 nights. For the twelve months Dec06-Nov07 it would be 6 stays and potentially 55 nights which would give me gold membership - and if something crops up in the US I might make diamond. Not sure how I could doa shuffle with these trips that would be convenient and workable...

I would like to see if I can convert the hotel status into some free hotel nights in New York in July 2008 (currently registered for points and miles (I think)) - but that is a sundry objective...

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

London has lots of Hilton hotels. Not that hard to switch between them each night racking up stay credits for each night (instead of 1 for the whole stay) and also getting multiple lots of airline miles, bonuses, etc.

 

[simongr]

I am not sure this is something i want to explore - last time I was tempted into maximising earning I ended starting to fly to the US via barbados - and see where that has gotten me

I have a great rate at the metropole (GBP136/night incl breakfast). In terms of accelerating status - I currently have only 1 stay and 5 nights. To accelerate to Gold I would need 16 stays or 36 nights - I think I will comfortably hit 36 nights after the UK. I am not sure I have the stomach for changing hotels every two days (or more) over a three week period (and people are going to think I am crazier than they already do).

If I can hit Gold I will be pretty happy - it should give me enough points for a few nights stays.

Also - I am not sure I see much difference in beenfits (other than more award availability, 50% bonus on base points) between gold and Diamond?

 

[serfty]

Gold is where it starts to happen. If generally gets you upgraded to the executive levels with lounge and complimentary breakfast. You get this after 16 stays or 36 nights. (Any number of consecutive nights in the one Hotel counts as 1 stay).

You might like to try to fast track this by contacting HHonors and requesting complimentary gold status.

Send them an email telling them that and you are QF SG and AA Plat and you will soon be AA Exp. You are planning in 50+ room nights in the next few months and will consider staying at Hilton Brand hotels in preference to other hotel brands if they are willing arrange complimentary Gold status for you.

I suggest you use [email protected]

At the very least they will give you complimentary silver status, and if so, ask for Gold again after staying at Hiltons a couple of times.

With those kind of stays coming up you will get Gold anyway after 36 nights; but it's better to get it sooner. (you know, lounge acces, breakfast and bonus status points).

By the way; this IS how I got my complimentary HHonors Gold status. Asked (Feb '05), "Comped" Silver, stayed as a Silver, asked again (May '05), stayed some more and asked again and was "comped" (Aug '05).

I subsequently would have earned it any wayand last year I re-qualified until Apr '08.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

You not only qualify Gold or Diamond faster (and so enjoy those benefits sooner) but get extra airline miles. For example if crediting to a program offering 500 miles per stay (fairly standard but some offer more), 5 nights as a single stay earns 500 miles and as 5 stays earns 2500 miles. If on double or triple HHonors points and airline miles offers then they also multiply up quicker. If on promos like stay 3/5/7 get 1/2/3 free nights then you qualify for more free stays (which can use at any hotel), and much faster.

Before I found out about this "trick" I thought I couldn't possibly qualify top hotel status in any program - I don't stay too many nights at the same chain even if I try to optimise (some locations not served for example). But multi-night stays in some locations (London is one, Melbourne & Los Angeles two others) made it so much easier. 16 stays for Gold and 28 for Diamond.

 

[simongr]

Many thanks both - email sent to Hilton - I will advise if there is any change.

@KiwiFlyer - Points very much noted. I will assess their response to the request and once I know where the offices are in Beijing and where the hotels are I will work out what is possible

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

IIRC there is only 1 hilton in Beijing, out towards the airport direction, on the number 3 ring road. It was undergoing refurbishment when I stayed there - should be complete by now.

 

[JohnK]

I have a great rate at the metropole (GBP136/night incl breakfast).

~A$320. Great rate? I need to learn how to live the high society lifestyle.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

~A$320. Great rate? I need to learn how to live the high society lifestyle.

Have you seen the price of accommodation in central London? It is eye watering.

 

[simongr]

These are the rates quoted by out local corporate TA:


Sheraton Park Tower GBP259.00 per night
Sheraton Belgravia GBP199.00 per night
Marriott County Hall GBP279.00 per night
Hilton Docklands GBP155.00 per night
Hilton Euston GBP149.00 per night
Hilton Tower Bridge GBP179.00 per night

That was my Starwood/Marriott/Hilton request. They also provided a general request about hotels near the office:

Radisson Kenilworth GBP121.29 per night
Crowne Plaza GBP265.00 per night
Travelodge Covent Garden GBP95.00 per night
Citadines Covent Garden GBP98.00 per night

Now I am travelling on business and my only demands of the room are: King size bed, good shower, non-smoking (whole floor if possible), wireless broadband and a reasonable room service menu (I travel alone alot and would often rather eat in my room whilst wtaching TV and relaxing rather than eating out by myself). That's why I thought the rate was good.

 

[JohnK]

Have you seen the price of accommodation in central London? It is eye watering.

I can see why I don't like London.

Looks like I will not be spending any time in London. I am glad my tour starts and ends in Frankfurt and London will only be a transit.

 

[serfty]

If you can do it, transiting London is good and saves money; any non European International departure and you will be up for a minimum of £40 (if in the back of the plane, 'tis £80 for any premium cabin).

Some year ago I stayed in Piccadilly in a Hotel room (pre-booked, cheapest I could find without communal washrooms). It cost AUD175 for a single bed with a wardrobe, a basin, shower and toilet. Think Ibis in with 'Tweed' decor.

 

[JohnK]

If you can do it, transiting London is good and saves money; any non European International departure and you will be up for a minimum of £40 (if in the back of the plane, 'tis £80 for any premium cabin).

The RTW is already booked. But as there was limited award availability ATH-LHR, and already 2 transits through LHR, I had to leave ATH 2 days earlier than expected. So I now have 2 days in London which may end up being 2 days in Copenhagen or wherever I can find a cheap I class airfare.

 

[simongr]

Some year ago I stayed in Piccadilly in a Hotel room (pre-booked, cheapest I could find without communal washrooms). It cost AUD175 for a single bed with a wardrobe, a basin, shower and toilet. Think Ibis in with 'Tweed' decor.

I am trying not to think about that :shock:

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

If you can do it, transiting London is good and saves money; any non European International departure and you will be up for a minimum of £40 (if in the back of the plane, 'tis £80 for any premium cabin).

Only if that departure is start of a ticket or after a stopover on a single ticket. If transit then no APD.

 

[serfty]

Only if that departure is start of a ticket or after a stopover on a single ticket. If transit then no APD.

Cartainly

If you can do it, transiting London is good and saves money ...

 

[JohnK]

If you can do it, transiting London is good and saves money; any non European International departure and you will be up for a minimum of £40 (if in the back of the plane, 'tis £80 for any premium cabin).

So my QF taxes and surcharges could have been a lot higher than $935 if not for the saving grace of departing Europe in the morning with routing BRU-LHR-HKG-SYD

 

[QF WP]

I have a fair bit of international travel comming up over the next 24 months specially in Asia & HK & Singapore in particular.

I am looking for a good Hotel Frequent Guest Program...as I work for myself I do not always stay at the Park Hyatt but if the program is reasonable the Hilton ,Marriott or Sheraton are possibilities.

I usually pay with my with my Qantas AM EX Ultimate Card to get the max in ff points.

Are there any recomendations out there?

Sweens.

Getting back to the original poster, I would have to wholeheartedly agree with the majority of posters - I would be looking at a combination of Hilton Hhonors and Priority Club Rewards.

Both programs have multiple brands of hotels in the program. This is handy, as more likely to find hotels in the cities you have suggested you'll be staying.

I would join both. Initially I'd start my stays at Hiltons. For them, do as serfty suggests in his post on the previous page. If they offer you a status challenge (say they give you a challenge to stay 8 nights in a 90 day period to obtain Gold), take it. Once you have expedited elite status with Hilton then you will get you the ability to use that Hilton status to request a status match with Priority Club. Automatic Platinum level - automatic suite upgrades if available to me is the best benefit.

I have done this to obtain my initial statuses with all programs (and continue to horse trade between programs to maximise benefits). If you want some help, PM me and I can take you through it step-by-step. Happy to also talk to you if need be.

 

[simongr]

I suggest you use [email protected]

Hmm - no response from that email address as yet. Hotels for Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong are not confirmed (good work FCM) yet but once those bookings are I migth call HHonors...

 

[straitman]

Hmm - no response from that email address as yet. Hotels for Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong are not confirmed (good work FCM) yet but once those bookings are I migth call HHonors...

I've sent emails to 3 different addresses at Hilton in the last few weeks and have not had any response.