Hotel loyalty programs when booking through 3rd party - any point in joining?

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dexter_jambles

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I currently stay at various hotels 50-100 nights per year but have not committed to a loyalty program. The main reason is that all my company booking is done through a booking agent and all booking & payment is taken care of on my behalf. As a result, I don't earn points through booking or paying directly with hotels.

However, I have heard that there are some instances where you can at least get status points that can lead to bonus points or even occasionally receive points for stays if giving a membership number on check in although there doesn't appear to be much info on this.

After reading through older threads I get the impression that it is very rare that points would be credited for stays booked through 3rd parties.

But what about status points? Is there any point trying to direct my stay at any particular group considering they are done via a 3rd party?

Unfortunately the hotels available through my booking agency have few SPG, the occasional IHG (Crowne Plaza) and Le Club Accor has the most options (Novotel, Mercure).
 
I would join and show your card at checkin, you might get lucky.
 
Further to what Markis10 posted by all means join ALL loyalty program's for the chains you might stay - but more importantly ASK at check-in - boldly state to staff that you are a valuable regular customer and 'How about a free upgrade?' - the worst response is going to be sorry Sir no can do - but if you don't ask you will never know. As for pts credits etc again if you are not a member of their loyalty program then indeed you WILL NOT receive any - if you are a member you may well receive.
 
I guess it depends on what you mean by '3rd party booking'.

Booked directly by AMEX Corporate, for example, allowed me to claim credit points / upgrade.

Booked through an aggregator (booking.com, Agoda) would result in nothing.

But unless you're a member of something, you won't get anything - and that's guaranteed.
 
It may be possible according to the T&C's:

7.1. reservation Channels eliGible for points

Stays booked at the eligible rates via the Accor distribution channels (Accor internet sites, Accor reservations centre, hotels) and traditional travel agencies using a GDS connected automatically to the Accor reservation centre, will enable a Member to accumulate Points.
Stays booked via a reseller, a tour operator or an online third party
travel agent (such as Expedia.com, Booking.com, etc.) will NOT
enable a Member to accumulate Points.

Source: http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/leclub/pdf/terms-and-conditions.pdf
 
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Thanks guys. When I referred to 3rd party it wasn't the web engines but a travel management company. Not sure if they qualify as as a 'traditional travel agency' as described in the T&C above.

Ironically I've been an Accor member for 2 or so years when I signed up during one of their giving away Platinum promos, but never really used the card. Expect to hit platinum with VA this year which will then provide a IHG Platinum membership as one of the benefits.

Nevertheless, I guess it means vigilance to always ask for the membership number to be added to the booking at check-in (it isn't possible to be added through the booking agent at time of booking) - but I guess this means it'll be the luck of the draw to actually receive status benefits if the hotel isn't aware before day of arrival.

Is anyone else in the same situation & can provide some advice?
 
Thanks guys. When I referred to 3rd party it wasn't the web engines but a travel management company. Not sure if they qualify as as a 'traditional travel agency' as described in the T&C above.

Ironically I've been an Accor member for 2 or so years when I signed up during one of their giving away Platinum promos, but never really used the card. Expect to hit platinum with VA this year which will then provide a IHG Platinum membership as one of the benefits.

Nevertheless, I guess it means vigilance to always ask for the membership number to be added to the booking at check-in (it isn't possible to be added through the booking agent at time of booking) - but I guess this means it'll be the luck of the draw to actually receive status benefits if the hotel isn't aware before day of arrival.

Is anyone else in the same situation & can provide some advice?

DONT take the IHG option as a VA plat, Hilton is far better.
 
DONT take the IHG option as a VA plat, Hilton is far better.

Problem is that I don't have any HH properties in the list of providers I can use so the only time I could benefit is on personal travel (which is minimal) rather than business.
 
Bookings via TMCs should typically be eligible, but I've found it depends on the individual property. Quite frustrating really, for example have had some Novotel say yes, some say no.

Bookings via Expedia and similar sites I've never had success with getting points.
 
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