If I Make a Reward Booking Do I Need to Be There ?

[therudies86]

Looking at options for my wife’s travel and I wouldn’t be going with her. As Diamond member if I make a reward booking, do I need to check in or actually be there ?

 

[JohnK]

I'm not Diamond but I've made reward bookings for my wife when she's been in Thailand and I've not been there at the time of stay.

What I have done is include her in the booking and put a note in the booking that wife will arrive before me and they can check in. Has never been questioned.

I have also done this with IHG.

 

[ALH]

I'm not Diamond but I've made reward bookings for my wife when she's been in Thailand and I've not been there at the time of stay.

What I have done is include her in the booking and put a note in the booking that wife will arrive before me and they can check in. Has never been questioned.

I have also done this with IHG.

I have also used this method successfully with both hotel chains for family and friends, in Australia and overseas.

 

[justinbrett]

Which hotel?

Depends on local laws. In most of the US hotels it's digital check in and they never have to lay eyes on you or your ID.

 

[burmans]

Which hotel?

Depends on local laws. In most of the US hotels it's digital check in and they never have to lay eyes on you or your ID.

Useful info, there have been occasions in the past where checking into a US hotel without actually being there would have been useful and I suspect will be again.

 

[therudies86]

Thanks all.interestingly my wife’s name was added to the booking and she checked in. Then after the stay, and with no notice, i was refunded the points and they charged 230 euro on the assigned credit card. I’m planning to complain and will report back.

 

[justinbrett]

Thanks all.interestingly my wife’s name was added to the booking and she checked in. Then after the stay, and with no notice, i was refunded the points and they charged 230 euro on the assigned credit card. I’m planning to complain and will report back.

Which hotel?

 

[therudies86]

Which hotel?

DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station

 

[levelnine]

The T&Cs of the Hilton Honors program allow you to book reward stays in the name of another person, but reports are mixed about how kindly hotels take to the practice. I called the Hilton line yesterday to make such a booking, and all they did was make a booking in my name with my guests' names in the appropriate fields and a note saying it was a Diamond guest booking. I assume that will be sufficient, but I may call the hotel just to be sure.

 

[twiningb]

Another datapoint:

I (as Honors Gold) booked a Hampton in the US for my friends using my Honors points. We have different surnames. I reached out to Honors and they put a note on the booking, and the hotel was welcoming to my friends and gave them no trouble at all about not being the account holders.