The Enhanced GHA Discovery program

[Lockyer Man]

I’ve been with GHA for at least 15 years. Maintained Titanium by doing 3 stays in different brands. I travel to Asia a lot so it very easy to maintain. In Australia, I use Parkroyal, Pan Pac & Oaks. In USA, I’ve used Outrigger in Hawaii and Pan Pac in Seattle & Vancouver (quite pricey though).

Yes with my extensive travelling around the world I have found that quite a few of the GHA branded hotels are more expensive if you are looking at a lot of the major hotel chains.

 

[Lockyer Man]

One catch to watch out for is that if you want to use Discovery$ to pay either for, or towards a stay, you have to book at one of the flexible rates and not on one of the reduced/ non-refundable rates as you have to pay for those rates at the booking time. You still earn Discovery$ for all rates but as it is for airline points earning nowadays, you earn more when you select a more expensive flexible rate.

 

[jase05]

GHA do not do a status match as they say that people can easily earn a level.

Yes, it’s very easy to earn status with GHA.
They are however running a current status match with Vietnam Airlines.
ViN Titanium and Gold members match to GHA Platinum whilst VN Platinum matches to GHA Titanium

 

[oz_mark]

GHA do not do a status match as they say that people can easily earn a level.

They do run matches and fast track opportunities from time to time

 

[MELso]

GHA do not do a status match as they say that people can easily earn a level.

Yes they do.

How do I know? Decided to upgrade my platinum (free through Mastercard using the link earlier in the thread) to titanium using the paid status match a couple of months ago.

This was primarily to hopefully get early check-in at the NH Grand Hansa in Helsinki given Finnair gets in about 7AM. Have a stay booked for the MEL airport Parkroyal in September, so just need one more brand.

 

[QF WP]

@straitman was only telling me the other day I needed to get Titanium. Have been a member for about 5 years and throw the occasional booking (generally single nights). Will have to look at my upcoming trips and check to see pricing versus benefits.

Have an upcoming stay in MEL that Oaks could be an option, so need to check PanPac and Parkroyal.

 

[jeza]

@straitman was only telling me the other day I needed to get Titanium. Have been a member for about 5 years and throw the occasional booking (generally single nights). Will have to look at my upcoming trips and check to see pricing versus benefits.

Have an upcoming stay in MEL that Oaks could be an option, so need to check PanPac and Parkroyal.

Avani may be an alternative to the Oaks.

 

[oz_mark]

One catch to watch out for is that if you want to use Discovery$ to pay either for, or towards a stay, you have to book at one of the flexible rates and not on one of the reduced/ non-refundable rates as you have to pay for those rates at the booking time. You still earn Discovery$ for all rates but as it is for airline points earning nowadays, you earn more when you select a more expensive flexible rate.

Ability to use D$ on AP rates is being worked on - you'll find a few properties where it works.

 

[Fortunatecrow]

It sounds like getting the GHA benefits is patchy with Oaks. Is that all benefits, or just the room upgrades? Should I expect Oaks to honour the early check in and late check out ?

Thanks in advance

 

[esquire]

It sounds like getting the GHA benefits is patchy with Oaks. Is that all benefits, or just the room upgrades? Should I expect Oaks to honour the early check in and late check out ?

Thanks in advance

Has been a real mixed bag with Oaks. I don’t bother with them anymore unless I need a 3rd brand for renewal.

 

[samas]

Got an email yesterday "Book and instantly pay with D$!"

Have not tried it yet - but good news on those prepaid rates! Or spend dollars in advance of expiring which my partner and I have had trouble redeeming promo dollars in time which have 2-3 month expiry periods.






[td]
*Valid at participating hotel brands. Terms and Conditions apply.
**Your D$ cannot be used for taxes, tips or fees. A minimum of D$10 and the usual credit card guarantee are required.

[/td]


Reading the terms Terms & Conditions - GHA DISCOVERY Loyalty Programme
I swear this was not available yet for bookings I made within the last few months at Pan Pac or Park Royal - which I would expect to be the first brands to do it, despute terms saying they had this since 31 July 2024.

6.2 As of 31 July 2024, D$ can also be redeemed for eligible bookings on the GHA DISCOVERY website and mobile app during the booking process as a payment method for eligible room rates at participating hotels. GHA reserves the right to amend the list of participating hotels at any time without prior notice. Members are not able to pay with D$ when booking Plum Guide properties.

 

[AYP]

I agree it's great if it works as intended, however, disappointed to read that NH Hotels weren't currently included which was my go to in Europe. I'll monitor if it changes..

 

[muppet]

…..

Reading the terms Terms & Conditions - GHA DISCOVERY Loyalty Programme
I swear this was not available yet for bookings I made within the last few months at Pan Pac or Park Royal - which I would expect to be the first brands to do it, despute terms saying they had this since 31 July 2024.

6.2 As of 31 July 2024, D$ can also be redeemed for eligible bookings on the GHA DISCOVERY website and mobile app during the booking process as a payment method for eligible room rates at participating hotels. GHA reserves the right to amend the list of participating hotels at any time without prior notice. Members are not able to pay with D$ when booking Plum Guide properties.

Yeah i haven’t seen it as an option for any of the Pan Pacific / Park Royal hotels in Australia.

 

[oz_mark]

Got an email yesterday "Book and instantly pay with D$!"

Have not tried it yet - but good news on those prepaid rates! Or spend dollars in advance of expiring which my partner and I have had trouble redeeming promo dollars in time which have 2-3 month expiry periods.





Reading the terms Terms & Conditions - GHA DISCOVERY Loyalty Programme
I swear this was not available yet for bookings I made within the last few months at Pan Pac or Park Royal - which I would expect to be the first brands to do it, despute terms saying they had this since 31 July 2024.

6.2 As of 31 July 2024, D$ can also be redeemed for eligible bookings on the GHA DISCOVERY website and mobile app during the booking process as a payment method for eligible room rates at participating hotels. GHA reserves the right to amend the list of participating hotels at any time without prior notice. Members are not able to pay with D$ when booking Plum Guide properties.

It's been rolling out brand by brand, and in some cases hotel by hotel. Pan Pacific in Australia isn't listed as a participating property for this,

 

[muppet]

a little off topic - but I just recieved a notification from a hotel in the GHA app that was a message. I cannot find where in the app to read the full message. Does anyone know how to find it?