Hilton HHonors - do you have to physically STAY at hotel to get points?

I'm new to Hilton Honors, though I've stayed at Hiltons in the past on some trips.

I'm going for the "stay four stays by late January and get 50,000 points" promo sent to me along with a 1-year instant gold card.

Do I have to physically STAY at the hotel to have it count as a "stay," just like one has to FLY miles to get EQM on an airline? Or can I just book the room (obviously preferably a cheap one if I'm not going to stay there) and PAY?

Welome to the world of Flytertalk, where the advice is free and the knowledge is endless.

Anyone can book a night at any Hilton property to earn points as long as you are billed and your HHonors number is recorded properly in your folio.

It is best to use domestic properties as you can have some direct dialogue with the managers if you need to. Foreign properties can be useful as well, like properties in Maylasia stays are often $37/night in USD.

If you have a mututal fund for you and your wife, you can get in 4 stays in 2 nights, plus a day submitting to the HHonors desk.

Last I checked, one of the properties in Reno was $34 a night if booked direct with the hotel. But I recommend booking throughthe web site as you can see the reservation.

Tell them you want to be billed regardless of chekin and you want the points. I've helped people do this on 20 different occaisions without a lost credit.


As Cordelli said below, some inexpensive rates don't qualify for points so it's smart to call and confirm with the front desk beforehand.

[This message has been edited by PaulGQ (edited 09-29-2003).]

Further, you can even goto your local Hamptin Inn and pay them to use the conference room for a half hour.

Many often charge a fee like $25 and if you give them your HHonors number, they may process it as a stay.

4 stays for $100 can get easily net you 50,000 points.

It depends on the property of they put through the credit for the stay if you don't check in. YOu may not have to stay the night, but you may have to check in for them to credit you. The credits are for staying nights, not paying for rooms, so while it may happen you will get the points and credit, it's probably more likely all they will do is charge you for the room.

Beware of the low rates direct from hotels and some of the websites, they may not be eligable for points or stay credit.

Thanks.

Variation on my question:

what if *I* book and pay for the room somewhere in another state, which would be eligible for Honors Points I'd check out ahead of time, but then I have a friend of mine come and stay there? (She'd love a free hotel stay!) Is that legitimate, e.g., to have her stay there as my "guest"/a gift, and check in on my behalf but then obviously have to show them HER credit card as ID to get in? Or, asked another way, are GIFT stays allowed for points?

Sure and you don't have to tell them it is a gift.

Just book it online. The easiest way I think is to secure the res with your card and HH number. Have her chekin in and present her card. Simply reimburse her (maybe before hand) for the room and tax. She'll cover her incidentals like phone and room service.

At checkin, if they ask where you are, just have her tell them you are delayed and you will be along later.

Works like a charm.

I wonder if the "gift" would be "officially" allowed, or if it could be construed as fraud on the program.

Gifts of rooms do not count, you have to be the registered paying guest of the hotel. Again, some hotels may let you get away with it, but I wouldn't count on it.

The only sure fire way to earn points and miles is if the name on the registration matches the person at the front desk getting a room and it matches the Hilton Honors Account.

I agree with cordelli.
You must be the person checking in as they often as for ID or credit card in the name of the member.I am Diamond so maybe it is different if they are upgrading someone than as a basic blue member but I do know that at the WALDORF no proper ID no get in room.
It would be better just to book in your home state checkin leave the key there and do auto checkout.
They cannot not give you the points if you dont sleep in the room.
many people use a room to shower and change or a bit on the side! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Does anyone know the promo # that came with this offer?
It would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

[This message has been edited by brentski (edited 09-30-2003).]