Hilton HHonors - Question on award stay booked by someone else

Someone is gifting an award stay to me, how does it work? Check-in, documentation for the award reservation, upgrades and VIP benefits, etc...?

Thanks

Someone is gifting an award stay to me, how does it work?

That "someone" needs to have that award issued from his/her account but in your name. The reservation needs to be made in your name as well. Status-based benefits will be applicable based on your status, not on the status of that "someone". Check-in is exactly the same as usual.

You will also need to turn in the award cert at check in.

You will also need to turn in the award cert at check in.

Not necessarily - it can be faxed by HH directly to the hotel.

Who will get the stay credit and points for the stay if there is any?

Who will get the stay credit and points for the stay if there is any?

You will.

That "someone" needs to have that award issued from his/her account but in your name. The reservation needs to be made in your name as well. Status-based benefits will be applicable based on your status, not on the status of that "someone". Check-in is exactly the same as usual.

I can't stress what Eugene said regarding having the award in your name. They probably wouldn't let you check in at the hotel if the cert. is not in your name or they would just make a new reservation (as a walkin) in your name and charge you for it if you didn't have the cert. in your name.

You will also need to turn in the award cert at check in.I'm wondering if this has changed with the e-certs that are now issued, e.g. when you make a reservation online. The e-certificate number is reflected in the reservation and there is no 'certificate' per se to turn in. Granted this may be different for the specific case we're discussing, but on the other hand it may not.

They do tend to be a bit strict about this - having the person who is granted the award be the same person nominated on the confirmation. Too many eBayed and otherwise sold or bartered stays, IMO.

"GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Reward Confirmations are nontransferable after issuance and are valid for use only by the person whose name is specified on the face of the Confirmation. If a person other than the individual named on the Confirmation attempts to use it, the Confirmation will be deemed void and accommodations will be denied.

2. Rewards may not to be sold, auctioned, bartered, brokered or purchased except with the express written consent of Hilton HHonors Wolrdwide, LLC. Any Rewards obtained in this manner by any person or entity will be considered to be fraudulently obtained and will be deemed void if transferred for cash or other consideration. Altered or photocopied Reward Confirmations are void and will not be honored."

I find it is easier if you are making a reservation for someone else to use to NOT make an ecert reservation

I call the Honors Desk and then print out a cert in the other persons name. That way they can have hard copy. They also have the cert so if they decide to change where and when they want to stay - the reservation can be cancelled and they can use the cert at another time within the yr if they want to

Jan