Hilton HHonors - Photo ID at Checkin?

Last week, I checked into a Hilton. Paid stay, working on a "status run". It was a government rate.

The front desk person had all my data, but she asked for a photo ID. Not a government ID, just a photo ID. So, I showed her my passport and everything was fine.

Is this a new trend? It's the first time I've ever been asked for ID at check in that I can recall.

They've stopped asking me for ID now that I'm Diamond. Before, they asked each and every time.

When I've run into this they've always claimed that it was "for your safety" but could never tell me what about the procedure actually did anything to make me "safe" instead of just annoyed. I always refuse, pointing out that I've quoted my HH number, shown the credit card that I made the reservation with, shown up at the proper hotel, etc. What's most disturbing about this is that at one hotel that I have stayed at numerous times, they tried to tell me that this absurd check was standard procedure. I'd been there 5+ times prior without it. I HATE being lied to.

When I've run into this they've always claimed that it was "for your safety" but could never tell me what about the procedure actually did anything to make me "safe" instead of just annoyed. I always refuse

You are correct to refuse. I, as well, see no benefit to me. Safety, my rump! I'd say it is to protect the hotel from fraudulent credit card use.

The request that I love to refuse is "Can I have your work number?" when I present a check at the grocery store. When they insist, I make one up, usually with a distant area code.

European hotels often ask for passports. Would you object to that as well?

We have had several threads about this here in the past, I get asked probably one out of every 20 stays.

In Europe it's the law in some countries that your information has to be reported to the authorities within a certain amount of time. That's totally different then a hotel here asking on their own.

It's not a new trend, just one that has been around for a while that is very spotty as to when they do and don't ask. I get asked for the AAA card more then the ID though.

> I'd say it is to protect the hotel from fraudulent credit card use.

Uh, not. The merchant agreement (MC, Visa & AMEX) actually
prohibit the merchant from requesting add'l ID. Nuts eh?

The procedures do change if Shrub is in the area. The USSS is
mighty persnickity about a reasonably positive ID.

The DoubleTree Golf Resort @ San Diego wanted to photocopy
my DL. Uh, no. I darn near had to crawl across the counter to
prevent that bit of nonsense.

-doug

Never been asked for ID domestic or international at a Hilton (or a Hyatt or a Marriott, for that matter). *shrug*

> I'd say it is to protect the hotel from fraudulent credit card use.

Uh, not. The merchant agreement (MC, Visa & AMEX) actually
prohibit the merchant from requesting add'l ID. Nuts eh?

-doug

Actually this is a common misconception. Merchants are required by the agreement with V/MC to get identification before accepting the cards. Otherwise, if it is a stolen card the merchant will bear responsibility for the charge instead of V/MC. The merchant must not only check the photo, but are supposed to compare signatures on the card, ID, and charge slip. Few however actually do.

I've been asked for ID at every hotel I have ever been in.

IMHO, there's nothing wrong with it. I do want to them to check everyone's ID. I have a very common name, and on more than a few occasions, there's another customer with the same name. I would not be thrilled if my reservation was given to the other person.

It probably helps to reduce credit card fraud as well. When businesses lose money, they only jack up their rates affecting everyone. If if helps to keep rates/prices where they are or less without any harm to me, I don't mind.

Actually this is a common misconception. Merchants are required by the agreement with V/MC to get identification before accepting the cards. Otherwise, if it is a stolen card the merchant will bear responsibility for the charge instead of V/MC. The merchant must not only check the photo, but are supposed to compare signatures on the card, ID, and charge slip. Few however actually do.

Can you provide some sort of confirmation of this? There have been numerous discussions on FT about this, and your point of view hasn't been prevalent.

Can you provide some sort of confirmation of this? There have been numerous discussions on FT about this, and your point of view hasn't been prevalent.

I really don't care who's viewpoint is prevalent.

Can you provide something to prove otherwise?

Anyone else?

Merchants are required by the agreement with V/MC to get identification before accepting the cards.Wrong!
For Visa:
"It is contrary to Visa policy to require the consumer to show identification as a condition of the sale. If a merchant asks for identification and the consumer is unable or unwilling to produce it, the merchant is still obliged to accept the consumer’s Visa card. Consumers who experience refusal of service based on identification may either call their card issuer to report the problem or call 1-800-VISA-911" (http://usa.visa.com/about_visa/newsroom/press_kit/faq.html?it=search#anchor_18)


For MasterCard:
Merchant Violation Reporting Form: The merchant/retailer required identification. (http://www.mastercard.com/contactus/contactus_mv.html)


Otherwise, if it is a stolen card the merchant will bear responsibility for the charge instead of V/MC.Wrong again! The issuing bank is responsible in situations like these.

The merchant must not only check the photo, but are supposed to compare signatures on the card, ID, and charge slip.You guessed it -- wrong again (see above)!

Few however actually do.Now you know why...

Actually the only "wrong" part (you seem to really, really like that word! :D ) was that I forgot to mention this is policy when the card is unsigned, as many are (like mine). From Visa's own web site, if you check:

CARD PRESENT:

1. Request a signature. Ask the cardholder to sign the card and provide current government identification, such as a driver's license or passport (if local law permits).
2. Check the signature. Be sure that the cardholder signature on the transaction receipt matches the one on the card and the additional identification.
3. Complete the transaction. If the signatures appear reasonably the same and the authorization request is approved, continue the transaction. If the cardholder refuses to sign the card, do not accept the card.

You're right in that V/MC feel they have built in enough safety features on their cards to minimize fraud. But they do require a signature, and require merchants to verify the legitimacy of that signature.

Bob, I think you are wrong. Signature verification happens on the transaction slip they sign and on the back of the card. Not against the ID. Both MC and Visa are very clear about that, if the signature matches the one on the card, you are not allowed to ask for any further identification if the sale doesn't require it (drugs in some states, alcohol, etc). Verification of a signature can not be against another form of ID, only the back of the card.

The only time the merchant agreements allow for the checking of an additional form of ID is when an unsigned card is presented, and then only to confirm the signature they must put on the card against the one on the ID before they accept the card. It's against every major credit card company merchant agreement for the merchant to accept cards unsigned, or ones that say photo ID under any circumstances. There are a lot of things against merchant agreements that merchants do every day (minimum purchase, ID checks, etc), so it probably has no merit.

The merchant bears no responsiblilty what so ever with fradulant card use. If MC or Visa or whoever authorize the charge, then the merchant gets their money no matter what. The issuing bank eats the loss, or the consumer does while they try to get it straight. If it's a non authorization sale, then the merchant still loses nothing if the signature on the slip matches the one on the card, not on an ID. As virtually every merchant runs the card for authorization first, this isn't an issue at all for them.

In summary:

Merchants can never, ever, not at all, ask for ID to complete a sale with a credit card unless they are selling something that requires ID.

Merchants can ask for an ID only to accept an unsigned credit card, but that ID can only be used to verify that the card, which must be signed in the merchants presence before they can do the transaction, is being signed by the person who is on the id.

Merchants can not accept charge cards that are not signed

Merchants don't suffer any loss what so ever for fradulant use in virtually all the cases.

Merchants don't care about the rules and do what they want anyways.

I forgot to mention this is policy when the card is unsigned, as many are (like mine)What does your inability and/or unwillingness to use a credit card properly have anything to do with the topic at hand? Have you read your cardholder's agreement? Have you looked at the back of your card(s) where it says "NOT VALID UNLESS SIGNED"? :rolleyes:

1. Request a signature. Ask the cardholder to sign the cardSo how does this work exactly? Do you get a new card with a blank signature strip for each transaction?

I don't see what everyone is getting so hot about. I am probably asked about 25-50% of the time to show my ID at check-in. Most of my stays are in the US. It seems like to me that I am most often asked to show ID on a Priceline stay. They glance at my ID for maybe one full second. As each state driver's license are different, I find that they struggle to even find my name on the ID, let alone look at the picture, and then look back at me. There is certainly no time for them to memorize my vital statistics, address, or birthday. They have got to have an amazing photographic memory to quickly store my 12 character alpha-numeric DL number. I never take my DL out of the plastic holder in my wallet, so there is always the potential for glare or distortion off of the fading plastic.

I have found that the airport gate agents and TSA have become much more lax about looking at IDs. I seem to be always ready to thrust my ID at someone and most of the time they don't seem interested.

Do you think that refusing to show your driver's license is going to help with getting upgrades or any breaks from the front line folks.

Never been asked for ID domestic or international at a Hilton (or a Hyatt or a Marriott, for that matter). *shrug*

Was recently asked at the PDX Sheraton Airport hotel. However, when I made my reservation, I was told ID would be necessary for check-in.

Perhaps a policy they have created, or the government has pushed upon them, in this Shrub/Faux News era of "fear" with it being an airport hotel, which is near an active runway?

That said, I generally am never requested for any ID at hotels (Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, Sheraton, etc), unless somewhere overseas (i.e. Italy) where it is required.

Best,

SDF_Traveler (in MEL)

It is also possible it is not related to a credit card. There are some weird state laws out there governing hotels, and maybe some new hotshot manager ordered the staff to start checking IDs for all guests because some obscure law requires it. Same way they used to ask you to put down your vehicle license number (anyone get that one anymore?). I haven't seen the ID request myself except for the passport requests overseas.

And I don't know why KVS is getting so hot about this, but I will sign my cards IMMEDIATELY so he may sleep well tonight :p

When I've run into this they've always claimed that it was "for your safety" but could never tell me what about the procedure actually did anything to make me "safe" instead of just annoyed. I always refuse, pointing out that I've quoted my HH number, shown the credit card that I made the reservation with, shown up at the proper hotel, etc. What's most disturbing about this is that at one hotel that I have stayed at numerous times, they tried to tell me that this absurd check was standard procedure. I'd been there 5+ times prior without it. I HATE being lied to.

Ive had 6 stays with Hilton Garden Inn's these past few weeks. 5 at the same property.

They checked my id every single time. My HHonors # has been on each reservation.

Oh Well..... Nice Hotels, No Biggie

Every time they ask for an id, I am pleased - this lessens the chance of id theft.

Every time they ask for an id, I am pleased - this lessens the chance of id theft.

Doesn't it actually make the possibility of ID theft higher? My drivers license (or passport) has a number, birthdate, etc. If I don't show ID to a hotel check-in clerk then they have no access to these pieces of information. But by giving the hotel information like DL number and birthdate when they already have my credit card number that gives someone MORE ammunition to steal my identity.

The last time I tried to check-in to a hotel they not only wanted to see my ID but also type it into their computer. An absolute red flag. The check-in agent consulted with her colleague and backed down.

My preferred credit card has my signature embossed, and my photograph as well; it is usually quite sufficient as identification, and I feel having that viewed helps protect me. In some locations, my passport is also reviewed - and in one or two, is required and documented, as guest information must by law be reported to the police. Not anything I can do about that.

I do control the various number si hand out as much as I can - one cruise line requested our SSNs on our boarding documents - since they already had our passport data, a credit card and funds hold, etc. I told them they did not need my SSN and I declined to give them that information unless they could show me it was required in any conditions of carriage I had agreed to when I purchased the cruise or local law.

I have had one or two instances where someone tried charging rooms to me, and one instance when a card was run and someone charged about $3500 to my account at a Neiman Marcus and attempted to have it delivered to a confederate in Miami. In neither instance did they have more than my CC information, or less.

What is deplorable is how much information others can and will share on the flimsiest of excuses - totally beyond of our control. As bad, IMO, is that too many merchants will accept the most inane and ludicrous reasons to charge merchandise and services to you: someone once charged several thousand dollars to me via a mail order at Cabella's - Cabella's had them read information they secured from a check of mine, and called it an "electronic check purchase." (Likely, a check to pay a local utility for services they do not take credit cards for.) [/RANT]

But asking verification of who I am when I am about to use my credit card, I have no problem at all.

Checked in here on Thursday night. The bumbling desk clerk asked for my photo ID and credit card before he'd start checking me in. I noted that this was my third Hilton stay this week, and this was the only hotel that required photo ID.

The lady behind the desk next to him gave me a five minute lecture on why they were only doing this for my protection, preventing identity theft, yada yada yada. During her diatribe the gentleman continued checking me in, albeit it slowly, carefully checking my ID to my credit card and HH Diamond card.

When all was said and done, while still holding my credit card and ID in his hand, he said "Mr. Basinger, please review and sign this" and handed me the check in document.

I thought he was trying to make some kind of joke, as my name isn't Basinger. As it turns out, during his careful checking of my documents, he had actually checked me into someone else's room, and had to start the entire check-in procedure all over again.

Didn't give me much confidence in their ability to deter identity theft.

danville 1K

The Salt Lake City Airport Hilton has started asking for photo ID recently. When asked why, the answer given was to "make sure that it is your credit card". I pointed out that they were not allowed to ask for ID according to their merchant agreement. I was tired so rather than have the full argument I held a european driver's license at 8 feet from the check-in agent and said "there - photo ID". The card was gone from view too fast for anybody to get numbers from it. The check-in agent took the hint and checked me in. I can't say that this development will make me more likely to score this establishment as a "10", something that they seem very keen for me to do!

The reason I will not actually hand ID to a check-in agent is that I have seen some of them attempt to enter numbers from the card into the booking record.

Time to make a fake ID especially for hotel check-in it seems. :D

Time to make a fake ID especially for hotel check-in it seems. :D

There's always something useful to be acquired through the educated at universities near you. :D

I'm diamond and have been asked the last 3 times for photo ID. Must be something new, Boise Doubletree, Seattle Homewood, Settle ES.

The lady behind the desk next to him gave me a five minute lecture on why they were only doing this for my protection, preventing identity theft, yada yada yada. During her diatribe the gentleman continued checking me in, albeit it slowly, carefully checking my ID to my credit card and HH Diamond card.

When all was said and done, while still holding my credit card and ID in his hand, he said "Mr. Basinger, please review and sign this" and handed me the check in document.

I would have had a really tough time not giving the lady (and guy) a five minute lecture on why it was a waste of time, etc after an episode like that. :D

I do control the various number si hand out as much as I can - one cruise line requested our SSNs on our boarding documents - since they already had our passport data, a credit card and funds hold, etc. I told them they did not need my SSN and I declined to give them that information unless they could show me it was required in any conditions of carriage I had agreed to when I purchased the cruise or local law.

:eek: :eek: You should have given it to them, else you must have had something to hide!!

One time, about a year ago probably, I was checking into a hotel and was asked for photo ID. Upon checking me in, I noticed a surprised expression on the desk agent's face. When I asked him if something was wrong he just told me that he got "the scary red box" saying to call some kind of law enforcement agency because my name matched (or closely matched) a criminal's name in a most wanted database or something like that. He told me that there was no possible way that this could be me, so he continued the check-in process and gave me my keys. When I asked him about it he said that they import information into their system to help catch criminals, terrorists, and the like. He says that they are trained how to handle it but it was his first time ever seeing it in almost three years of working there. I commented that he didn't do a very good job of staying calm, and we both chuckled about it and I was on my way.

Interestingly enough, I travel frequently and have never had this happen to me prior to or after this incident at any hotel in that particular chain or otherwise. Maybe the front desk guy "cleared" my name out or something. I thought it was strange, but perhaps a good way to catch criminals.

Long story, short... I have no problem showing my ID to hotels. I have nothing to hide.

Last week, I checked into a Hilton. Paid stay, working on a "status run". It was a government rate.

The front desk person had all my data, but she asked for a photo ID. Not a government ID, just a photo ID. So, I showed her my passport and everything was fine.

Is this a new trend? It's the first time I've ever been asked for ID at check in that I can recall.

Usually when I get asked for a photo ID when I check into a hotel it's because a major university is near by (oh to be *that* young !)

Once in a while, I'll be at a govt. rate and they'll ask for a govt ID or even more rarely travel orders.

BOb H

Just my 2 cents--I stayed at 2 different Homewoods a couple of weekends ago. They ask if I've been there before (no) but never ask for photo ID. Also stayed at a Marriott brand last weekend and same deal. The only time I can recall ever being asked for ID was when my keycard failed at a Homewood and the GM asked for it--it was locked in the room, idiot! that's why I need a key to get in. I can think of several times I've either been locked out or left my keycard or some such and asked front desk for another and they give it without blinking an eye. If I were devious at all I could think up some great scam here. Unfortunately, I'm so law-and-order, and I can't even come up with a plausible scenario.

For all of those ranting about not wanting to show photo ID at check-in, don't dare go to Italy. The Hilton Sorrento Palace and the Cavelieri Hilton in Rome both requested photocopies of my passport and my GF's passport as part of the check-in process. At the Cavalieri, they will not grant internet access until they have another copy of your passport. They claim that the latter is a new Italian law to thwart terrorism.

They claim that the latter is a new Italian law to thwart terrorism.

True.

For all of those ranting about not wanting to show photo ID at check-in, don't dare go to Italy. The Hilton Sorrento Palace and the Cavelieri Hilton in Rome both requested photocopies of my passport and my GF's passport as part of the check-in process. At the Cavalieri, they will not grant internet access until they have another copy of your passport. They claim that the latter is a new Italian law to thwart terrorism.

This has been going on in Italy for at least three years (if not more); what is new is the asinine Italian law requiring that people be registered and have their ID details recorded in order to get on the internet in publicly-accessible locations. This includes airport lounge PCs. :(

This has been going on in Italy for at least three years (if not more); what is new is the asinine Italian law requiring that people be registered and have their ID details recorded in order to get on the internet in publicly-accessible locations. This includes airport lounge PCs. :(

Interesting! I guess Air France is in violation of this rule. I was able to log on the free web connected PCs in their lounge at FCO with no registration at all.

Interesting! I guess Air France is in violation of this rule. I was able to log on the free web connected PCs in their lounge at FCO with no registration at all.

I would not necessarily guess that. Air France might have done something to upgrade their software to keep track of possible users by just deciding to use the lounge check-in lists to try to satisfy the latest asinine dog-and-pony security show requirements. (Bigger haystacks, very few needles.) Alitalia seems to be content just taking out the PCs, esp at MXP.

BA has the PCs still too, but they were out for a bit too.