Hilton HHonors - Using a Family Member's Status

I've pretty much guessed the answer already, but have been recommended by a colleague to ask on here for advice.

I am a Gold VIP, and have been for almost five years now, but unfortunately due to company cutbacks, will not be requalifying this year. However, out of the blue last week, my father received a complimentary Gold card upgrade from Hilton (which I'm rather cheesed of at, as he's only ever been a Blue card, and only stayed once in the past three years!).

But my question, is am I able to use my father's Gold VIP card? What checks do Hilton make to ensure that I am the person named on the card? Is it to do with the name on the booking, or the name on the credit card used to make the reservation?

I hope someone out there can help me.

RollingStone :-:

I've pretty much guessed the answer already, but have been recommended by a colleague to ask on here for advice.

I am a Gold VIP, and have been for almost five years now, but unfortunately due to company cutbacks, will not be requalifying this year. However, out of the blue last week, my father received a complimentary Gold card upgrade from Hilton (which I'm rather cheesed of at, as he's only ever been a Blue card, and only stayed once in the past three years!).

But my question, is am I able to use my father's Gold VIP card? What checks do Hilton make to ensure that I am the person named on the card? Is it to do with the name on the booking, or the name on the credit card used to make the reservation?

I hope someone out there can help me.

RollingStone :-:

If you have the same name, it might be easy. Otherwise, I think it would probably be too difficult in the long run. You might be able to book the room online under his account for a double room, and check in. I have never done this, so the other experts here will have to help on that one.

Gold comps are pretty common, though. Many airlines give them out, that's how I got mine last year. I requalified a couple of months ago, and am trying to hit Diamond by the end of January.

I've done it once for my parents, using my father's name as the second guest. He didn't have to show my card, but received the benefits I would if I was there. We did it simply for status reasons - he's blue, and doesn't stay at one but once or twice a year, and while they typically stay at Hampton Inns, the only availability was at the HGI in the town. It made sense, based on the benefits, for them to use my number/card, etc. I was happy, as I received the points/stay credit, they received the free breakfast certs, which was their main concern.

From past experience, putting youself as the second person usually works.

I've done it once for my parents, using my father's name as the second guest. He didn't have to show my card, but received the benefits I would if I was there.

But what I'm need to find out is what checks Hilton make?

If I make a booking under my father's name (as he would be the one with status), do they crosscheck the name on my credit card with the name on the reservation?

Ifyou have the same last name, it's easier.

if...
Reservation made under;
Main Guest: Senior (Diamond)
Guest 2: Junior (Gold)

Junior checked-in alone, stayed without Senior being there at all time, and used Junior's own creditcard at check-out.

In this case, who gets the stay credit & points?

But what I'm need to find out is what checks Hilton make?

If I make a booking under my father's name (as he would be the one with status), do they crosscheck the name on my credit card with the name on the reservation?
They will ask you for ID when you check. You will show a picture ID and they will look at the name on it as well as the name on the reservation. So, your name will not match the name on the reservation. This should be clear to you! It will happen every time.

The other posters are giving you options that will get around the fact that your name does not match.

They will ask you for ID when you check. You will show a picture ID and they will look at the name on it as well as the name on the reservation. So, your name will not match the name on the reservation. This should be clear to you! It will happen every time.

The other posters are giving you options that will get around the fact that your name does not match.
Never been asked for a picture ID in literally hundreds of stays...with same last name, should not be an issue at all.

They will ask you for ID when you check. You will show a picture ID and they will look at the name on it as well as the name on the reservation. So, your name will not match the name on the reservation. This should be clear to you! It will happen every time.

The other posters are giving you options that will get around the fact that your name does not match.

Well they cant say we didnt warn them can they?.
I too have stayed " hundreds of times" I have been asked to show an ID perhaps twelve to fifteen times.
Just needs to happen once doesnt it? You might even be unlucky to run into a hard-a** desk clerk who may call the cops :rolleyes:

mike

Well they cant say we didnt warn them can they?.
I too have stayed " hundreds of times" I have been asked to show an ID perhaps twelve to fifteen times.
Just needs to happen once doesnt it? You might even be unlucky to run into a hard-a** desk clerk who may call the cops :rolleyes:

mike
LOL...calling the cops. A bit dramatic, eh? Most desk clerks hardly care if you're breathing when you check in, much less compare first names when the last name is the same. Guess I should have a bail bondsman handy next time I travel.

I agree. I have never been asked for ID at any domestic hotel chain.

The hotel is getting what it wants with the reservtion and revenue. That is the object of the status cards....to get someone to make a reservation, check-in and pay the bill.
I am sure that Hilton would frown on the practice...but since it is not widespread...what do they really lose. Why go to a lot of trouble to police such a thing. They can only upset a customer with an ugly scene. :eek:

I agree. I have never been asked for ID at any domestic hotel chain.

The hotel is getting what it wants with the reservtion and revenue. That is the object of the status cards....to get someone to make a reservation, check-in and pay the bill.
They can only upset a customer with an ugly scene. :eek:

Could be you might not have stayed at enough hotels to be definate :)

So you do this with your airlines card too? Right ? Uh OK

Plus you would make an ugly scene when caught doing something against rules?
Offhand I would have to say thats just the customer any business would be drooling over :rolleyes:
mike

Could be you might not have stayed at enough hotels to be definate :)
....Snip....

mike

I am sure you are much more experienced than most of us. :rolleyes:
How many stays do you think I would have to have to be
"definate (sic)" ? :confused:

I did not infer that the customer would make a scene...only that the gotcha scene at check-in would be uncomfortable.

The hotel still gets the business which is what they issued the card for.

My advice was to make a reservation using both names, and listing two people for the room. If questioned, say that the other perosn will be arriving later that evening, and you're checking in right then. Also state that you'll be covering the room cost. Just make sure the room reservation shows two people in the room.

As far as points, I would guess that if you want the benefits that come with status, that account would get the points/credit. I would not try to get the points on the other account.

The other option you have is to call Hilton and ask for a fast track of some sort.

As far as other names on reservations, I've made reservations in my husband's name and checked in without a problem, he's checked in using reservations under my name. Nothing's been said about names not matching.

My advice was to make a reservation using both names, and listing two people for the room.

I am not sure how this situation would/could be covered by the "spouse stays free" rule ... but be aware that having two people in a room (even a phantom second person) may cost more. THis is certainly the case in Europe.

I am not sure how this situation would/could be covered by the "spouse stays free" rule ... but be aware that having two people in a room (even a phantom second person) may cost more. THis is certainly the case in Europe.

The OP would need to be aware of that, and determine if it's worth the benefits he's hoping to gain by using the other person's status.

My brother who rarely travels has the same last name and first initial than I. I just make sure that all my travel related accounts don't have my full first name but only my first initial just in case if I want him to use some of my rewards.