Group and Event Travel Planning - Hilton HHonors Points for Meetings, Groups and Event Planning: The Definitive Thread

I know Hilton doesn't give points for stays on a group contract (room billed to a "master account"). But if I have incidental charges during a stay that I pay myself, will I get credit for the stay?

I am organizing a meeting at a Hampton Inn, and trying to figure how to maximize points. The stingy hotel is not offering any HH incentive for planning the event. I've got a conference room and 15 overnight rooms. Any ideas? HEre are mine:

1. I was going to charge any expenses on my HH AMEX for the points.

2. Trying to figure if I would get HH points for the rooms (i.e the 10points per $1 spent).

3. Does master billing allow me to maximize my points and let me get credit for ERWDC promo?

Any thoughts? Both the hotel and HH CSR have been no help!

GYK -- Check this:

http://www.hilton.com/en/hhonors/points/eventplanner.jhtml

HHonors members who hold qualifying events at participating HHonors hotels can earn one HHonors bonus point and one airline mile for every eligible U.S. dollar spent on guest rooms and meeting room rental.

Thanks for the link. I actually saw this before. If you look at he fine-print, it also says that this is individually negotiated with each hotel. Unfortunately, this hampton Inn does not award HH for the meeting planner (this my frustration), and my desire to figure a creative way to mazimize my points.

I've arranged to have an evening work meeting for about 45 people at a Conrad property in Europe. When booking I told the hotel that I wanted HHonors points, they took my number and nothing else was mentioned.

How do the points work - I estimate that room rental, bar service and buffet dinner will be about $3000. Will I get 30000 points for the booking, or do I have to negotiate this with the hotel?

[This message has been edited by buddman (edited 02-21-2002).]

I am having my wedding at a hilton in the U.S. My experience was you have to negotiate this. We negotiated a favorable room rate for our guests, and for those guests who do not have their own HH number we get their points. Plus points for the money we actually spend on food, etc. The only draw back is no double dip for money spent by people other than ourselves. on top of that, I am using my hilton credit card so I expect to get additional points.

After thinking about how much we would spend and how many guest rooms we reserved, I called HH Services and requested that they bump me to Gold which they did.

I am a Diamond.

I'm staying at the Back Bay Hilton in Boston 7/26-28 with a group of 30 co-workers and clients. My reservation was done by the TA coordinating our group.

I called the Diamond service center who wouldn't (couldn't?) enter my diamond number on my reservation, though it clearly showed on their system. I called the hotel directly and they were able to add it.

The Diamond service center told me, "no points, no miles, no stay credit, no recognition, no benefits" on a paid group stay. The hotel didn't really have an answer other than to say "we've added your number to your reservation".

What should I expect? Stay credit? Points? Miles? A big fat nothing?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by UpgradeMe:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/003687.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/003347.html</font>

OK.....thanks for the links. Now for anyone who likes to talk.......I get the part about direct vs. indirect billing.

But doesn't Hilton want to every RECOGNIZE its Diamonds staying in its hotels? It's not like I'm on a free stay. I found it very confusing that the Diamond service center CAN'T add any type of status recognition to a record.

shinbal -- I'm not sure if that's applicable to your situation, but sometimes travel planners (especially when arranging conferences, etc.) negotiate with the hotels (not just Hiltons) that no upgrades are to be given.

Also, you've made a comment about not being on a free stay. Actually, you would have been eligible to all Diamond benefits (upgrade, free breakfast, etc.) if you were staying on an award.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Eugene:
shinbal -- I'm not sure if that's applicable to your situation, but sometimes travel planners (especially when arranging conferences, etc.) negotiate with the hotels (not just Hiltons) that no upgrades are to be given.

Also, you've made a comment about not being on a free stay. Actually, you would have been eligible to all Diamond benefits (upgrade, free breakfast, etc.) if you were staying on an award.</font>

Thanks, Eugene for your input. I'd forgotten that point and actually called the hotel again. Where the service center was unable to put my number in, the hotel did step up. The lady said that they always want to recognize their Diamonds and that I can be assured of benefits.
Thanks for your thoughts.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by shinbal:
Where the service center was unable to put my number in, the hotel did step up.</font>

FWIW, I've had a similar situation before with another chain. Since my reservation was made directly with the hotel, central reservation center was able to see that reservation, but had no ability to alter it in any way, like putting my FF number in). Unfortunately, compatibility between central and in-house reservation systems is not as complete as we all wish.

One of the reasons that there are 'no rewards' group bookings is because the administrator/coordinator is getting rewarded for MAKING the reservation and you are now a captive audience.

Apparently, these programs can be very lucrative for the admins!

PLEASE, help, this is getting RIDICULOUS! NO ONE at any of the full service Hiltons I have booked groups in OR at the Hhonors 800 number seems to know the policy for points when you book a group of rooms! A couple of years ago, you had to agree upon a number of points and have that written into the contract. Now, from my understanding, you are given point based on total amount spent for rooms, but NO ONE seems to know how to calculate this! I had 8 rooms at Hilton Niagra Falls, and got 50 points for a $7.00 tip I left at breakfast!! AND THAT WAS IT!! I have called the person in sales I booked the rooms with and she is trying to investigate this, but again, NO ONE she talks with at HHonors has any answers!!! Please, I need help with this, since I take groups to Hiltons and Hampton Inns quite a bit. If anyone knows anything about how group points work, please tell me. I am a Gold member with 156,000 total points now. In Niagra, we had 8 rooms for 2 nights and total bill in US dollars was around $1400. Very nice property and fabulous restaraunt, breakfast was free for me and those in my room and was GREAT!

When you checkout, have them transfer the charges from each room to one of the rooms that is in your name with your HHonors number associated with it.

If you get all of the charges on to one folio, then you won't have a problem getting credit for all rooms.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by skippythelizard:
If you get all of the charges on to one folio, then you won't have a problem getting credit for all rooms.</font>

Sorry, but that's incorrect. You can get credit for no more than 2 rooms. For more information see http://www.hilton.com/en/hhonors/terms.jhtml#Accrual .

marchdisney -- you may want to consider joining the Hilton Event Planner Program, but make sure you do a comparative analysis of your earning potential.

For more information see http://www.hilton.com/en/hhonors/points/eventplanner.jhtml

Eugene,

Maybe by the rules you're not supposed to get credit for more than two rooms ... but in practice you WILL ... as long as the charges for all of the different rooms get transferred onto one room's bill.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by skippythelizard:
Eugene,

Maybe by the rules you're not supposed to get credit for more than two rooms ... but in practice you WILL ... as long as the charges for all of the different rooms get transferred onto one room's bill.</font>

Are you talking about incidentals or room rate? If you get credit for more than 2 rooms, it was a fluke. Do consider yourself lucky, it is not supposed to happen, and it doesn't happen in the overwhelming majority of cases. Don't count on it happening.

If you pay the hotel at checkout for your room,you should get your credit.Even if part of a group. If your room is being paid on a seperate portfolio,you don't (you may luck out,but don't expect it).

I'm talking about the room rate (and incidentals). When the other room charges are transferred over to your room, they essentially appear as incidentals on your folio.

Come to think of it, I've only ever done more than 2 rooms this way on international stays (UK, Oz, Belgium) ... so maybe the amount of detail transferred back to HHonors is different.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by skippythelizard:
When the other room charges are transferred over to your room, they essentially appear as incidentals on your folio.</font>

Not in my experience. I've charged three rooms to my folio twice (last year, both in the US), and the other room charges showed on my folio as the other room charges (showing the other room numbers, etc), not as incidentals. I've received point credit just for two rooms in both cases.

I am planning a meeting at a double tree property. I am only using the overnight rooms ( no meeting room / no catering ) I can get a better rate thru the direct hotels groups sales department but then i only get $ 1 per dollar spent on the total meeting in points. If i book the rooms myself on the internet and pay for the rooms on my credit card i can get 10 points per room. if i book each one as a seperate reservation will i get all of the points in terms of nights and point credit or will it be capped off ???

help ??

Hello! First time on this web-board. Question: Has anyone had any experience with Event planner bonuses at Hilton Hotels? For example, I had an event in North Dakota at one of the Hilton Hotel brands and spent over 2K at one hotel and 1.5 K at another. I elect to have Southwest as my partner airline and accoring to the rules, I am supposed to get $1=1mile and $1 = 1 hilton point. As it turned out I was given my points and was given 1 credit Southwest Airlines for one event and 1.5 credits for another event. I started to think that 2000 miles on an airline is probably better than 1.5 credits on SW? I could stay at 2 Hiltons for less than $99 ngt and get the same SW credit (.5 credit per stay).Anyone have any thoughts on this? Is the SW credit transfer not the best??

This year I rented sleeping rooms as well as meeting rooms five times at the Hilton Tucson. Are HH Points given for Meeting room rentals. To date none have been posted.
Thanks.

------------------
SB

You have to arrange for it ahead of time, under the meeting planner program. You get 1 point and 1 mile per dollar spent.

All the details are readily available on the Hilton website:
http://www.hilton.com/en/hhonors/points/meeting.jhtml

I am a meetting planner and can tell you that this has to be added to your contract before the event. Speak with your account rep at the hotel directly, sometimes they can make exceptions.

I set up 2 months of reservations for ~10 people 3 nights/week for 2 months at a Hilton. As the organizer of this, are there any additional HH points that should go along with this?
I am not a travel agent or anything like that, but have seen the bonuses for meeting organizers. not sure what, if anything, I might qualify for?

Thanks

From http://www.hilton.com/en/hhonors/points/meeting.jhtml

"Event Planner bonus points and airline miles must be agreed in advance with the hotel and stipulated in the event contract. Other restrictions apply.

Please note that hotel participation varies and that specific arrangements for the event and approval of bonus points and airline miles must be made in advance. The event must be held and paid for to receive the bonus."

For more information, contact Hilton Direct®,our Event Planner specialists, at 1-800-321-3232" or http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/

From HH T&C, under Event Planner US:

"1. Only the individual stipulated in the contract is eligible to receive Event Planner bonus points and airline miles.

2. Offer is valid for new event bookings only.

6. The Event Planner bonus is available to travel agents/travel sellers booking a qualifying event."

What's the difference between travel 'agent' and 'seller'?

Does anyone know how to earn points for planning meetings/functions at Hilton Resorts? I know all I have to do is give them my HHonors # and use a credit card in my name but I'm not sure how many points I can earn. Is it a flat fee or do you earn so many points per dollar? I'm just a silver card.

Thanks for taking the time to answer!

My spouse has received a meeting bonus twice, but I can't ascertain how the points are calculated. Her room charges and the number of meeting attendees were nearly identical in both instances, but the meetings points were very different. It's not a lot of points. The last one that posted was just over 12K points. She did, however, win two free nights at the Hilton property in a raffle held at the conference. ^

Oh, another thing, in neither case did my spouse personally pay for the meeting facilities, which were paid for by the sponsoring organization (treasurer wrote a check for charges). Yet she still got the meeting bonuses for arranging the facilities with the hotel. YMMV.

The meeting planner scheme in Europe is the following :
as an organizer, you may receive 5,000 points per "night" booked.
The "night" concept equals to 10 rooms or more booked for the same night...

I would think you have to register for "meeting planner award" first when you book your meeting.

The meeting planner scheme in Europe is the following :
as an organizer, you may receive 5,000 points per "night" booked.
The "night" concept equals to 10 rooms or more booked for the same night...

I would think you have to register for "meeting planner award" first when you book your meeting.

In my wife's case, conference ran four nights and I think there were over 200 attendees, so lots of rooms were booked. She received an event planner bonus of 12,541 points, which doesn't seem to equate to a tidy per-night rate (unless maybe 3000 per night and the difference some other qualifying expenses?). This is a US Hilton, so bonus algorithm must differ from Europe.

This is an extract from Hilton web site :


1) For the US-held meetings :

"Now, holding a qualifying event at participating HHonors hotels in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean can be even more rewarding.
HHonors members who hold qualifying events at participating HHonors hotels can earn one HHonors bonus point and one airline mile for every eligible U.S. dollar spent on guest rooms and meeting room rental.

For example, if you had US $5,000 in eligible charges, you would earn 5,000 HHonors points and 5,000 airline miles with your choice of any one of 12 participating airline partner programs. You'll be on your way to free travel in no time!

Available in the U.S., Canada and Caribbean, the Hilton HHonors Event Planner program is the only hotel event planner program that lets you earn both HHonors points and airline miles for the same qualifying event.

You must be a member of the Hilton HHonors guest reward program to earn both Points & Miles®.

Event Planner bonus points and airline miles must be agreed in advance with the hotel and stipulated in the event contract. Other restrictions apply.

Please note that hotel participation varies and that specific arrangements for the event and approval of bonus points and airline miles must be made in advance. The event must be held and paid for to receive the bonus. "



2) Conditions for Europe-held meetings (still from the same Hilton site)


"Hold a qualifying event at a participating HHonors hotel which includes a minimum of 10 or more occupied guest rooms, and you'll earn 5,000 HHonors points and 500 airline miles (or equivalent*) per qualifying night**. Choose from over 60 airline partners worldwide.

For example, if you hold a meeting that includes 2 nights with 10 or more occupied guest rooms each night, you will earn 10,000 HHonors points and 1,000 miles. And with free nights starting at just 20,000 HHonors points at many hotels in Europe, you can see how quickly you can earn free trips. "



Hopes this helps.

Aloha all,

I moved the meetings that I plan and attend regularly (average 50 hotel nights per meeting) from Starwood to Hilton last year due to some problems with Starwood. Starwood used to give me Platinum status because of the room nights and meetings I booked.

I called Hilton and asked if they had any such program since all the hotel nights are paid for using a master bill under my account. I was surprised when the customer service rep told me that they don't have any such program.

Anyone else have experience getting Hilton Gold/Diamond via event/meeting planning?

Mahalo!!

TF :cool:

Starwood's sales staffs use status and points as one of their selling points. I have not had any luck with Hilton properties in getting points,nights or stays credit for mor than one additional room.
I think that I've received targeted promos from specific hotels that offered points for group meetings.
Generally, the hotel you negotiate with can offer you bonus points. It depends on how much they want your business.

TropicalFlyer-I think this is what you are looking for:

http://hhonors.hilton.com/en/hhonors/points/meeting.jhtml

The key there is :"Event Planner bonus points and airline miles must be agreed in advance with the hotel"
It's all about how bad they want your business at the rate you desire.

I've done event/meeting planning for over 10 years - unfortunately - too many cities and brands as a function of the space and availability for my events.

However - I always put into the sales contract a pre-defined quantity or formula for points credited to my account as the "event planner" once the meeting or event is over and the master bill has been paid.

That is how I've gotten Marriott, SPG & HHonors points - even AdamsMark Dollars even though that chain keeps shrinking.

Shy of that - even when booking "overflow rooms" - I always ask for points since "I facilitated the extra business" and usually have no probem and a lump sum (referral bonus of sorts) gets credit - 10,000 or so hhonors points generally.

Never hurts to ask however, I specifically asked about a comp highest Marriott status when I was negotiating and was told "no can do" but it goes back to the property, the amount of revenue on the line and so forth.

Hi, I am booking a trip for a group of 50 (25 rooms) in the near future and we have always used a hotel that is part of another chain. This chain does not have a frequent stay program, in that you do not earn points nor can you earn a free stay. We do get one free room during our stay which the group allow me to use for my time a effort that it takes to arrange the trip.

This is an annual bus trip and we like the hotel (has an in door pool and we get a full buffet breakfast each day). I make all the arrangements for the group, collect the money and pay for the stay with a cashier's check.

Now that I am a Hilton Honors member, I thought perhaps I could book the group into an Embassy Suite or Homewood Suite property. When I called the 800 number to get a price, the reservation agent was not sure if I could receive the HH points or not. She told me that it was up to the individual hotel. When I asked if I could call the hotel direct she told me that they will just transfer me back to the group department.

Does that sound right? Is it up to the individual hotel? Should I call the hotel direct and ask them? If I can't get the HH points, then I won't try to change hotels since we have been going to this hotel for the past 5 years and we get a nice group rate.

Thanks for your input

With Hilton's Event Planner Program I believe you can earn one HH point and one airline mile for each dollar spent on meeting space and guest rooms. I'm not sure if you will be needing meeting room space and if using meeting space is a qualification to earn the planner points in the first place (instead of just rooms).

As for earning the standard 10 points per dollar on room nights... that is only valid for up to two rooms per stay. That rule is not at the hotel discretion, that's a T/C for HHonors worldwide.

Hope this helps. I would suggest calling customer service (800-548-8690) for more official info.

And may I ask what "chain" doesn't have a frequent stay program?!? :eek: :confused:

Try this link for Groups, Events & Meetings for details. Watch out for "participation varies" "stipulated in the event contract" etc.
http://hhonors.hilton.com/en/hhonors/points/meeting.jhtml

Check this forum for reviews of your HHonors hotel before you move 50 folks from the indoor pool & b'fast buffet just for a few points.

Hi, I am booking a trip for a group of 50 (25 rooms) in the near future and we have always used a hotel that is part of another chain. This chain does not have a frequent stay program, in that you do not earn points nor can you earn a free stay. We do get one free room during our stay which the group allow me to use for my time a effort that it takes to arrange the trip.

This is an annual bus trip and we like the hotel (has an in door pool and we get a full buffet breakfast each day). I make all the arrangements for the group, collect the money and pay for the stay with a cashier's check.

Now that I am a Hilton Honors member, I thought perhaps I could book the group into an Embassy Suite or Homewood Suite property. When I called the 800 number to get a price, the reservation agent was not sure if I could receive the HH points or not. She told me that it was up to the individual hotel. When I asked if I could call the hotel direct she told me that they will just transfer me back to the group department.

Does that sound right? Is it up to the individual hotel? Should I call the hotel direct and ask them? If I can't get the HH points, then I won't try to change hotels since we have been going to this hotel for the past 5 years and we get a nice group rate.

Thanks for your input

I could be wrong, but I think you can only get points for up to 2 rooms. However, you can get extra points from the HH Event Planner Program (http://hhonors.hilton.com/en/hhonors/points/eventplanner.jhtml). The best way for you I think it to contact the hotel directly, and see how many points they are willing to fork over as an incentive for you the ship the business to them.

As stated by tgw above, the HHonors rules state:
Credit for up to two rooms per stay: You may earn Base point credit for up
to two rooms per stay, if all eligible charges for both rooms are paid on one
folio. Base point credit will be earned for all eligible folio charges incurred on
both rooms. Bonuses issued on Base points or total folio charges, including tier
bonuses (15%, 25% or 50%, depending on member tier) and double or triple
Base point promotions, will apply to the total Base point credit earned or folio
charges incurred for both rooms.

You may be able to come to some agreement about additional points by ringing the hotel direct since 25 rooms is obviously a big benefit to the hotel, but I'm not sure how far hotel managers are allowed to bend the rules. It's worth a try.

My experience is that everything is negotiable re points earned. But you have to do so directly with the hotel manager or sales manager. And make very, very sure that all point agreements are in writing on the contract; make no assumptions.

Thanks for all the info, I am new to this frequent stay thing with the hotels, more aware of the rules of the airline frequent flyer programs. We have been staying at the Wyndham Hotel and I joined their program about 2 years ago and I asked at the time if I could get a free stay but they told me no. After reading the helpful info on this board, I called today and NOW they tell me I can get credit with either an airline or American Express. The agent also told me that if I kept the reservation in my name then I could get credit (500 points per room) for the entire group. I don't see that happening since we need to have each individual person's name in the booking as to know their room number.

thank god for these!! i just had a skotch (sp) more than 100K points added to my HH account for my group this past February...1 point per dollar spent,no airline points, PLUS my regular base + silver bonus for the 2 rooms on my folio.....4 more stays before the end of july and I am back to gold again - wheeeee :-D

marriott tends to also be generous to meeting planners...crowne plaza, not so much, but he did throw in my room comp,

so i have all these frigging hotel points, and puh-lenty o' mileage....and no time to GO anywhere...whattza girl to do?

ITTIA

Don't book a large amount of rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn in Garden Grove, CA. I did and was promised points, but now they will not honor their word. Before you ask, no I didn't get it on the contract in fact I didn't even think about it. The salesman said that since I booked a number of rooms he would give me 5000 points within 2 weeks after we checked out.

Beware of them!!

Steven

Don't book a large amount of rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn in Garden Grove, CA. I did and was promised points, but now they will not honor their word. Before you ask, no I didn't get it on the contract in fact I didn't even think about it. The salesman said that since I booked a number of rooms he would give me 5000 points within 2 weeks after we checked out.

Beware of them!!

Steven
The Hyatt in GG is pretty honorable about the meeting planner bonus.

If you do this on a regular basis, I would suggest you avoid Hilton properties, as their meeting planner bonus is weak. I use Marriott properties when the price is equivelent because they give you platinum status after just seven meetings!

Welcome to FT!

One thing you might check is HHonors' Event Planner program (U.S., Canada and Caribbean.) I am not familiar with it, but perhaps it has some more formal benefits for you than a hotel salesman who reneges on his promise - which I would report in writing to the GM, as this very likely loses the hotel business in the long run, even if the salesperson's numbers looks good this month.

I book all my business travel through a corporate website. I normally reserve leisure rooms online at Hilton.com. I need to reserve 6 rooms for 2 nights (fri-sat) for a wedding in 4 weeks. I see the website only goes up to 4. I also wonder if I can get a better rate than the AAA rate. Who do I call at the property? Do I need to make sure I get HH points when I negotiate a rate or is that a given (I'll be paying for a minimum of 2 rooms, a maximum of 4 if I'm feeling generous). FYI, it's a Hampton Inn.

IIRC, you'll get points for up to two rooms if you're paying for both. You'll want to call and ask for the sales department. Depending on the AAA discount, you may get a better rate going through them, since you'll be booking 6 rooms. You can also click on the Groups and Meetings link at the top of the page, and then click on Guest Rooms Only. This will allow you to select the hotel of your choice, and prepare an RFP to submit.

I book all my business travel through a corporate website. I normally reserve leisure rooms online at Hilton.com. I need to reserve 6 rooms for 2 nights (fri-sat) for a wedding in 4 weeks. I see the website only goes up to 4. I also wonder if I can get a better rate than the AAA rate. Who do I call at the property? Do I need to make sure I get HH points when I negotiate a rate or is that a given (I'll be paying for a minimum of 2 rooms, a maximum of 4 if I'm feeling generous). FYI, it's a Hampton Inn.

I had to book rooms for a funeral in January. I found that the group sales people at most of the hilton properties I talked to are only interested in groups of 10 or more room nights. Sounds like you have 12 room nights, so you can probably get a group rate. Unfortunately, my experience only netted a 10% discount (similar to the AAA rate, but for eveyone, not just the AAA members). They did throw in the choice of King or 2 beds at the same rate. Calling the property you are interested in directly will net the best results. I think they will deal on room rates more if you are booking rooms and food along with it. Once you sign a contract, they will give you a code for people to use online to get the group rate and a way for you to track who is reserving rooms online.

I had to book rooms for a funeral in January. I found that the group sales people at most of the hilton properties I talked to are only interested in groups of 10 or more room nights. Sounds like you have 12 room nights, so you can probably get a group rate. Unfortunately, my experience only netted a 10% discount (similar to the AAA rate, but for eveyone, not just the AAA members). They did throw in the choice of King or 2 beds at the same rate. Calling the property you are interested in directly will net the best results. I think they will deal on room rates more if you are booking rooms and food along with it. Once you sign a contract, they will give you a code for people to use online to get the group rate and a way for you to track who is reserving rooms online.

Well, I'll take 10%, since I know at least 1 guest who will not qualify for AAA or AARP rates. I figured I'd just guarantee all 6 rooms X 2 nights with my credit card and let them check in individually as they arrive since they are originating from at least 4 different places. As I said, I'm not paying for all the rooms, just 2-4 of them.

No food or drink served at the Hampton, I'll guess. Too bad. The bride's family is giving a reception at the church which has strict rules or beliefs about alcoholic beverage consumption. I have deferred to their beliefs and am hosting a dry rehearsal dinner (the groom is my oldest son) and I am planning to host an after-reception boozefest. I am familiar with the Hampton and it is next door to a Radisson (I've stayed at both) with a decent lobby bar. We will close it I'm sure. I was thinking of inquiring about appetizer trays. We'll only be walking across a parking lot to get to bed, but I hate everyone drinking without a late night food option.

http://hhonors.hilton.com/en/hhonors/points/meeting.jhtml

Thank you all. I called the hotel direct and spoke with someone in the Sales Dept. She offered me a Wedding rate. It was $1-5 cheaper than AAA depending on King or Double. She took my HH# and told me I could get points on up to 2 rooms. When I gave her the number from memory, she remarked that I must be a Diamond. We'll see if that means anything when we arrive.

Now to arrange the Rehearsal dinner.

I hold about 15 seminars a year and try to stick with the Hilton brand hotels. My second choice is the Holiday Inn Brand and then Marriot.

On occasion, I will have two quotes at comparable properties that are side by side. The other brand will give me the meeeting facilities for less than the Hilton. How can I use by Gold Status to get the Hilton property to match?

Some recent examples:

Silver Spring MD - the Hilton and Crown Plaza are 3 blocks a part and the Crown Plaza gave me the package for 100$ less, but the Hilton refused to match, despite availability.

New York
Doubletree Metropolitan vs Crown Plaza United Nations
2000$ minumum charge for a small boardroom at the Doubletree vs 1200$ for the same at the Crown Plaza PLUS reduced sleeping room rates. The Doubletree staff stated that only a food and beverage tab will reduce the room rate.

Any thoughts?

I think that you are expecting too much from your GOLD membership of Honors.

The HHonors program is a Hilton Corporate loyalty program, while room rates and prices for meeting room are a purely local matter. While there is no harm in asking the hotel to match competitive prices, I suggest that you do not expect much help/understanding from the HHonors staff.

Whenever Marriott and Hilton properties are even you should choose Marriott for one simple reason: 7 meetings = Platnium Status! However, don't expect that to count in your negotiations, as Gold with HH or Plat with MR means zilch to the hotel sales folks. Sorry...

In general, I've found group sales to be tightning meeting room inventory and much less likely to negotiate lately... Perhaps you should contact a national sales director for one of the chains and try to book all your venues with one brand. They'll be more agreeable to negotiating if you agree to an exclusive provider...

Lastly, several third-party negotiators are better connected than you are in the industry. They will have better sucess at negotiating discounts as they represent lots of folks like you, which means group purchasing power. PM me if you want a reccomendation...

Thanks for the info about the Marriot. My meetings are more rolling inservices for people already in the area vs those that travel to the meeting. In a year, I may have 2-5 people actually need a room. Marriots requirements for the meetings (10 rooms or a catered event) wouldn't work too well for me.

When I tell the sales staff that I am a HH Gold, they will usually cut the rate on my sleeping room which is a nice perk since I pay for these things myself.

I like the idea of a national sales agent or the third party. It is really time consuming to call each of the facilities.

I'm sure this has been answered in the past in this forum, but the search function seems to be down right now. :(

I have to book about 10 rooms in NYC, Boston, and DC for one Saturday night each this coming January for a group of students that I will have here in the states on an academic program. I / my company will be paying for all of the rooms. Can I earn HHonors points / qualifying nights / stays for all of the rooms? I don't yet know the program participants names and would need to book them all under my name and pay for them myself anyway. Also, I will be occupying one of the rooms myself each night.

Does the Hilton Group have any policies about students/minors (aged 15-17) occupying rooms without an adult in the room? Would I be able to request the minibar be locked/emptied in those rooms prior to arrival? I know some hotels simply don't allow children in rooms without an adult at all.

I'm hopeful I can figure out a way to get points for 30+ rooms that I'll be paying for...

Thanks!

peace,
~Ben~

No. But, wait... there may be other possibilities, such as "Event Planner" options.

Try reviewing HHonors Terms and Conditions (http://hhonors.hilton.com/en/hhonors/terms.jhtml). :)

You can always cut a deal with the sales office.

I'm not sure what you might be able to get through the Event Planner feature, but you can try the sales managers at each hotel. They're who you'll want to talk to as far as details anyway. You'll want to explain the minibar/minor without an adult in the room situation, and they should be able to answer questions.

I searched the Hilton site and couldn't find a clear answer. I am gold, and if I book the rooms for the group in my name, do all rooms get the possible gold benefits and do I earn points for all rooms? I know it doesn't work for the airlines, but not sure about hotels...never been in this situation before.
Thanks!

Welcome to the Hilton HHonors Forum!

It doesn't work that way at Hilton either. You CAN receive the points for TWO rooms, if they are on the same folio, but you will receive night / stay credit only for yourself. You will receive available Gold benefits for yourself and whoever shares your room, but probably not everyone else.

Good stuff to look over and be familiar with:
HHonors® Terms & Conditions (http://hhonors.hilton.com/en/hhonors/terms.jhtml)

About a year and a half ago my extended family spent four nights at the Hilton in Sedona, all paid for by my generous father who at that time was HH gold (he became diamond in March, 2007). The hotel treated all of us very well. We had a total of six rooms and they gave everyone (including families of 4 in two of the rooms) coupons every day for free continental breakfast in the restaurant. The reservations were for four regular rooms and one suite; they upgraded two of us to suites, giving us a total of three suites and two regular rooms (of course I'm the youngest, so my husband and I got the regular room and my big sister got the suite - ha!) I know they did not have to do it under the Hilton Honors rules, but they were almost full and I was really impressed with the upgrades. It was good PR for Hilton Honors, because we actually seek out hilton properties to maximize points and upgrades for family trips after that positive experience. Dad only got points for two rooms and credit for one stay, consistent with the rules.

I'm not sure how big your group is but I would advise you to call the hotel and speak with the sales manager. You can attempt to negotiate whatever you might desire.

Hello, I am fairly new to the Hilton HHonors and have a question.

At my business, we hold 2-day workshops at a local Hilton a couple of times per month. After catering and room rental fees, we spend about $1500.00 for 2 days. With all this going on, can this be applied to a HHonors account? Someone told me that they can work HHonors points into the room/catering contract. Also, can points be applied retroactively with the fact that we have spent well over $10000.00 with the Hilton.

I was just wondering if anyone has earned points this way before and how many points they have earned. Charging the bill to a Hilton Amex isn't in the question because our business doesn't have this card.

Thank you.

Yes, you can get points.

It HAS to be upfront in the contract though.

Everything is negotiable.

Hello, I am fairly new to the Hilton HHonors and have a question.

At my business, we hold 2-day workshops at a local Hilton a couple of times per month. After catering and room rental fees, we spend about $1500.00 for 2 days. With all this going on, can this be applied to a HHonors account? Someone told me that they can work HHonors points into the room/catering contract. Also, can points be applied retroactively with the fact that we have spent well over $10000.00 with the Hilton.

I was just wondering if anyone has earned points this way before and how many points they have earned. Charging the bill to a Hilton Amex isn't in the question because our business doesn't have this card.

Thank you.

Great thank you.

Now, when discussing the points per event, what is a good rate to accept.
For example, should I use the 1 dollar = 10 HH? ($1,500=15,000 points).

Thanks again

Can you get HHonors points for meetings? I am planning a couple of events, and if everything else is equal, I wouldn't mind getting points off of a $2500 meeting room bill.

Can you get HHonors points for meetings? I am planning a couple of events, and if everything else is equal, I wouldn't mind getting points off of a $2500 meeting room bill.


http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=523540&highlight=meetings
http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/about/meetings.do

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=523540&highlight=meetings
http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/about/meetings.doWho put that there? :p

I recently stayed at the Hilton San Francisco for five nights and my total bill was around $1500 but I did not receive Hilton Honor Points. When I called the Diamond Desk today they said I did not receive the points since I got a special meeting rate from the room directly from the hotel.

I did book this through the hotel meetings department (my company used the hotel for a convention earlier this year), and I did receive a beautiful upgraded suite and a fruit/cheese tray soon after arrival.

That said, i was really counting on the Honors points. Am I a pig or obnoxious if I call my contact and try to get Honors points for this stay?

I recently stayed at the Hilton San Francisco for five nights and my total bill was around $1500 but I did not receive Hilton Honor Points. When I called the Diamond Desk today they said I did not receive the points since I got a special meeting rate from the room directly from the hotel.

I did book this through the hotel meetings department (my company used the hotel for a convention earlier this year), and I did receive a beautiful upgraded suite and a fruit/cheese tray soon after arrival.

That said, i was really counting on the Honors points. Am I a pig or obnoxious if I call my contact and try to get Honors points for this stay?

You answered your own question. If you look at the Hilton T&C you'll see you are not entitled to points. IIRC, the only way for you to have received points is to have negotiated that into the contract.

You got the benefits which in some cases people don't get. If you really wanted points, you should have booked a eligible rate. Be happy with what you've already received.

This has been discussed here on FT before, you might want to look at other threads.

Pig? :eek: :confused: As a FlyerTalker, it is incumbent on you to make that call. ;) They might say no, but they even have meeting / event arranger rates, so it could pay to find out if you can score. Good luck!

I recently stayed at the Hilton San Francisco for five nights and my total bill was around $1500 but I did not receive Hilton Honor Points. When I called the Diamond Desk today they said I did not receive the points since I got a special meeting rate from the room directly from the hotel.

I did book this through the hotel meetings department (my company used the hotel for a convention earlier this year), and I did receive a beautiful upgraded suite and a fruit/cheese tray soon after arrival.

That said, i was really counting on the Honors points. Am I a pig or obnoxious if I call my contact and try to get Honors points for this stay?

worth a follow up - why not?

Call the sales rep/your contact in the meetings department & ask them to get the points processed. Yes the suite + fruit basket was nice & let them know you truly appreciated it, but that you would have preferred the points. They can do it after the fact.

BTW - at Marriott when I've booked mtgs for an association I'm on the BOD of I not only got mtg planner points for the overall event, I still got points for the room even at the special mtg room rate as it was on my cc & not master bill.

Special mtg hotel room rates are based on filling 'x' numbers of rooms, so it's not like the hotels are offering massive favors.

Can't hurt to try, but I think you need to plead your case with your contact at the hotel & get them to process it vs the Diamond desk.

If they say no, chalk it up to experience & next time either negotiate it into the contract or take your meeting elsewhere to a chain or property that will give you points.

Cheers.

This happened to me at Hilton Greenville SC one time, I pointed out the convention rate was only $11 cheaper than the AARP rate and said bill me the difference. The woman kind of paused and thought about it and just gave me the points.

If I have a wedding/reception at a hilton property, will I get points on the money spent?

Can I put it on a Hilton Honors card to maximize points even more? (I know this is most likely a question for the individual hotel...but if anyone knows in general)

And I will probably have 30 Rooms that I will prepay, for some guests, I assume I can get those points...? But if we negotiate a group rate for guests at the hotel for which they pay, can I get those points?

yes i know, im trying to milk it for the most points possible...

;)

You will be disappointed

From the Terms and conditions:

Charges in connection with banquets or other catering functions are not eligible for point accrual, with the exception of points earned from qualifying meetings or events through the Hilton HHonors Event Planner and the Meeting Planner Bonus Programs (http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/about/meetings.do).

If I have a wedding/reception at a hilton property, will I get points on the money spent?

Can I put it on a Hilton Honors card to maximize points even more? (I know this is most likely a question for the individual hotel...but if anyone knows in general)

And I will probably have 30 Rooms that I will prepay, for some guests, I assume I can get those points...? But if we negotiate a group rate for guests at the hotel for which they pay, can I get those points?

yes i know, im trying to milk it for the most points possible...

;)

Yes you can get points for the money spent for the event and its 1 point per dollar spent and put it on your hilton honors card and get points for money spent at hilton. You need to talk to the event manager and register as event planner on the website given in the above post.

We did it last year for our son's wedding and got lots of points. We did have negotiated room rates, a few were part of the wedding costs. The guests paid for their own rooms, so don't know the answer there. But room service by the newly weds in the honeymoon suite, did get points as usual. honeymoon suite was included as part of the wedding cost

Hello:

I was just informed that we can work in HHonors points into meeting room/catering orders.

We have about 12 meetings/year with Hilton and I finally asked for HHonors points to be included in an upcoming contract.

The final bill ended up being over $3000.00 and 4 months later, I see that a measly 1800 points posted in my account. I was really expecting at least 9000 points (3pts/$1) but it wasn't defined in the contract.

Has anyone ever worked HH points into an events contract? If so, what was about the rate you received?

They have a separate program for event planners

http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/about/meetingsus.do

it's one point per dollar. There is a link to contact them for more information on that page.

Great. Thanks for the link.

Looks like that was my $1800 contract re: 1800 points. That was over 5 months ago. I'll await 3000 points for the $3000 contract.

I actually look at this like Hotel stays really but I guess its a whole other ballgame.

The only thing I can really do to increase points yielded is pay the bill with Hilton Amex

Make sure to chase them down, there has been many posts here over the years that they just don't show up. There have also been posts (can't say I've never tried) that you can negotiate them when you are negotiating with the hotel.

The only thing I can really do to increase points yielded is pay the bill with Hilton Amex

The new Hilton Surpass Amex card might get you 9 points per dollar spent.

That's what it is supposed to give for Hilton stays. Not sure if anyone actually has one in hand yet.

I’m planning a small 50th birthday party at Hilton. I do know they offer 1 HHonors point and 1 airline mile per $ spent under Event Planner Program. Can I substitute airline miles for HHonors point?

I’m using Amex Surpass to pay for the party. Do I get 9 points or 3 points? I don’t need any rooms because we’re all local. Btw, I’m Gold. Does it make any difference?

Thanks in advance.

You can get points and/or miles. It is all about whatever you negotiate with the hotel.

Remember that those points and miles are NOT free to a franchised hotel. The hotel has to pay Hilton for them. Miles cost alot more than points do, by the way.

Whatever you do, it all has to be negotiated in advance. Get it all written out on your contract. Don't expect to magically get points and/or miles by springing Event Planner on the hotel after the event is over.

Extracted from the AMEX Surpass T&Cs (http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/partners/creditcardsterms.do#amexrewards): "You will receive 9 Hilton HHonors bonus points for each U.S. dollar of eligible spending on the Card at any Hilton Family hotel worldwide (excluding Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare purchases and package sales). "

and... "Eligible Spending includes purchases of goods or services, which purchases have not been returned or otherwise rescinded, and are not subject to a credit."

Can't beat that - now, gird your loins, so to speak, and go forth to negotiate your deal with the hotel.

I'm trying to book rooms for my upcoming wedding and I've never been treated worse as a Diamond member as I have with the National Sales Group!

I originally contacted them on May 9th to get a quote for a minimum of 10 rooms one night and 15 rooms the second. The person at the NSG told me he would contact the hotel for me and find out what the negotiated rate would be, along with how many planner points I would receive.

It is not June 2nd, and 3 calls later to the SAME sales rep has produced 0 results.

I'm a Platinum with Starwood as well, and wished they had a hotel nearby. I've always been treated with respect there, and they always follow up as promised.

I guess Diamond status doesn't mean anything for Hilton. I'm seriously considering Marriott (which I don't like either) instead.

Anyone have any tips on how to escalate this to a higher power? The NSG is blaming the lack of follow up on the hotel's sales manager, yet he hasn't followed up once as promised.

hello,

this thread has not been visited in some time, so i'm hoping some of you can help out by providing more current, updated information.

i have no status with hilton. due to location, i am restricted to strongly considering a hilton property for an event.

what are my best options to earn points for an event? is it still the case that any honors points must be discussed/negotiated and explicitly delineated in the sales contract? or will they post automatically at the conclusion of the event, as they would after checkout of a stay? if the latter, what's the current earnings ratio - 1 honors point per $1 spent?

are there any good promos to avail regarding events at hilton? should i try and status match to hilton (i do have top status with more than one of its competitors)? would that benefit me regarding an event? is that even possible in this scenario?

i'm trying to explore all the possibilities here. your collective recommendations are greatly appreciated!

I'm hosting a conference at a Hilton Hotel and expect to spend around $6,500 between meals and room rentals. I'm currently a HH Gold, what can I expect to receive in honors points? I was told by the event planner that I would receive points equal to the total dollars spent. Would those be multiplied by Double Dip or other promotions? Or am I really only looking at 6,500 points for spending the equivalent of 30 nights?

Welcome to Flyertalk.

You will receive whatever points you have been promised in writing in your contract with the hotel.

Anything other than that I would not bet on.

Meeting points are totally negotiable, but make sure both you have whatever they promise in writing. or else you may not get them.

Currently nothing is in writing. All I have is a phone promise. I will review the points when I am settling up the bill. I'll see if I can get any more, but that seems a bit low considering one night's stay is 3,000.

Per this thread

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilton-hhonors/523540-hilton-hhonors-points-meetings-groups-event-planning-definitive-thread.html

It's normal to be one point per dollar spent

Get everything in writing otherwise you may get nothing. We made this mistake many years ago. Always have everything in writing.

I'll ask for something in writing before I pay for it next week. Thanks for the heads up.

Always have everything in writing.

+2

And, as noted above, everything is negotiable with the individual hotel in terms of points earned. But -- wait for it -- get it in writing. ;)

it's the specific hotel that awards these points.

So, I agree with the other posters. Only expect to get what you have in writing. If it's not in the contract, don't expect for it to show up in your account. ;)

Also, be aware, that these event planner points can take a while to post (like maybe 30 days after the event); so you will have to be patient. It's not always this long, but it can be.

Is it possible to book hilton banquet halls by using hilton points?