Hilton HHonors - No points; is this just Hilton or is it common practice?

I don't typically worry about accumulating hotel points. I typically stay at a decent place near my client and accumulate points in all the chains. I took my son to stay at the Doubletree Hilton in Puntarenas, Costa Rica this past week. I founded a good price on Expedia -- cheaper than what was on the Hilton site. When I gave the hotel my HHonors number, the person at the desk said she would ask but thought that I wouldn't get credit because I made the purchase on Expedia. I'm not mad since I didn't purchase under the assumption I'd get points, though I don't recall this happening with other chains. While I paid at the time, as far as I recall, there were no cancellation fees provided that I cancelled 24 hours in advance.

So, my question is: Is the policy of not giving points if the room is purchased on expedia (and presumably travelocity, hotels.com, etc.) a Hilton practice or is it widespread?

I did a couple of searches and found a thread about the best price guarantee but did not find one talking about this policy in relation to other chain's policies.

Hilton's policy is clear (see the T&C's) and do not allow points on most travel sites like Expedia.

Other chains have different policies.

Sear the forum for "expedia" or "opaque" and you will see that others have had different results depending on the hotel they stayed in.

HHonors does not give points for reservations booked on non hilton websites. IF you go to the hotel a lot you may be able to work something out with the GM.

Thanks. Does this cost them business with respect to Marriott and Intercontinental Hotel Group that I think does give points when using Expedia and its ilk?

HHonors does not give points for reservations booked on non hilton websites. IF you go to the hotel a lot you may be able to work something out with the GM.I thought that was only when using opaque booking sites where you don't know the actual hotel you are booking until after you reserve/pay. :confused:

I thought that was only when using opaque booking sites where you don't know the actual hotel you are booking until after you reserve/pay. :confused:

Never had a problem receiving points properly when booked through Expedia, Travelocity, etc.

you're not entitled to points if you book through a third party website. but there should be something in the terms and conditions that you are entitled to it the first one or two times you do it. not the third time.

unless they've changed it recently..

I don't typically worry about accumulating hotel points. I typically stay at a decent place near my client and accumulate points in all the chains. I took my son to stay at the Doubletree Hilton in Puntarenas, Costa Rica this past week. I founded a good price on Expedia -- cheaper than what was on the Hilton site. When I gave the hotel my HHonors number, the person at the desk said she would ask but thought that I wouldn't get credit because I made the purchase on Expedia. I'm not mad since I didn't purchase under the assumption I'd get points, though I don't recall this happening with other chains. While I paid at the time, as far as I recall, there were no cancellation fees provided that I cancelled 24 hours in advance.

So, my question is: Is the policy of not giving points if the room is purchased on expedia (and presumably travelocity, hotels.com, etc.) a Hilton practice or is it widespread?

I did a couple of searches and found a thread about the best price guarantee but did not find one talking about this policy in relation to other chain's policies.

To late now, but next time you find a third party rate, especially from Expedia, file a BRG with Hilton and they’ll not only match it, but give you $50 and since the rate will now be from Hilton.com, you’ll get your HH points and any VIP card status you might have.

I don't typically worry about accumulating hotel points. I typically stay at a decent place near my client and accumulate points in all the chains. I took my son to stay at the Doubletree Hilton in Puntarenas, Costa Rica this past week. I founded a good price on Expedia -- cheaper than what was on the Hilton site. When I gave the hotel my HHonors number, the person at the desk said she would ask but thought that I wouldn't get credit because I made the purchase on Expedia. I'm not mad since I didn't purchase under the assumption I'd get points, though I don't recall this happening with other chains. While I paid at the time, as far as I recall, there were no cancellation fees provided that I cancelled 24 hours in advance.

So, my question is: Is the policy of not giving points if the room is purchased on expedia (and presumably travelocity, hotels.com, etc.) a Hilton practice or is it widespread?

I did a couple of searches and found a thread about the best price guarantee but did not find one talking about this policy in relation to other chain's policies.

Wow -- I guess I just never noticed this (http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/points/hotels.do):...Stays that are booked via third party websites other than the websites of Hilton HHonors airline partners are not Eligible Stays irrespective of rate paid, for the purpose of earning points, miles or stay credit toward VIP tier status.Now that I found the rule I guess I sort-of recall when it went into effect.

I just found this out also. booking though sites like Expedia, you don't get points or stay credit, but it indicates you still get your VIP benefits. But, book though an opague channel, you don't even get that.

you're not entitled to points if you book through a third party website. but there should be something in the terms and conditions that you are entitled to it the first one or two times you do it. not the third time.

unless they've changed it recently..

I just stayed in the Hilton Woodland Hills (CA) through a Hotwire reservation -- opaque, but I knew it was the Hilton before I bought.

After getting home I got the following email from Hilton

HHonors points, airline miles and stay credit toward tier status are not awarded for stays booked through third party online sites. However, we have made an exception for your recent stay at the Hilton Woodland Hills. Going forward, though, we wanted to remind you that to ensure you receive HHonors points, miles and stay credit when you book online, be sure to make your reservations through www.hiltonfamily.com or any Hilton Family website.


I wasn't expecting to get the points, so that's a bonus, but it looks from this language that NO bookings through third party online sites will qualify in the future -- nothing about opaque sites.

Wow -- I guess I just never noticed this (http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/points/hotels.do):Now that I found the rule I guess I sort-of recall when it went into effect.

I routinely get regular stay points/status when I book using my company's travel booking engine. This is the case for both work-related and non-work trips (sometimes we get a better company rate).

To late now, but next time you find a third party rate, especially from Expedia, file a BRG with Hilton and they’ll not only match it, but give you $50 and since the rate will now be from Hilton.com, you’ll get your HH points and any VIP card status you might have.

Will they match from Expedia? If so, that would be terrific.

Thought I would share this experience. We attended a conference at the Cancun Hilton. Preferred rates if you booked with the hotel. I got the rate and spent four nights ($265/night, and a spend of $1,100). Hhonours says no points.

What makes me cranky about the thing is that I got no gold benefits, but they sting you for bell boy tips (on arrival and departure, even if you lug the cases yourself, and a daily maid's tip. Upon translating the bill I spent $21 on tips.

I felt double gouged here, or is this normal for resort bookings? You can tell I don't get out much.

I routinely get regular stay points/status when I book using my company's travel booking engine. This is the case for both work-related and non-work trips (sometimes we get a better company rate).

That was my experience too (until I changed jobs 4 months ago and stopped traveling for work). I got points and bennies every time. Somehow, it shows up as a travel agent, not a 3rd party website.