Hilton HHonors - Mixing redemption stay with regular stay

Hi,
I guess this must be a fairly common question, so apologies if it's been asked many times (although I searched back a few pages and found nothing).
I'm staying for 4 nights at the Tokyo Hilton and used my remaining HH points to pay for one of the nights. The other three nights I'm paying for myself (regular, queen room, same as the standard redemption stay room). So, I have two seperate reservations. I'll mail the hotel in advance to let them know, but does this cause any problems when you check in? Is there a chance I'll have to check out and back in again? Am I jeopardising chances of an upgrade or other little perks (I'm a diamond member)?
Any advice how to make this work as smoothly as possible would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

I can't speak to that particular hotel, but I've done the same with other Hiltons. Most recently about a year ago at the London Kensington, with 2 days award and 2 days revenue stay. Technically it's 2 stays, but when I informed them at check-in, they set me up for what was basically an auto-check-in for the "second" stay. Didn't have to change rooms, folio was transferred onto the 2nd stay folio, etc.

Just let them know at check-in, or even in advance if you can add comments to the reservation.

Damn, I was just thinking about it last night and wanted to post to ask how it actually works. This is crazy that the OP asked it today already. Thanks.

So looks like you have to book two separate stays and then tell the hotel to make note of it so that its the same room, etc. etc.

So looks like you have to book two separate stays and then tell the hotel to make note of it so that its the same room, etc. etc.

Yes, I've done that many times. Even when I didn't call in advance to combine the reservations, it was done when I checked in.

Same thing for us a few years ago at the Hilton Los Cabos. 3 nights with points, 4 to pay. Had to make two reservations. Added comments to second reservation (the ones for the later date) that I was already staying there and I hoped to not have to move rooms.

When we arrived, told them we had two reservations, and they said check back the day before the first reservation ends. We checked back and they told us to stay in the same room, no problem.

Only caveat was that they didn't give us our breakfast coupons for the second stay until it techinically began.

I do this all of the time. If I get a great room when I first check in, I tell them to combine them. If I don't, I'll tell them I'll check back in and hope for a better room. Since you're staying for 4 nights and then adding one on, it may not be worth it in this specific case.

I've also done this many times. I've also done it by combining regular and point saver awards.

The only glitch I've ever run into is that sometimes the card key doesn't work when the second stay starts, even if the hotel staff told me at check-in that I would be in the same room for the entire stay.

I've done it a couple of times. The first time I made the reservation with a telephone rep -- two reward nights and one paid night -- and things went smoothly at check in. The second time I made an online reward reservation and then immediately made a paid reservation for the second night. I e-mailed the hotel to give them a heads up that this would be a single stay even though there were two reservations. I had to explain it again and check in, but everything worked out okay.

I have done this twice. First time Squaw Peak Phoenix with the paid night as the first night and then 3 reward nights following. No problem with front desk at check in, just stopped by next morning to remind them so our key would work when we returned to the hotel later that day. Second time recently in Clearwater. First 6 nights rewards stay and last night paid stay. Again no problem but it does take a few extra minutes at check in and just be sure to remind them what you are doing.

Have done this several times as well. Most recently at Berlin Hitlton. One thing to possibly note. I have my preferences set to Hilton Hhonors points and Fixed Miles with BMI. For the Berlin Hilton stay my miles didn't post, when I tried to get them to post afterwards, they told me that since it was a combined award/paid stay miles would not be awarded. So next time I'll change my preferences to points plus points before this type of stay.

We did that in Cancun. We payed for the first two nights at the special ocean front rooms. I forget the name of the wing, but they are seperate from the tower, quiet, and you are right on the water! Anyway, we booked the next two nights on points. They usually put reward nights in the tower. The hotel would not guarantee that we could stay in the same room, but we went during a slow season and it worked!

I have done this twice. First time Squaw Peak Phoenix with the paid night as the first night and then 3 reward nights following. No problem with front desk at check in, just stopped by next morning to remind them so our key would work when we returned to the hotel later that day. Second time recently in Clearwater. First 6 nights rewards stay and last night paid stay. Again no problem but it does take a few extra minutes at check in and just be sure to remind them what you are doing.


I had a similar experience with Squaw Peak. We book 5 nights on rewards and paid for 2. I called the Diamond Desk and they actually combined the rewards reservation with the revenue reservation and it appeared twice on my reservations page under the same confirmation number. It made it easier for the hotel to check me in AND they knew to keep me in the same room, which they had upgraded to one of the great Casitas. I have found this to be a smooth process now. But as stated, I did need to stop by the front desk after the first 5 nights to have my room keys reset.

We did this with Paris hilton and still no problems.A paid night tacked on to a 6 night award.On the last night returned to find a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates for the second time during our stay.A nice bonus.

Just following up on my own initial post. I emailed the hotel (Tokyo Hilton) over the weekend and mentioned that I was combining a reward and revenue stay and that we'd really appreciate not having to check in twice or move rooms. They replied promptly to say that we would have the same room for our full stay.
Actually I originally mailed them to see if I could move the revenue part of my stay which I had booked at the cheapest, non-refundable rate. We have two stays in Tokyo at the start and end of our trip and I'd booked 2 nights in the Conrad with my points at the start, with 3+1 nights in the Hilton for the second stay (using the points for the much more expensive Sat. night, I thought I was doing rather well). However, I had accumulated points a lot quicker than expected since I made the reservations 6 weeks ago and realised I had now had enough to cover the 4 nights at the end in the Conrad and to my surprise there was still availability for early July for a reward stay. So I wanted to see if I could switch my revenue stay at the Hilton to the start. Unfortunately, it's not possible so it's just the two free nights in the Conrad. Ah well, you live and learn.

Just following up on my own initial post. I emailed the hotel (Tokyo Hilton) over the weekend and mentioned that I was combining a reward and revenue stay and that we'd really appreciate not having to check in twice or move rooms. They replied promptly to say that we would have the same room for our full stay.
Actually I originally mailed them to see if I could move the revenue part of my stay which I had booked at the cheapest, non-refundable rate. We have two stays in Tokyo at the start and end of our trip and I'd booked 2 nights in the Conrad with my points at the start, with 3+1 nights in the Hilton for the second stay (using the points for the much more expensive Sat. night, I thought I was doing rather well). However, I had accumulated points a lot quicker than expected since I made the reservations 6 weeks ago and realised I had now had enough to cover the 4 nights at the end in the Conrad and to my surprise there was still availability for early July for a reward stay. So I wanted to see if I could switch my revenue stay at the Hilton to the start. Unfortunately, it's not possible so it's just the two free nights in the Conrad. Ah well, you live and learn.

At the risk of generalization, based on a number of trips to Japan over the years, flexibility is not one word I would use to describe the culture.
I can't tell you how many times I have arrived before check in time, and never ever been given a room a minute earlier than check in time.

Also, at the NRT Hilton, I've actually been given the exact same room four times in a row (last six months or so)! The breakfast buffet at this hotel is identical every day as it has been for the past ten years.

Language is still a significant barrier as well so that makes it more difficult to work with the hotels sometimes..

ckc

At the risk of generalization, based on a number of trips to Japan over the years, flexibility is not one word I would use to describe the culture.
I can't tell you how many times I have arrived before check in time, and never ever been given a room a minute earlier than check in time.

Also, at the NRT Hilton, I've actually been given the exact same room four times in a row (last six months or so)! The breakfast buffet at this hotel is identical every day as it has been for the past ten years.

Language is still a significant barrier as well so that makes it more difficult to work with the hotels sometimes..

ckc

I am always amazed at how some here can speak with apparent authorirty and sweeping generalizations on a cuture (or for that matter an entire nation) based on a relatively limited number of experiences.;)

How do you account then, for my experiences on my last trip to Japan where I stayed a total of eleven days in succesion in the following Hilton Properties:
Conrad Tokoyo, Hilton Osaka, Hilton Nagoya and again the Conrad Tokyo was checked in before 1030 am on every checkin instance, got different rooms at the two Tokyo stays and had absolutely no problems at all with language despite the fact that my own Japanese skills are perhaps limited to ten words?

I would go on to say that the concierges particularly in the Osaka property provided excellent service .. the best I have ever received in any HH property worldwide in the almost 20 years I been a HH member. Added to that they were flexible enough to grant us lounge access (except for breakfast) despite not staying on the executive floors.

mike

I am always amazed at how some here can speak with apparent authorirty and sweeping generalizations on a cuture (or for that matter an entire nation) based on a relatively limited number of experiences.;)

How do you account then, for my experiences on my last trip to Japan where I stayed a total of eleven days in succesion in the following Hilton Properties:
Conrad Tokoyo, Hilton Osaka, Hilton Nagoya and again the Conrad Tokyo was checked in before 1030 am on every checkin instance, got different rooms at the two Tokyo stays and had absolutely no problems at all with language despite the fact that my own Japanese skills are perhaps limited to ten words?

I would go on to say that the concierges particularly in the Osaka property provided excellent service .. the best I have ever received in any HH property worldwide in the almost 20 years I been a HH member. Added to that they were flexible enough to grant us lounge access (except for breakfast) despite not staying on the executive floors.

mike
I agree 100% with this.Also at Hilton Narita I have moved up a floor every time I have stayed and now on highest floor and in countless stays have not had the same room twice.

I have not done it often, but have been successful each time. Last was a couple years ago at the Dorado PR ES. I checked in for a 1 night paid stay first and informed them that I was staying an additional 5 nights on an award. They kept me in the same suite all 6 nights, but there was a problem with the key the second day that was easily remedied at the front desk.

I always start with the paid night(s) under the assumption that I'll receive (marginally) better treatment as a (fully) paid guest. I have no proof that it matters, however.

I'm guessing its the location but not all properties are nice about this. I have a mixed reward/revenue stay coming up at the ES Niagra Falls. When I emailed them asking about the situation they were pretty darned explicit that I would be downgraded to a lower floor and the opposite side of the hotel - no options.given. I'm trying to reach the manager to see if they'll let me pay an upgrade fee or something to stay in the same room for the entire stay.

I am always amazed at how some here can speak with apparent authorirty and sweeping generalizations on a cuture (or for that matter an entire nation) based on a relatively limited number of experiences.;)

How do you account then, for my experiences on my last trip to Japan where I stayed a total of eleven days in succesion in the following Hilton Properties:
Conrad Tokoyo, Hilton Osaka, Hilton Nagoya and again the Conrad Tokyo was checked in before 1030 am on every checkin instance, got different rooms at the two Tokyo stays and had absolutely no problems at all with language despite the fact that my own Japanese skills are perhaps limited to ten words?

I would go on to say that the concierges particularly in the Osaka property provided excellent service .. the best I have ever received in any HH property worldwide in the almost 20 years I been a HH member. Added to that they were flexible enough to grant us lounge access (except for breakfast) despite not staying on the executive floors.

mike


Ok, did you miss my very first sentence that starts with "At the risk of generalization..."

There's no attempt at authority here, I am merely sharing my experiences of staying in hotels in Japan over the past 15 years, several times a year. So yes, I have limited experience, but probably close to 100 stays at various properties (Hilton and other), so I don't know I share your view that my experience is "limited". I don't claim to be an expert on Japanese culture, but I have worked there over the years, and again, based on my experience, YMMV.

I'm not challenging anyone else or suggesting there are hard and fast rules, hence my first sentence disclaimer...

I have had great experiences in Japan - however, I stand by MY experiences over the years as noted.

ckc

We have two stays in Tokyo at the start and end of our trip and I'd booked 2 nights in the Conrad with my points at the start, with 3+1 nights in the Hilton for the second stay (using the points for the much more expensive Sat. night, I thought I was doing rather well). However, I had accumulated points a lot quicker than expected since I made the reservations 6 weeks ago and realised I had now had enough to cover the 4 nights at the end in the Conrad and to my surprise there was still availability for early July for a reward stay. So I wanted to see if I could switch my revenue stay at the Hilton to the start. Unfortunately, it's not possible so it's just the two free nights in the Conrad. Ah well, you live and learn.

Just thought I'd follow up on my last post to let you know of a very positive experience at the hands of Hilton.
As mentioned above, I had basically messed up as regards using my points and couldn't undo what I'd done because I was tied to a restricted, advance rate.
After perusing FT a bit more I learned of the Diamond Desk, which I'd never heard of before. So, I gave them call and asked if they could help me change my booking. The agent said no and I was about to finish up the call when she hesitated and said 'Hang on a minute'. I was on hold for about 5 minutes until I was put through to someone in 'corporate' guest assistance. She was incredibly polite and helpful and said she would email the duty managers at the hotel personally and ask if they could do something about it. Two days later she replied saying as a one-time only favour they would refund my payment for 3 nights, change the reservation to two nights on the new dates and charge my cc for those at the same rate. So, I've been able to switch all my bookings around and get 4 reward nights in the Conrad. A nice way to end to my honeymoon I think!
So, all in all, I'm very impressed with the service I received. I didn't kick up a fuss at all. In fact I made it very clear that I knew this was my mistake (in booking an advance rate instead of allowing myself some flexibility by booking a flexible one for a few euro more), that it wasn't a huge deal anyway and that I was just checking if there was anything they could do. The lady in guest assistance, however, took my call very seriously and delivered exactly what she said she would do.