Hilton HHonors - Gold Perks on Award nights?

Thanks to advice on the FT forums, I discoverd I could transfer my AA miles into my HH account (no balance) to book a night at a great property in Venice. Thrilled that I don't have to pay, but understand that this is just a standard room with no lounge access.

In the meantime, I enrolled my husband in HH since he has a corporate function at a property next month. Low and behold, he gets a mailing from HH giving him Gold VIP, so I guess he'll get more points. I understand he got it as part of a promotion for the HH Platinum AMEX card.

Anyway, the award stay is under my name and the the Gold status is under his. We would love it if we could use the lounge at the property, as no breakfast is included with our room, and I think there's food and drink at the lounge.

So, the long and short of it is, award night is on my acct, but I'm travelling with a Gold VIP member. Will that status do us any good?

Thanks to advice on the FT forums, I discoverd I could transfer my AA miles into my HH account (no balance) to book a night at a great property in Venice. Thrilled that I don't have to pay, but understand that this is just a standard room with no lounge access.

In the meantime, I enrolled my husband in HH since he has a corporate function at a property next month. Low and behold, he gets a mailing from HH giving him Gold VIP, so I guess he'll get more points. I understand he got it as part of a promotion for the HH Platinum AMEX card.

Anyway, the award stay is under my name and the the Gold status is under his. We would love it if we could use the lounge at the property, as no breakfast is included with our room, and I think there's food and drink at the lounge.

So, the long and short of it is, award night is on my acct, but I'm travelling with a Gold VIP member. Will that status do us any good?

Why don't you contact Hilton and combine the accounts - or change the name of the award to his name. I'm at the Venice Hilton right now and the Exec lounge is a benefit worth pursuing.

Yes, I think the lounge would be a great perk at this property. But before I change anything, I'm wondering if anyone has used their elite status to get perks on awards.

Yes you do get your gold bennies on award nites

Why don't you contact Hilton and combine the accounts - or change the name of the award to his name. I'm at the Venice Hilton right now and the Exec lounge is a benefit worth pursuing.
Unfortunately, HHonors no longer combines husband/wife accounts into mutual accounts, but your idea of getting the award issued in his name is a good one and worth the phone call. ^ At least this way, there is a chance of an executive level upgrade.

Yes, I think the lounge would be a great perk at this property. But before I change anything, I'm wondering if anyone has used their elite status to get perks on awards.Status is recognized on both paid and award stays, but some hotels are better than others at recognizing status. Also, here are the beneifts for Gold. Note they are different in Hiltons outside the Americas. http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/about/gold.do

[QUOTE=OB one;9925444]Unfortunately, HHonors no longer combines husband/wife accounts into mutual accounts, but your idea of getting the award issued in his name is a good one and worth the phone call. ^ At least this way, there is a chance of an executive level upgrade.

Just checked with HHonors. They told me that the reservation and the certificate must be in the same name. Since he has no points yet for the certificate to be reissued, I'm afraid this won't work for us.

I was hoping he could just show his card when we check in and we might get the upgrade. I guess we'll see what happens. Thanks for the advice!

Just checked with HHonors. They told me that the reservation and the certificate must be in the same name. Since he has no points yet for the certificate to be reissued, I'm afraid this won't work for us.

I was hoping he could just show his card when we check in and we might get the upgrade. I guess we'll see what happens. Thanks for the advice!

Yes, the reservation and the certificate need the same name. You need to cancel both and start over. Redeposit the points, and book a new reward stay w/your points but with his name on the reservation and his name on the certificate.

Yes, the reservation and the certificate need the same name. You need to cancel both and start over. Redeposit the points, and book a new reward stay w/your points but with his name on the reservation and his name on the certificate.

The agent gave me the distinct impression that the Gold VIP member had to have the points in his own account in order to have the reservation and certificate in his name. Am I misinformed?

The agent can issue the award from your account in his name. The agent can then make an award booking in his name, using the cert number for the award that was just issued.

I am a Hilton Diamond. I've used certs from others a number of times, and I get the benefits of my status on the stays.

bdemaria is correct in his/her advice.

Yes, the reservation and the certificate need the same name. You need to cancel both and start over. Redeposit the points, and book a new reward stay w/your points but with his name on the reservation and his name on the certificate.

That's good news. I will try again with the agent at HH. Thanks!

I am a Hilton Diamond. I've used certs from others a number of times, and I get the benefits of my status on the stays.

And I've given certs to others from my account.

Indeed, I think the agent misinformed you. The nice thing about FlyerTalk is some members are more knowledgeable than the occasional agent; you have received replies from some of FT's most knowledgeable.

Sometimes, the property makes a difference - in Rome Cavalieri, for instance, it pays to go to the HHonors VIP desk / alcove, as opposed to the regular guest desk; in others, it helps to use the Executive Lounge desk (it depends on status and property...)

The agent gave me the distinct impression that the Gold VIP member had to have the points in his own account in order to have the reservation and certificate in his name. Am I misinformed?

Indeed, I think the agent misinformed you. The nice thing about FlyerTalk is some members are more knowledgeable than the occasional agent; you have received replies from some of FT's most knowledgeable.

Sometimes, the property makes a difference - in Rome Cavalieri, for instance, it pays to go to the HHonors VIP desk / alcove, as opposed to the regular guest desk; in others, it helps to use the Executive Lounge desk (it depends on status and property...)

At the Venice Hilton, the exec lounge desk isn't regularly staffed. However, there is a dedicated check in area for HHonors elites. If you are unable to get the certificate changed to your husband's name, be sure to check in at the Elite Line - w/your husband and his card in hand. You may not get an upgraded room, but you will likely get Exec Lounge access. The staff here are lovely and very, very helpful.

I am checking in this weekend and am a Gold. I too would like to get lounge access. Just to clairfy I always get breakfast in the US (if not lounge access) at Hilton properties. Does this apply to European properties also?

I am checking in this weekend and am a Gold. I too would like to get lounge access. Just to clairfy I always get breakfast in the US (if not lounge access) at Hilton properties. Does this apply to European properties also?

check the hilton t&c's it's all spelled out there.

http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/about/gold.do
Upgrade to Executive Level or to the next best available room type (does not include suites, villas or specialty accommodations) subject to availability at the time of check-in. Only guests that receive an upgrade to the Executive Level will be given access to the Executive Lounge. At hotels that do not have upgraded types of accommodations or an upgrade is not available, Gold VIPs will receive additional amenities and/or services, which vary by property.

I am checking in this weekend and am a Gold. I too would like to get lounge access. Just to clairfy I always get breakfast in the US (if not lounge access) at Hilton properties. Does this apply to European properties also?

Are u checking into the Venice property this weekend? If so, be aware that there is a large int'l medical convention there right now - and the Exec Lounge has become very crowded.

check the hilton t&c's it's all spelled out there.

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



I guess the confusion with this info is that it appears to be about benefits and points earned for paid stays. I never saw any mention of award stays being granted any perks.

But you've all told that you have received them so I'm delighted!

Indeed, I think the agent misinformed you. The nice thing about FlyerTalk is some members are more knowledgeable than the occasional agent; you have received replies from some of FT's most knowledgeable.

Sometimes, the property makes a difference - in Rome Cavalieri, for instance, it pays to go to the HHonors VIP desk / alcove, as opposed to the regular guest desk; in others, it helps to use the Executive Lounge desk (it depends on status and property...)

True, especially in Non-US Hilton's the Exec or VIP check-in is nice. In the US/PR, my experience is no difference especially of the check-in is in the same area.

All's well that ends well. After getting a more knowledgable agent, the points were redeposited and a new certificate was issued in my husband's name along with a new award reservation in his name as well.

I'll be thinking of you and your great advice while I have my free breakfast in Venice and toasting to Flyer Talk over complimentary coktails!

Well done, Mary. Have a fabulous trip to Venice. It is glorious.