Hilton HHonors - Reservation with 1 paid night, and 4 nights AXON question

We're doing a total of 5 nights, with 1 being paid and 4 being AXON. Is it better to lead off with the paid night or end with it for any specific reason? Am just wondering if the paid night is first if that establishes you as a "paying customer" and if that does anything for a Diamond upgrade or anything else..I know mmmv based on the hotel, employee checking me in, etc. too but am wondering if anyone has an opinion or experience.

Thanks.

Frankly I dont think it much matters, at least as far as I can tell. All of my AXONS have been at International properties and I been upgraded just about all the time.

I will say that I try to start off with the paid stay (just in case it does matter ) however with the variation in room rates if the first night happens to be more expensive than the fifth I will book in manner to mitigate my costs.:)

mike

I've only done this once, and it was last year at the Hilton San Francisco. When I called to make my reservation, the agent understood my scenario and had no problem booking my reservation. Both stays (the paid night and the AXON) were captured in one reservation number.

When I checked into the hotel, the clerk seemed bewildered by the setup and had to go talk to a manager. The clerk started out by telling me I would have to change rooms after the first night, and I pushed back. After talking to the manager again, the clerk said I could keep my same room for the entire stay.

I did not get my Hilton Summer promo concert certificate, but I didn't care enough about that to complain.

So I guess that's a long way of saying, YMMV, but watch out for any promos for which you should qualify but don't due to the combination of a paid night and AXON.

Cheers,
LBBZman

I used to work for Hilton for 6 years, three of those years as an HHonors Manager. When you book four nights on a certificate and one night paid their computer system (OnQ) treats it as two stays on one confirmation number. The agent checking you in will only see those two stays if they retrieve your reservation by confirmation number.

Service wise, that shouldn't be an excuse for any issues that arise. However this is what happens when technology doesn't suit the need of the guest and reality says that you should be an informed traveler.

So, here is what I recommend... do the points first, revenue night second. This way you stand a better chance of staying in your nice upgrade. ;-)

When you check-in ask the agent to pull up your reservation by confirmation number, and explain why, then follow up with the front desk the night before your point stay ends. If the agents are worth their salt, then they will pre-assign the same room for both stays, put a "do not unblock" note in the comments and put a trace in OnQ. But agents are overworked and underpaid so don't hold your breath.

Hope this helps!

If you do the revenue night first, you can cancel the award stay if you need to at the last minute, or if you want to bc you are not happy with your room. :)