Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Travel&Dining > TravelBuzz
Reload this Page >

Settling Hotel Bill With Branded Credit Card from Different Hotel Chain

Settling Hotel Bill With Branded Credit Card from Different Hotel Chain

Old May 22, 2017, 11:32 am
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SNA
Programs: AA gold, DL Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat
Posts: 446
Settling Hotel Bill With Branded Credit Card from Different Hotel Chain

Is it bad form to pay at one hotel chain with a branded credit card for a different hotel chain? For example, if I have a Hilton credit card and stay at a Marriott property, is it rude to use the Hilton credit card at Marriott.

Searched prior threads but did not see a discussion. Thoughts appreciated .....
PilgrimsProgress is offline  
Old May 22, 2017, 11:34 am
  #2  
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,514
Originally Posted by PilgrimsProgress
Is it bad form to pay at one hotel chain with a branded credit card for a different hotel chain? For example, if I have a Hilton credit card and stay at a Marriott property, is it rude to use the Hilton credit card at Marriott.

Searched prior threads but did not see a discussion. Thoughts appreciated .....
I doubt that anyone will care or even notice.
obscure2k is offline  
Old May 22, 2017, 11:39 am
  #3  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,805
doesnt matter, but obviously no credit card bonus
Kagehitokiri is offline  
Old May 22, 2017, 11:43 am
  #4  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, IHG, Enterprise, Avios, Nexus
Posts: 8,355
The hotel doesn't care as long as they get their money. A sharp desk clerk would see you as a potential customer he could poach from a competitor.
Badenoch is offline  
Old May 22, 2017, 11:43 am
  #5  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,691
"Show me the money!"

I doubt anything else matters or anyone cares.
Doc Savage is offline  
Old May 22, 2017, 12:52 pm
  #6  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,577
Was staying at a Hilton this year and only had my Marriott Visa with me.
I handed it over and made a joke about "hope my card doesn't crash the system" and the desk agent had a quizzical look on his face.

I mentioned it was a Marriott card and he said he didn't even notice and made a comment "all cards are welcome" with a smile on his face.
apodo77 is offline  
Old May 22, 2017, 1:02 pm
  #7  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Nope. I once stayed long term at Hampton Inn (only game in town for the project and well over 11 months every M-Th over a 16 month period) and used my SPG Amex every week.

Assume this is for minimum spend or trying to reach a specific spend threshold though? Otherwise it doesn't tend to make sense (SPG being an exception due to the outsized value of SPG points).
Duke787 is offline  
Old May 22, 2017, 1:19 pm
  #8  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
I hope you negotiated a nice rate and points/amenities bonus for such frequent stays.

Originally Posted by Duke787
Nope. I once stayed long term at Hampton Inn (only game in town for the project and well over 11 months every M-Th over a 16 month period) and used my SPG Amex every week.

Assume this is for minimum spend or trying to reach a specific spend threshold though? Otherwise it doesn't tend to make sense (SPG being an exception due to the outsized value of SPG points).
Yoshi212 is offline  
Old May 22, 2017, 1:39 pm
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 2,949
They get your money, why would they care? If anything, the staff might (if they're really bought into their employers) be mildly pleased that they're getting the sale rather than the competition with whom you appear to be invested.
Scots_Al is offline  
Old May 22, 2017, 3:11 pm
  #10  
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: FSD
Programs: BAEC, Delta SkyPesos, VS FC, SQ KF, AA, HHonors
Posts: 1,884
Once the Montreal Marriot noticed that I was using a Hilton Amex. The desk agent noted that they treated elites better. I decided to smile rather than get into a discussion about the relative merits of both programs.
Amelorn is offline  
Old May 22, 2017, 4:01 pm
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SNA
Programs: AA gold, DL Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat
Posts: 446
Originally Posted by Duke787
Assume this is for minimum spend or trying to reach a specific spend threshold though? Otherwise it doesn't tend to make sense (SPG being an exception due to the outsized value of SPG points).
Yes it is for minimum spend. Good to see consensus on FT. Oddly this is the first instance this situation has come up for me. Thanks for everyone's comments!
PilgrimsProgress is offline  
Old May 22, 2017, 7:29 pm
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), Star Alliance Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,194
Originally Posted by Kagehitokiri
doesnt matter, but obviously no credit card bonus
Several years ago the Hilton credit card (in the UK) used to actually give bonus points when spending with it at any hotel. They had obviously just been lazy and set it for x2 points at any merchant with the hotel merchant category code.
reclusive46 is offline  
Old May 22, 2017, 7:38 pm
  #13  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Bad form?

Even if it were, who cares? OP is the customer.
Often1 is offline  
Old May 22, 2017, 7:46 pm
  #14  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,501
For a while, the only hotel card I carried was the SPG Amex. I used it at all hotels since it was the best general-spend card I had.

Eventually, Marriott and Hilton came out with credit cards that were actually worthwhile to carry and use at those brands. And Hyatt came out with a card that more than pays for itself with the annual free night. So now I have a walletful of them, but whenever I'm staying award from one of those brands, I still use SPG Amex.
pinniped is offline  
Old May 22, 2017, 8:17 pm
  #15  
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AA, DL, Avis, Enterprise, National, IHG, HH, SPG/MR
Posts: 1,852
Pretty sure the only time they'll care is if you try to settle your bill with a herd of alpacas.
kb9522 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.