Settling Hotel Bill With Branded Credit Card from Different Hotel Chain
#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 .....
Searched prior threads but did not see a discussion. Thoughts appreciated .....
#2
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,514
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 .....
Searched prior threads but did not see a discussion. Thoughts appreciated .....
#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.
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.
#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).
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).
#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.
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).
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).
#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.
#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.
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SNA
Programs: AA gold, DL Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat
Posts: 446
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!
#12
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), Star Alliance Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,194
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.
#14
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
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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.
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.