Originally Posted by
AmD950
No - hilton and hyatt won't give you the benefits if you didnt book on the official website.
This is incorrect.
With Hyatt, you will receive elite membership benefits regardless of the booking channel (see
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt...-websites.html). If, however, you book an 'ineligible' rate (see
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt...ease-read.html) you will only receive elite membership benefits and will not earn any points/stay credit.
With Hilton, according to the T&Cs you will receive points, stay credit and elite membership benefits only if you book through a Hilton booking channel or GDS. Some individual properties may be more generous and recognise elite membership benefits even if you do not book through a qualifying booking channel (although you will not receive points/stay credit). See: