Originally Posted by
LondonElite
What Hilton chooses to market doesn't necessarily reflect what the actual situation on the ground is. use at Hiltons World-wide means you can simply use it at Hiltons around the world. You can also use it at McDonalds worldwide. That doesn't mean that every Hilton or every McDonalds around the world has to accept Amex.
As the franchisor, Hilton absolutely have the power (and I’d say responsibility) to ensure compliance and consistency across their system. I’ve actually run credit card related marketing communications while working at a global franchised brand and we made sure the legal line called out that there were areas where the promotion wasn’t available due to legal and banking rules. On the other hand, franchisees didn’t have a choice. They were obligated to accept the cards decided upon by the brand; their only out being if they physically or legally couldn’t comply.