Hi everyone! New member to FT.

Curious now that the dust has settled a bit where everyone has gotten to with the new GHA Discovery program in 2023.

I got gifted a Platinum status and some D$ earlier this year. I used it on a staycation at one of the Mysk hotels which was absolutely incredible. We booked the highest category room, but they granted me late checkout, a welcome amenity with some sweets and such, and some vouchers for the local activities. I got to use 200 D$ on that trip.

Checked in recently to an NH Collection hotel (my first time) and asked for an upgrade, no such luck as they alleged the hotel was full. Don’t know if I’m being naive but at breakfast it very much was full so I can believe them on some level, maybe I got unlucky and the upgrades went to the titanium members/first come first served basis. They gave lots of sweets, fruits and drinks as the welcome amenity which was really nice, and the hotel itself is fantastic with very modern rooms and delicious breakfast. This is my second stay in a GHA Discovery hotel.

Personally, the way things are going in a peri? Post pandemic world, I think the best strategy is to get to titanium status with the three stays, and then book for the benefits strategically depending on where I’m staying.

I’m also Marriott Titanium and Hilton Diamond, however the city I was staying in seemed to have subpar reviews on the Marriott properties in contrast to the NH collection hotel, which is why I went for it in the first place. At this stage in the points and hotel loyalty game though, not having breakfast or lounge access automatically included can be a bit annoying for me personally, as it is one of the things I look forward to and how I’m used to starting my day.

I will probably get to titanium with a third stay and then use it sporadically for the discovery dollars or if the options appear more superior than other brands at that location (or if there’s an offer/sale for example). However I do agree with the above commenter who mentioned that they offer ultra luxury properties that are more superior than a lot of brands, which if you’re looking for that can be very lucrative loyalty, as many of the brands included in GHA are absolutely incredible.

I saw recently they have added a cruise line to the GHA Discovery line up with an offer to get as much as 7500 D$ in return. I’m very curious about it!