In the past couple of years there seem to have been many changes to rules for partner bonuses in hotel programs. I now find myself very confused about what to ask for or present when I check in to a hotel. In some cases I remember what I think are old features of hotel programs, but can't find anything specifically indicating the change, I just can find the feature anymore.

I would like to see a discussion of the rules for partner bonuses in the various hotel programs and the right way to make sure one gets the most credit. I will start with my observations of the changes that I think have occured:

Hilton - They officially call their feature double dipping. Upon checkin you provide both your hilton number and a frequent flyer number (or similar program). You will get Hilton points for the stay, and miles in the partner program. BUT, though they called it double dipping, it used to be tripple dipping, since for presenting a partner number you not only got miles in the partner program, you also got bonus Hilton points. As of April 1st, you no longer get the bonus hilton points for the partner. You do still get both Hilton points for you stay and the miles in the partner program.

Marriott - You get either Marriot points, or miles in the partner program. To get the miles I am not sure if you have to specifically sign up for "Marriot miles" or if you can just present your partner card and ask for the miles. In any event you only get points or miles, not both. BUT, I recall that Marriot used to give bonus Marriot points for flying on a partner if you gave them your partner name and flight number during your stay. This was always confusing because I found I had to be very clear that I wasn't asking for partner miles - I actually wanted to Marriott points, but that I wanted the bonus Marriot(2 or 3 hundred - I don't recall), and I was fearful the clerk would be confused an instead give me the miles instead. The last few times I asked for this bonus, the clerk looked really confused, and I never received the bonus. So, I am assuming that this bonus was discontinued - but I could not find anything specifcally saying it was. I'm wondering if I'm just confused.

Hyatt - Things work there much the same as Marriott, you get either points or miles. I don't know if they have formalized their miles option like Marriot did or if you just ask for them instead of points upon check in. I always opted for the points. I am pretty sure that Hyatt also used to give bonus points for flying on a partner, much as I described used to be the case on Marriott. However, the last time I stayed at a Hyatt, I did not receive the bonus. When I asked for the bonus, the clerk said we can't give you that bonus - but that they did have a different promotion (unrelated to the airline I fler) he gave me with more bonus points.

I think they still offer the partner bonus, and will probably contact them to find out why I didn't receive it. But I am confused as to why I was told I couldn't get that bonus on my stay, i.e. was it incompatible with the other bonus, was it because I forgot to give my partner info at check in, and asked for it the next morning (while still staying at the hotel) or because they no longer offer that bonus.

Sheraton - You can't get both points and miles but you can transfer points to miles in most airline programs 1 for 1, with a 25% bonus for big enough transfers. I am not sure if you could opt to get the miles directly, instead of accumulating the in your Sheraton account - I think you can. I don't think they ever had a "partner bonus" like the ones I described for Hyatt and Marriott.

Holiday Inn Priority Club - You set up your account to indicate whether you want HIPC points, or want the points convered as you earn them and deposited into a selected partner program. I don't think there are any regulary partner bonuses, though they sometimes have special short term promotoions.

So, what I am wondering is with the current rules, which of the programs still offer partner bonuses in the hotel program points themselves, and the right way to make sure I get these points without confusing the hotel receptionist.