Does using a corporate/group rate reduce your status benefits?
Feb 2, 2016, 11:54 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,058
Does using a corporate/group rate reduce your status benefits?
I'm attending a conference and using the conference's group rate. I can get the same price through MVP Hilton as well.
Will using the conference/group rate reduce my status benefits? I am Diamond, and I was hoping to get comped to full breakfast. The location is a DoubleTree and based on FT reports it is YMMV between continental vs full breakfast.
So I am wondering if using a corporate rate the frontdesk will give me BS about it. Maybe I should switch to MVP?
Will using the conference/group rate reduce my status benefits? I am Diamond, and I was hoping to get comped to full breakfast. The location is a DoubleTree and based on FT reports it is YMMV between continental vs full breakfast.
So I am wondering if using a corporate rate the frontdesk will give me BS about it. Maybe I should switch to MVP?
Feb 2, 2016, 12:39 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EP, UA Gold-MM, UA 1K (former), GS (former),SPG LT Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,299
I'm attending a conference and using the conference's group rate. I can get the same price through MVP Hilton as well.
Will using the conference/group rate reduce my status benefits? I am Diamond, and I was hoping to get comped to full breakfast. The location is a DoubleTree and based on FT reports it is YMMV between continental vs full breakfast.
So I am wondering if using a corporate rate the frontdesk will give me BS about it. Maybe I should switch to MVP?
Will using the conference/group rate reduce my status benefits? I am Diamond, and I was hoping to get comped to full breakfast. The location is a DoubleTree and based on FT reports it is YMMV between continental vs full breakfast.
So I am wondering if using a corporate rate the frontdesk will give me BS about it. Maybe I should switch to MVP?
A group rate is something that is typically identified as a 1-time rate for a special conference or event organized at the hotel. Examples might include a meeting, wedding or room block, things of that nature.
A corporate rate is something that is negotiated for employees to stay at a property throughout the term negotiated, typically a year. An example would be for employees of Corporation X staying at the Hilton for general business travel.
Corporate rates do usually earn points and stay benefits like any other rate provided they are booked via the approved methods.
Here is what the T&C's say ..
Terms and Conditions
Section: Accrual of Points - #3
A "stay" is defined as the total number of consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, whether or not a guest checks out and checks back in again. Specifically excluded from the definition of "stay" are the following types of ineligible stays: wholesale/tour operator packages; contracted crew rates; travel agency discount rates, packages exclusively for casino player card holders; Team Member Travel rates, Hilton Family Travel Rates; stays secured utilizing Hilton Grand Vacations Club and Hilton Club timeshare programs, Hilton Grand Vacations marketing packages with a sales presentation requirement; complimentary or barter rooms; Reward Stays (as defined herein); NET Group rates; Series Group or IT Group rates; contracted Entertainment or Encore rates; third party websites bookings (irrespective of rate paid); and "opaque" channel bookings where the brand may or may not be known at the time of purchase. HHonors Points (or stay credit) may not be earned (including as a My Way benefit) for or during ineligible stays, including without limitation, folio charges incurred during ineligible stays. If at least one night of the Member's stay is consumed with the use of HHonors Rewards Points, the entire stay is considered a "Reward Stay" and no HHonors Points may be earned, except that if Member is using Room Upgrade Rewards, any money spent on the original reservation will earn points and/or miles consistent with these Terms. Participating hotel will determine whether incidental charges incurred during either of those stays are eligible for points, except that Points will not be earned for incidental charges at Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Homewood Suites by Hilton®, and Home2 Suites by Hilton®.
Feb 2, 2016, 1:59 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Norway, Maine
Programs: United Silver and HH Diamond
Posts: 1,474
I'm attending a conference and using the conference's group rate. I can get the same price through MVP Hilton as well.
Will using the conference/group rate reduce my status benefits? I am Diamond, and I was hoping to get comped to full breakfast. The location is a DoubleTree and based on FT reports it is YMMV between continental vs full breakfast.
So I am wondering if using a corporate rate the frontdesk will give me BS about it. Maybe I should switch to MVP?
Will using the conference/group rate reduce my status benefits? I am Diamond, and I was hoping to get comped to full breakfast. The location is a DoubleTree and based on FT reports it is YMMV between continental vs full breakfast.
So I am wondering if using a corporate rate the frontdesk will give me BS about it. Maybe I should switch to MVP?
Feb 2, 2016, 3:12 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Amsterdam, Asia, UK
Programs: IHG RA (Spire), HH Diamond, MR Platinum, SQ Gold, KLM Gold, BAEC Gold
Posts: 5,072
I'm attending a conference and using the conference's group rate. I can get the same price through MVP Hilton as well.
Will using the conference/group rate reduce my status benefits? I am Diamond, and I was hoping to get comped to full breakfast. The location is a DoubleTree and based on FT reports it is YMMV between continental vs full breakfast.
So I am wondering if using a corporate rate the frontdesk will give me BS about it. Maybe I should switch to MVP?
Will using the conference/group rate reduce my status benefits? I am Diamond, and I was hoping to get comped to full breakfast. The location is a DoubleTree and based on FT reports it is YMMV between continental vs full breakfast.
So I am wondering if using a corporate rate the frontdesk will give me BS about it. Maybe I should switch to MVP?
( some companies do the same thing agreeing lower room rates as non qualifying and non points earning)
Regards HH bennies such as upgrades, free b/f ymmv depending on the hotel as HH terms do state bennies only apply to rates booked through HH site or hotel direct.
Actually if lots of conference booked rooms given to non HH elites it could be said your chance of upgrade as an HH elite increases
If HH benefits , qual nights/stay and points are something you must have, I'd book a corporate or hotel rate and avoid conference rate unless significantly lower rate
Feb 2, 2016, 3:26 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,870
This is absolutely incorrect as a statement of fact. I've had a couple of proposals for a block of conference rooms that included a specific clause deleting HH points and associated benefits for those who booked that rate. I was able to negotiate and keep the same rate while allowing normal HH points and benefits, but each contract stands on its own and may indeed preclude points and benefits.
Feb 2, 2016, 4:16 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,058
Noted, so I guess if a non-group rate is no better than another corporate or MVP rate which you are eligible to use, it's probably better to go with the corporate or MVP rate?
EDIT: Is there anyway to check if the conference rate removes or limits elite benefits?
EDIT: Is there anyway to check if the conference rate removes or limits elite benefits?
Feb 2, 2016, 4:47 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: St. Louis, MO
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, HHonors Diamond, National
Posts: 126
This is absolutely incorrect as a statement of fact. I've had a couple of proposals for a block of conference rooms that included a specific clause deleting HH points and associated benefits for those who booked that rate. I was able to negotiate and keep the same rate while allowing normal HH points and benefits, but each contract stands on its own and may indeed preclude points and benefits.
Feb 2, 2016, 9:11 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Portland, Oregon
Programs: AS 75k, HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold, Marriott Plat, ect.
Posts: 222
Was recently on Maui at the GW for a conference, room booked under the conference rate and at check in was told no plat benefits (breakfast, upgrade) because the conference organizers excluded those in their contract. I assume they wanted to assign room types based on corporate hierarchy vs. HH status.
Feb 3, 2016, 7:08 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL Silver, AS MVP, UA Silver, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,883
I will say I have used at least one corporate (conference) rate code supplied by a client that did exclude points earning... I was able to lobby for a one-time exception through Customer Service, but I haven't used that rate code again even when visiting that customer.
Feb 3, 2016, 7:41 am
#10
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: The shape-shifting urban sprawl that is El Lay. FT member #71.
Programs: UA Gold & MM; DL & AA credit card dirt status; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Fool's Gold
Posts: 4,690
Was recently on Maui at the GW for a conference, room booked under the conference rate and at check in was told no plat benefits (breakfast, upgrade) because the conference organizers excluded those in their contract. I assume they wanted to assign room types based on corporate hierarchy vs. HH status.
YMMV
Feb 3, 2016, 1:28 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
Also, check the small print attached to the conference registration. There may have been a clause that states that if you book outside the block, they have the right to "take over" your reservation and place it within their block. I saw that occasionally when I was a Revenue Manager.
Feb 3, 2016, 8:05 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,419
Short answer is no. In fact getting the same treatment regardless of reservation type (i.e. Awards) is one nice perk of HH.
Feb 4, 2016, 6:09 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Amsterdam, Asia, UK
Programs: IHG RA (Spire), HH Diamond, MR Platinum, SQ Gold, KLM Gold, BAEC Gold
Posts: 5,072
Your best bet would be to contact the conference organizers. Although you could call and speak to the Sales Department at the hotel, I could easily see them declining to discuss any details regarding the contract. Maybe they will, since it's just one small aspect.
Also, check the small print attached to the conference registration. There may have been a clause that states that if you book outside the block, they have the right to "take over" your reservation and place it within their block. I saw that occasionally when I was a Revenue Manager.
Also, check the small print attached to the conference registration. There may have been a clause that states that if you book outside the block, they have the right to "take over" your reservation and place it within their block. I saw that occasionally when I was a Revenue Manager.
Covering the agreed minimum room totals promised in contract is high in organisers agenda, else penalties can accrue. If majority of conf attendees unexpectedly booked hotel rooms direc, the organiser would miss his agreed room total by miles
If organiser reaches the needed/contracted total they won't likely enforce such terms which could only be detrimental if conference room rates were higher priced, excluded elite earning+upgrades
Feb 4, 2016, 6:37 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Gulf Coast
Programs: Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond; National Car Rental Executive Elite
Posts: 2,319
Early in my travels for work, we organized a corporate rate at a Hilton in southern California. We had stayed there a few times and determined it to be our future preferred hotel. We were always treated well there.
Immediately upon checking-in the first time after booking under our corporate rate, we (all HH Diamonds) were told no more free breakfasts and no more preferred rooms.
I emailed HHonors customer service and was told "The hotel is incorrect. You continue to get all benefits you previously received regardless of your corporate rate." HHonors compensated me more than necessary and at our next stay at the same hotel, all issues were resolved.
Feb 4, 2016, 11:49 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: GAI
Programs: TK *G, all statuses that come with Ritz, Amex Plat, Citi Prestige cards
Posts: 364
Had a similar question come up a few months ago at the Hilton Chicago. The conference rate was basically the same as MVP, so I went with MVP to avoid taking any chances. The conference block bookings were supposed to go through a company called "Connections Housing," which seems to do a lot of academic conferences. They did have a blank for loyalty program number number on the reservation request form, but no mention of loyalty programs at all in their T&C's. Anyone know what the typical outcome is with respect to status being honored on Connections bookings?