Elite Stay Credit without staying?
Dec 1, 2017, 6:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 20
Elite Stay Credit without staying?
Hi all,
The year end is approaching and my travel for the year has tailed off.... but I'm 2 stays shy of Diamond. I'm entertaining the idea of reserving at the cheapest Hilton property I can find without actually planning to travel and stay there, but still checking in on the app.
For example, there are some properties in Egypt or Poland that I could "stay" at for about $40/night. And I'm willing to throw $80 or so at making Diamond for next year. Does this work? Anything to be aware of? If this does work, any ultra-cheap properties to recommend?
Thanks!
The year end is approaching and my travel for the year has tailed off.... but I'm 2 stays shy of Diamond. I'm entertaining the idea of reserving at the cheapest Hilton property I can find without actually planning to travel and stay there, but still checking in on the app.
For example, there are some properties in Egypt or Poland that I could "stay" at for about $40/night. And I'm willing to throw $80 or so at making Diamond for next year. Does this work? Anything to be aware of? If this does work, any ultra-cheap properties to recommend?
Thanks!
Dec 1, 2017, 8:19 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Snohomish, WA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,793
If you don't show up you won't get credit. You can't just check in on the app for a hotel on the other side of the world and expect to get credit.
Book a cheap place near you. Check in. Leave the keys in the room. Leave.
Neil
Book a cheap place near you. Check in. Leave the keys in the room. Leave.
Neil
Dec 1, 2017, 9:03 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,870
Hi all,
The year end is approaching and my travel for the year has tailed off.... but I'm 2 stays shy of Diamond. I'm entertaining the idea of reserving at the cheapest Hilton property I can find without actually planning to travel and stay there, but still checking in on the app.
For example, there are some properties in Egypt or Poland that I could "stay" at for about $40/night. And I'm willing to throw $80 or so at making Diamond for next year. Does this work? Anything to be aware of? If this does work, any ultra-cheap properties to recommend?
Thanks!
The year end is approaching and my travel for the year has tailed off.... but I'm 2 stays shy of Diamond. I'm entertaining the idea of reserving at the cheapest Hilton property I can find without actually planning to travel and stay there, but still checking in on the app.
For example, there are some properties in Egypt or Poland that I could "stay" at for about $40/night. And I'm willing to throw $80 or so at making Diamond for next year. Does this work? Anything to be aware of? If this does work, any ultra-cheap properties to recommend?
Thanks!
Dec 1, 2017, 9:38 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,787
You're welcome to book me 2 one night stays at the Hilton Americas Houston on your dime and add me as the additional guest. I'm happy to check in and enjoy the pool, etc on your behalf. 
and let you keep all the points and credits, and no, I won't order room service.
and let you keep all the points and credits, and no, I won't order room service.
Dec 2, 2017, 6:11 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA LT PLT; HH Diamond; AS 75K
Posts: 2,878
And when he doesn't show and the property decides not to credit his account?? No guarantee if the primary is a no show.
Dec 2, 2017, 6:50 am
#6
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rockin' the Bakken
Programs: Several
Posts: 978
I've actually had my wife stay at a hotel and I've received the night credit/points without me being there. This has happened twice. I wasn't expecting the credit/points, however it was simply easier to make the reservation with my information already on file . Both times though my wife called the hotel directly to make the reservation.
Dec 2, 2017, 6:58 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 20
.Appreciate the guidance, all!
Dec 3, 2017, 2:23 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,040
If you have an award category 1-3 hotel nearby, you can use points to pick up your stays. "Day-use only" rates also usually pick up a stay credit and are often cheaper than overnight rates.
But as mentioned, you need to physically check in.
But as mentioned, you need to physically check in.
Dec 3, 2017, 7:08 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 20
EDIT: nevermind -- figured it out! Thanks for the tip!
Last edited by gsimon; Dec 3, 2017 at 7:14 pm
Dec 3, 2017, 10:08 pm
#10
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I've actually had my wife stay at a hotel and I've received the night credit/points without me being there. This has happened twice. I wasn't expecting the credit/points, however it was simply easier to make the reservation with my information already on file . Both times though my wife called the hotel directly to make the reservation.
Dec 4, 2017, 3:25 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,197
It has accidentally happened to me, too - checked in online the day before but was ill and didn't fly to my destination. But as a deliberate strategy for getting stay credit, it sucks.
Dec 4, 2017, 7:49 am
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,559
Do day rates count as EQN/EQS?
Every now and then, I've needed a stay for either status or to finish a big promotion. Fortunately the KC area always has cheap weekend rates. Often the mainline hotels are cheaper than the limited service brands, for reasons unknown to me. (True in both HH and Marriott/SPG.) So we go, use the pool, eat the breakfast, and have fun with it.
But yeah, you definitely gotta show up. No OLCI/Digital Key games will work.
Every now and then, I've needed a stay for either status or to finish a big promotion. Fortunately the KC area always has cheap weekend rates. Often the mainline hotels are cheaper than the limited service brands, for reasons unknown to me. (True in both HH and Marriott/SPG.) So we go, use the pool, eat the breakfast, and have fun with it.
But yeah, you definitely gotta show up. No OLCI/Digital Key games will work.
Jun 18, 2019, 1:01 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 180
If I need 10 additional nights to retain my status, can I use my 40,000 points (at a 5,000 point per property + 5th night free) to book the 10 nights and show up just for the 1st day (leaving around day 3 and not actually stay days 4-10). Will i still get credit for a 10 night stay?
Jun 18, 2019, 4:02 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: Hilton credit card Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,651
I agree with : D !. I would talk with the hotel management and explain what you are doing so that you are not checked out on day 3 or 4 when they notice that you are gone. Even then, they might not go for it.