Hilton Payment at desk forgot Amex
Aug 6, 2018, 9:37 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: GEG/DEN/ATL
Programs: UA 1K, TK E+, AS MVPG, SPG&Marriott Plat, HHD, Hertz PC
Posts: 407
Hilton brand standards used to state:
For Gold and Diamond VIP Members, the credit card information should be retrieved from the guest’s HHonors Profile / Reservation and verified with the guest that they would like to use the same credit card on file. Gold and Diamond VIP Members who have a valid credit card on their reservation record or eCheck-In ARE NOT required to provide a credit card or signature at check-in.
ii could not find a 2018 hilton standards pdf but a google search yielded this on the 2018 HGI standards:
For Gold and Diamond members, the credit card information must be retrieved from the guest’s Hilton Honors Profile / Reservation and verified with the guests that they would like to use the same credit card on file. The hotel may also request the member to provide a credit card if needed or required by local law.
For Gold and Diamond VIP Members, the credit card information should be retrieved from the guest’s HHonors Profile / Reservation and verified with the guest that they would like to use the same credit card on file. Gold and Diamond VIP Members who have a valid credit card on their reservation record or eCheck-In ARE NOT required to provide a credit card or signature at check-in.
ii could not find a 2018 hilton standards pdf but a google search yielded this on the 2018 HGI standards:
For Gold and Diamond members, the credit card information must be retrieved from the guest’s Hilton Honors Profile / Reservation and verified with the guests that they would like to use the same credit card on file. The hotel may also request the member to provide a credit card if needed or required by local law.
Aug 7, 2018, 10:52 am
#17
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,656
I rarely travel outside of the United States, but every one that I have done has required the physical card. Domestically, every 10th hotel or so seems to want the physical card, despite my Diamond status. Could be worse, every SPG hotel I visit always wants it, despite being a Platinum.
Aug 7, 2018, 11:11 am
#18
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 231
It has nothing to do with "security" or "fraud"(NOT providing the card to the front desk is much better security for the cardholder). They want the card to pay lower transaction fees with card present transactions. But the whole point of taking the card at booking is to give you the convenience of not having to bring the card with you and also so you don't have to expose it physically to more parties with possible credit card skimmers
Aug 7, 2018, 2:36 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,656
It has nothing to do with "security" or "fraud"(NOT providing the card to the front desk is much better security for the cardholder). They want the card to pay lower transaction fees with card present transactions. But the whole point of taking the card at booking is to give you the convenience of not having to bring the card with you and also so you don't have to expose it physically to more parties with possible credit card skimmers
But the OP was concerned about a promotion, nothing else. If asked and he/she doesn’t have the card, lesson learned, sort of of like presenting your AAA card or proof of employment with xyz company for corporate discounts. Rarely happens, but it’s on you to prove it if asked. Again, I have no problem with the request, but I follow the rules.
Aug 7, 2018, 5:58 pm
#20
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
Ive done exactly this so many times I can’t count. They merely need a solid form of identification to verify.
Aug 7, 2018, 6:52 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
You just walk up to the Front Desk and tell them a credit card number and expiration date and they accept it? Or, is it the credit card attached to your frequent traveler profile?
Aug 7, 2018, 11:38 pm
#23
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,157
If a merchant can show a history of low fraud, then their CP and CNP rates will be very similar - normally close enough that the additional cost of the staff members time to handle the CP transaction (along with associated customer dissatisfaction, for both the customer being served and those waiting due to the additional time overhead) will basically cancel it out.
When fraud does occur (and it's a "when", not an "if"), card present (especially with chip) puts the merchant in a much better position as it basically falls to the customer to prove the charge was invalid, whereas for CNP it falls to the merchant.
You're right in saying that not providing the card is better for the cardholder, but the inverse is true - having the card (especially with chip) is better security/fraud protection for the merchant.
It's not surprising that Hilton is generally willing to take this risk for Gold/Diamond members, as it has leverage over them. If you do try and skip out on a bill or defraud them in some other way, they have actions they can take, including taking points and closing accounts - as has been reported here several times even for very minor issues (unpaid $10 room service bills/etc). For non-members or less frequent guests it's a different story.