Hilton Honors And Putting In Your AAA 16 Digit #
Jun 19, 2009, 9:00 pm
#46
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Really, a minor annoyance. Since this has now been the case for a few years, I've ended up learning my AAA number.
Also, you can always put the number in a text file (using NotePad or whatever) and just cut and paste it from there if it's too difficult to remember the number.
I wouldn't avoid Hilton HHonors just because of this -- I've found that ALL the (several) hotel chains I've used have glitches or annoyances on their websites.
In fact, within the last hour I was trying to book a stay on the Priority Club (Holiday Inn, etc.) website and ran into major problems -- their website usually works well but at the moment it seems to be a sick puppy!
So if you're the type that throws hissy fits and refuses to use a hotel chain because of something this minor, sooner or later you'll run out of hotel chains that you can patronize.
Also, you can always put the number in a text file (using NotePad or whatever) and just cut and paste it from there if it's too difficult to remember the number.
I wouldn't avoid Hilton HHonors just because of this -- I've found that ALL the (several) hotel chains I've used have glitches or annoyances on their websites.
In fact, within the last hour I was trying to book a stay on the Priority Club (Holiday Inn, etc.) website and ran into major problems -- their website usually works well but at the moment it seems to be a sick puppy!
So if you're the type that throws hissy fits and refuses to use a hotel chain because of something this minor, sooner or later you'll run out of hotel chains that you can patronize.
Jun 20, 2009, 4:00 am
#47
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 67
I agree too that it's annoying and they should be able to save it in my profile. Maybe their reasoning behind this is so you have to go through a little more effort to get a discounted room rate instead of rack rate.
I have my number as a favorite bookmark and copy it from there since I have IE open anway.
I find it much more annoying after signing in and moving to different options like Honors activity or back to reservations, I have to sign in again.
On another note about AAA rates, that we encountered the other week was cancellation period. Not to hijack the thread, but we booked a AAA rate for Cashiers, NC Hampton Inn and was given a 72 hour cancellation period.
If you don't select AAA rate and just go with rack rate, it's 24 hours. My bride looked this up on AAA's website, and apparently it's part of the terms for the discount. First time I have seen this, but something to remember if the travel plans might be carved in stone.
I have my number as a favorite bookmark and copy it from there since I have IE open anway.
I find it much more annoying after signing in and moving to different options like Honors activity or back to reservations, I have to sign in again.
On another note about AAA rates, that we encountered the other week was cancellation period. Not to hijack the thread, but we booked a AAA rate for Cashiers, NC Hampton Inn and was given a 72 hour cancellation period.
If you don't select AAA rate and just go with rack rate, it's 24 hours. My bride looked this up on AAA's website, and apparently it's part of the terms for the discount. First time I have seen this, but something to remember if the travel plans might be carved in stone.
Jun 20, 2009, 5:09 am
#48
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: SPG Plat,MR Plat Spire Plat/IC Amb, Choice Plat, BW Plat
Posts: 1,320
A small thing but yes an annoyance....IHG keeps specific rate accounts in your profile for convenience....comes in handy when you're flipping around different locations checking rates and such when planning trips.
Jun 20, 2009, 6:49 am
#49
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,973
A VERY minor annoyance IMO. It does help ensure that only those who are eligible for AAA rates get them. Marriott and most others just let you check an AAA box, and you seldom get asked to present your card at check-in. The hotel discounts are a big reason I am a AAA member and I don't mind the extra step.
That said, I do agree it would be nice if hilton.com could just save the number like it does my CC and fill it in automatically if I'm logged in. Until then, use Firefox or Chrome as your browser. After the first time you enter your AAA number it will pop it up for you after you type the first digit.
That said, I do agree it would be nice if hilton.com could just save the number like it does my CC and fill it in automatically if I'm logged in. Until then, use Firefox or Chrome as your browser. After the first time you enter your AAA number it will pop it up for you after you type the first digit.
Jun 20, 2009, 10:07 am
#50
Moderator: Mileage Run, United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: The City/Honolulu
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You can use the Team USA Advantage site and on the Dates and Preferences page they use the old check the box for AAA. They also have a box to fill in the number, but I never do and I stlil see the AAA rates. Sometimes the Team USA Advantage rates are better than AAA, but right now the Visa 25% of seems to be the best.
Jun 20, 2009, 2:51 pm
#51
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
This might not be a major problem, but it's such an easy thing for Hilton to fix, there's really no excuse.
Jun 20, 2009, 3:03 pm
#52
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For me, the amount of money I save (which at some properties is 15%) makes up for the amount of seconds it takes to enter it on the web page. Which also seems to be less time than it does to find it in my wallet, hand it over to the desk clerk, wait for him to give it back, then put it back in my wallet. But that's just how I am. 
Jun 20, 2009, 5:06 pm
#53
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
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Using Firefox with a Google toolbar, the membership number is easily entered each and every time - ditto for the multiple times one is asked for HH number when booking different Hilton family properties.
I sometimes do find other rates to be slightly better than auto association, sometimes not.
I sometimes do find other rates to be slightly better than auto association, sometimes not.
Jun 20, 2009, 5:41 pm
#54
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You don't need a toolbar of any kind. Firefox will remember this stuff automatically. Check your options under Tools->Options->Privacy.
Jun 20, 2009, 7:41 pm
#55
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
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You don't stay at Hilton because you refuse to memorize your number?
Yes it's an annoyance, but it's a very minor one, and certainly not worth being the only reason to choose another chain.
Yes it's an annoyance, but it's a very minor one, and certainly not worth being the only reason to choose another chain.
Jun 20, 2009, 8:34 pm
#56
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: US Airways Chairmans Starwood Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Platinum/,Lifetime Silver Hertz Presidents
Posts: 338
There are many times when I do not have my wallet in front of me when I am making a reservation which my AAA card resides. It is easier to book with Marriott, SPG, or Comfort Inn for that matter. I am more than willing to show my card at check in. I would much rather pull my card out at check in than walk up 3 flight of stairs to get my wallet enter the number. If your competition makes it easier to book your reservation I would think Hilton would look at this. That being said this is my opinion, I choose to avoid them because of this, you may not and that is fine.
Jun 21, 2009, 6:10 am
#57
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: West Michigan
Programs: DL, UA, AA, B6, BA (airline status-free leisure traveler), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,963
I am a AAA member, so I am glad that Hilton makes some type of accountability such that only legitimate AAA members can get the discount. That being said, I agree that it would be nice if our AAA number could be stored in our HH profile so that we would not have to input it every time.
Jun 21, 2009, 9:39 am
#58
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
You could put it in a notepad file on your computer, and never need to go to your wallet.
You could google AAA card and use the number off the images that come up, the one from the Amtrak site for example of a sample card is a valid number.
It's pretty funny, at least to me, that you choose not to use them when there are way easier ways to do it.
Some of the hilton chains also require you to enter your AARP number if going for that discount too.
I agree it's a good thing, or else everybody would just check that box, which means the discount is pretty much worthless.
You could google AAA card and use the number off the images that come up, the one from the Amtrak site for example of a sample card is a valid number.
It's pretty funny, at least to me, that you choose not to use them when there are way easier ways to do it.
Some of the hilton chains also require you to enter your AARP number if going for that discount too.
I agree it's a good thing, or else everybody would just check that box, which means the discount is pretty much worthless.
Jun 21, 2009, 10:58 am
#59
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
You could put it in a notepad file on your computer, and never need to go to your wallet.
You could google AAA card and use the number off the images that come up, the one from the Amtrak site for example of a sample card is a valid number.
It's pretty funny, at least to me, that you choose not to use them when there are way easier ways to do it.
Some of the hilton chains also require you to enter your AARP number if going for that discount too.
I agree it's a good thing, or else everybody would just check that box, which means the discount is pretty much worthless.
You could google AAA card and use the number off the images that come up, the one from the Amtrak site for example of a sample card is a valid number.
It's pretty funny, at least to me, that you choose not to use them when there are way easier ways to do it.
Some of the hilton chains also require you to enter your AARP number if going for that discount too.
I agree it's a good thing, or else everybody would just check that box, which means the discount is pretty much worthless.
Yes, the workarounds are simple, but they shouldn't be necessary. Nearly every other hotel Web site just provides a box to check, so I'm not sure why Hilton feels the need to do it differently.
Jun 21, 2009, 11:05 am
#60
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles, MR, HH, ICH/PC, Avis Pref., Hertz Gold
Posts: 2,897
The Marriott website does not require an AAA number when you book online but on a couple of occasions (but not all) I have been asked for my card at checkin. That kept "everybody" from being able to use the discount.