Hotel Program Allowing Points Booking for Someone Else?

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Nov 2, 2009 | 8:25 am

Explore

Original Poster

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Hotel Program Allowing Points Booking for Someone Else?

I'm looking for a program that allows either a good-value points transfer from one (non-spouse) account to another, or one that allows the accountholder to book reward nights for someone else. Does such a program exist?

Nov 2, 2009 | 8:43 am

icydog

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I know with the Marriott Rewards Visa card you can gift nights at hotels from one person to another.

Nov 2, 2009 | 8:47 am

pinniped

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I think you're already in one: I'm pretty sure I've booked an HHonors award for someone else in the past. Have they changed the rules recently?

Nov 2, 2009 | 8:48 am

AAce_Inthe_O

Join Date: Oct 2009

Location: DFW

Posts: 81

Starwood also allows you to book rooms for other people using your points.

Nov 2, 2009 | 9:03 am

Explore

Original Poster

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Location: SFO

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Thanks. IHG does not allow it, as I recently discovered. I'm shifting out of HHonors, but I'm glad that SPG allows it. Hyatt, anyone? (saves checking the T&C)

Nov 2, 2009 | 9:29 am

pinniped

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Marriott has no paper certificates for most awards. Therefore, I think it would be allowed since reservations can have a Guest #2 listed and authorized to check-in the reservation. The person checking in needs to present their own credit card for incidentals.

I know I've had other people check-in my Marriott stays. (Granted, I'm always showing up later that day or perhaps the next day, but the front desk never knows or cares.)

Nov 2, 2009 | 9:34 am

Mary2e

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Explore

Hyatt allows you to do both these things.

However, the receiving account needs to be near zero in order for the first to take place. It can be a spouse or anyone else. Said another way, you're combining points in order for that person to be able to get an award out of his own account.

You can book rewards nights for anyone you'd like out of your account.

Nov 2, 2009 | 10:56 am

SanDiego1K

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I've gifted awards within these hotel chains:

Hilton - very easy, lets you issue award cert in another's name
Marriott - allows combination of points with recipient; I suppose it allows gift of entire night though I have yet to do that
Hyatt - allows combination of points with recipient or award booking in their name. You cannot transfer FFNs.
Starwood - allows booking for another person, but you remain as primary with guarantee to your credit card. Thus, you get the no show fee should they fail to check in. You cannot transfer promotional award nights.

Nov 2, 2009 | 12:49 pm

drnp

Join Date: Jul 2005

Location: Houston

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Ive put awards in different names with Hilton, SPG and Marriot

Nov 2, 2009 | 12:57 pm

#10

soitgoes

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Explore

Thanks. IHG does not allow it, as I recently discovered.

Nov 2, 2009 | 1:33 pm

#11

Explore

Original Poster

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Quote:

Originally Posted by soitgoes

With the exception of the Free Nights from the Biggest Free Nights Offer, it is possible to gift reward nights to others.

The quoted promotion was at play. If the other hotel programs (Hyatt, SPG, etc.) allow their free night specials to be used by others, they have a modest competitive advantage (but it sounds like they don't permit it either).

Nov 2, 2009 | 1:33 pm

#12

soitgoes

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Explore

The quoted pomotion was at play. If the other hotel programs (Hyatt, SPG, etc.) allow their free night specials to be used by others, they have a modest competitive advantage.

SPG does not. I don't know about Hyatt.

Nov 2, 2009 | 2:31 pm

#13

icydog

Join Date: May 2006

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Quote:

Originally Posted by soitgoes

Nice compilation of threads. Thank you. I can really use a lot of them.

Nov 2, 2009 | 3:57 pm

#14

martyYYZ

Join Date: Feb 2004

Location: Toronto, Canada

Programs: HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold

Posts: 1,380

Quote:

Originally Posted by soitgoes

SPG does not. I don't know about Hyatt.

There may be exceptions from time to time but according to the T&C's, Hyatt FFN's are not tranferable.

Free Night Award(s) can only be redeemed for stays between October 15, 2009 and March 31, 2010 and are not transferable.

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