Topguest additional points for checkins [Update Jan 2014 - program has ended]
#781
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: WAS
Posts: 113
However, with either goal, I never understood what UA/CO stood to gain by just having people check in at an airport.
I was always worried about going overboard and getting my account shut down, so I took it slower than many people here and made sure the check ins looked as realistic as possible, but still managed to pull in almost 10k points total over the three programs I was targeting. Not bad for a few seconds a day.
#782
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,289
I think they were also hoping to get some eyeballs on their brand name by having people check in for the points, and having all of their friends see the check in. Having your friend check in at Holiday Inn more often than usual means that the hotel gets (almost) free advertising, and also implies that your social network friends are fans of the brand.
#786
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,289
#787
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tristram
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Priority Club, Emerald Club, Amtrak
Posts: 902
OK, Wingate is no longer listed as a participant.
But the crawler on the TopGuest home page is showing people getting 50 points for checkins at Wingates. Like right now.
Same pattern happened when Hamptons were dropped, and when Best West was dropped. Administrative lag, I suppose.
But the crawler on the TopGuest home page is showing people getting 50 points for checkins at Wingates. Like right now.
Same pattern happened when Hamptons were dropped, and when Best West was dropped. Administrative lag, I suppose.
#789
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: AA, UA, SQ, VA, QF, AF, BA
Posts: 2,865
I thought United came the closest to monetizing the check ins. We (husband and I) got emails advertizing car rentals, restaurants or shops in the airport. Maybe the hotels should have been doing that-sending happy hour vouchers or something.
I am still trying to figure out how Topguest made their money. Did they buy and resell miles/points or just provide the software as they appeared to do for UA?
I think the hotels did gain a lot of new accounts with this promo they wouldn't normally have gotten and they now have a lot of new emails to send their promos to which deal with booking rooms.
Does anyone know how much longer PC, Doubletree and Virgin have left on their contracts?
I am still trying to figure out how Topguest made their money. Did they buy and resell miles/points or just provide the software as they appeared to do for UA?
I think the hotels did gain a lot of new accounts with this promo they wouldn't normally have gotten and they now have a lot of new emails to send their promos to which deal with booking rooms.
Does anyone know how much longer PC, Doubletree and Virgin have left on their contracts?
#790
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,289
People hear "social media" and think that because it is popular it must be profitable. Like any other business, you need a business model that works. Geo-checkin services have a huge future, but not in the manner TopGuest imagined.
#793
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: OTP
Programs: PC
Posts: 507
#794
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles & Orange County, CA
Programs: Wouldn't you like to know?!
Posts: 23,822
Hilton has not been posting for a lot of people for months. I'm curious as to how you even are getting Hilton to post. Do you actually physically check into a Double Tree via GPS? Or remotely?
#795
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 207
For Hilton you need to simply email topguest and mention that your points aren't flowing to your Hilton account. You will likely see the points in your topguest account if you log in to check. I emailed and my points posted within 24 hours along with a very nice email from topguest. Too bad it's falling apart, their customer service is quick and responsive.