Comped airline top-tier status
 

We have frequently heard of hotel programs (eg Hyatt, Hilton etc) comping top FFs of airlines (eg United, Continental etc) their Diamond and Platinum status on the basis of the FF status. Does anyone know of the reverse: ie top-tier FF status comped by airlines on the basis on top-tier status with hotel programs ?

Keep in mind frequent flyers are almost always frequent stayers and frequent car renters, although the converse is not always true. Logically, it would not make sense for hotels stays or car rentals to influence airline program status levels.

I have not heard of that at all. It would be interesting to see if anyone has experienced such a comp.

[This message has been edited by AusTXHiker (edited 12-06-2000).]

I echo AusTX's comments. I would be very interested to know if my AA Plat and UA Exec Prem status would warrant comp hotel status (especially with 3 Hilton stays in the next month). The closest I've heard is an arrangement with AA Plat that gives Silver (aka "Whoop de doo") for HHonors after 2 stays and a Hitlon promo giving Silver for 2 year-end stays.

Would I be able to get Gold with Hilton? If so,let me know (how) at [email protected]

Thanks,
KP

kidpachinko,

Don't know about Hilton, but AA Plat automatically got me Plat at Hyatt. It's equivalent to Marriot Silver, but better than nothing.

kidpachinko, I think you have to be a UA 1K to get comped for Hilton gold. I just received an unsolicited gold card from Hilton in the past two weeks; I became 1K in July.

You also get Inter-Continental Six Continents Club membership (normally costs US$100, gives you bonus miles and other stuff) with AA PLT on your first stay.

I've never heard of it working the other way around, though. I don't know if I'm typical in this, but hotel frequent guest memberships and status levels don't influence my hotel choices nearly as much as frequent flyer memberships and levels influence my choice of airlines.

Some interesting views. I would suggest that whilst being a frequent flyer should make you a frequent stayer too; the relationship the other way is quite strong too. Presumably, if you stay frequently in hotels, you must be travelling often. Of course you may not be FLYing but then again, you probably are. Are the airlines missing out on a potentially strong channel to market to its frequent flyer base ?

what is the process for obtaining status with these hotels. i'm plat on aa, and will be exec plat after this wknd. who do i have to call?

It varies from chain to chain, too many to list here. Specifics are on pages 17-20 of your 2000 membership guide. If you can't find yours, the Platinum desk should be able to help, or e-mail me if you want to know about one specific chain and I'll tell you what that section says.