Kimpton InTouch with a Hotwire Purchase??
 

I am an InTouch member. If I win a room at a Kimpton thru Hotwire or other 3rd party sites [sniqueaway], will I still get InTouch benefits [free wi-fi, Raid the Fridge, etc] I know that the nights will not count towards reward stays.

FWIW- I tried to get the Best Rate Guarantee but I was told that they couldn't match it because they weren't showing availability for the dates I needed.

Thanks.
Deb
:confused:

My first stay at a Kimpton was at the Monaco Alexandria 2 years ago. I had booked thru Hotwire at a really good rate. I did receive all benefits of my In Touch benefits, including an upgrade to a 650 sq ft corner suite.

That's been my experience too on Hotwire "opaque" bookings for Kimpton hotels in the DC/VA area.

I just booked a Hotline rate at a Kimpton hotel. I've never stayed at a Kimpton hotel (I'm excited to, since they all look like nice hotels - this one in particular.) I just signed up for InTouch (just after booking the hotel). Are there any benefits that a "no status" first timer would receive? The site made it appear like there were some benefits for all members.

For those of you that have received benefits while booked on opaque booking sites, do you call the hotel ahead of your arrival to add your InTouch information, or just alert the front desk on arrival?

Thanks.

I always call the front desk ahead of time to confirm my reservation and assure that my InTouch number is designated on the reservation. I also ask for any dining or tourist recommendations in the area, as well. Being nice and friendly goes a long way. My first stay was at the Monaco, Alexandria as noted above. We were treated like premier guests who had tons of loyalty points. I had actually signed up for InTouch just after booking on Hotwire, just like you did. Also, look into a status match if you have any status with any other hotel brand. I had platinum with Priority Club and emailed Kimpton for a status match and my InTouch was upgraded to Inner Circle which comes with a great list of perks. I think it is just the Kimpton way of business to treat every customer fabulously. Always ask nicely for an upgrade at checkin. If you don't ask you don't get...

I was looking to burn some Discover Card cash back points on Travelocity Incentives gift cards for a Kimpton stay so I emailed customer service about IC benefits and stay credits. The response is copied below. Can the folks that have made 3rd party bookings note if they received stay credit or not??? [benies seem obtainable]

Cheers

Thanks for the info. I already called them once today (to confirm and alert them to a couple of simple requests for our stay) so I'll call back in a day or two to add my new Inner Circle number. As far as I can tell (from their promo material and from my limited interaction with their staff) it does sound like better guest treatment is "just the Kimpton way." I've always been really interested in their properties, but their small (domestic only) footprint has kept me away from them. However, with the latest round of devaluations, I'm starting to think that the other chains are only good for credit card spend and free stays. I'm not going to be attached to a loyalty program for paid stays anymore - I'll either book the hotel I absolutely like the most (maybe a Kimpton property or an independent) or priceline / hotwire it and try to get a good deal. In this case, I got both so I'll give them a try.

Inner Circle number or InTouch number?

The 3rd party reservations did not count toward a stay credit although the perks during our stays have been the same as if we had booked thru Kimpton.

InTouch. Sorry, not sure where Inner Circle came from.

Thank you

You can price match the hotwire rate to kimpton. Worked the last time I did it.

This only works if it is not an opaque booking. I saw an opaque booking that I knew was a Kmpton property (it was the only hotel in the area that met the description provided) - I tried to talk the hotel into honoring a similar rate, but they would not have it.

Reporting back. I got the "In Touch' perks during the stay and a bottle of wine as it was my birthday. I did not get credit for the stay or nights for credit to Inner Circle or free night. I have since gotten Inner Circle status with their matching program [LeClubAccor platinum did this]. I also used the Best Rate Guarantee twice and they were great about doing so. In fact, they said they didn't understand why the agent didn't help me on the reservation in my OP. They have really earned my loyalty and will stay with them whenever I can!