GHA Discovery - New Program 2021
Mar 1, 2024, 10:34 pm
#482
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX DM, Accor Platinum, Discovery Titanium, Bonvoy Gold, Ultima
Posts: 324
Just stayed in Park Royal SG, Kempinski SG and Pan Pacific SG - excellent service and full tier benefits given at first two, Pan Pacific declined any benefits and no accruals for my stay, even though all three were booked through the same corporate travel agent. Pan Pacific said no benefits and no accruals as not booked direct.
For the experts here is this correct please? Or should I write to GHA?
For the experts here is this correct please? Or should I write to GHA?
Mar 5, 2024, 7:04 am
#483
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Dubai
Posts: 54
I think this is incorrect from the hotel. OTA bookings like Expedia/ Booking.com/ Agoda are not eligible but corporate travel agent bookings should be. So you should ask GHA to credit you for your D$ for your stay. If you paid room charges etc at the time of check out (rather than those being billed separately back to your company) then you should earn D$ on what you paid - if there were no amounts paid by you on your bill then you wouldn't earn any D$.
Let us know how you get on.
That's weird on Outrigger. I can log in fine on their website with my usual GHA membership details. Maybe they fixed that? And Discovery member rates always earn tier night credits and Discovery dollars.
Let us know how you get on.
That's weird on Outrigger. I can log in fine on their website with my usual GHA membership details. Maybe they fixed that? And Discovery member rates always earn tier night credits and Discovery dollars.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Mar 5, 2024 at 5:56 pm Reason: consecutive posts merged; quote shortened
Mar 5, 2024, 9:20 am
#484
Company Representative, GHA
Join Date: Nov 2021
Programs: GHA DISCOVERY
Posts: 75
Anyone know what is the status of A Small World partnership with GHA Discovery?
GHA website shows A Small World have 4 hotels participating and yet if you check at A Small World Discovery website (https://asmallworlddiscovery.com/our-hotels) they have about 14 hotels listed as participating.
GHA website shows A Small World have 4 hotels participating and yet if you check at A Small World Discovery website (https://asmallworlddiscovery.com/our-hotels) they have about 14 hotels listed as participating.
While A Small World is indeed a part of our alliance, the number of hotels listed on our respective websites may vary. At present, we have five hotels participating in the GHA DISCOVERY programme. These hotels are:
1. The Chedi Andermatt
2. Resort Hotel Alex
3. Grand Cosmopolitan Hotel
4. The Mandrake
5. Althoff St. James´s Hotel and Club (Newly Added)
It's important to note that not all hotels listed on the A Small World website are necessarily part of the GHA DISCOVERY programme.
If you have any further questions or require additional information, please don't hesitate to ask.
I recently stayed at Anantara Lawana Koh Samui. The experience was good, I booked a pool access villa and was given a nice +2 upgrade to a seaview pool villa.
Overall service in the resort was excellent.
My impression, based on my limited experience with the GHA program, is that the GHA hotels do try to give an upgrade when available, and this is a very big plus for me, so I will consider sticking with this program as long as I can.
However, I do agree that the D$ is difficult to spend. I usually book non-refundable rates to save money, and most GHA hotels require prepayment by credit card, and this makes it impossible to use D$ for the room rate.
I'm usually not interested in spa or dining in the resort, so options to use the D$ are limited.
GHA really needs to do something about this - to allow us to use D$ for prepaid room rates, or if that it not possible, to allow us to use D$ as refunds to credit card upon checkout.
Overall service in the resort was excellent.
My impression, based on my limited experience with the GHA program, is that the GHA hotels do try to give an upgrade when available, and this is a very big plus for me, so I will consider sticking with this program as long as I can.
However, I do agree that the D$ is difficult to spend. I usually book non-refundable rates to save money, and most GHA hotels require prepayment by credit card, and this makes it impossible to use D$ for the room rate.
I'm usually not interested in spa or dining in the resort, so options to use the D$ are limited.
GHA really needs to do something about this - to allow us to use D$ for prepaid room rates, or if that it not possible, to allow us to use D$ as refunds to credit card upon checkout.
We're thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful stay and that you appreciated the upgrade to a sea view pool villa. Providing exceptional service and memorable experiences for our guests is always our top priority.
We appreciate your feedback regarding the usability of DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) within the GHA DISCOVERY programme. Your suggestions regarding the ability to use D$ for prepaid room rates is duly noted. We're committed to enhancing the flexibility and usability of D$ to ensure a more rewarding experience for our members like you.
Your loyalty and feedback are invaluable to us, and we will take your suggestions into consideration as we continue to improve our programme.
The GHA Discovery program offers great benefits and I've stayed at many wonderful hotels where I have received excellent service and amazing upgrades.
However, there are too many issues that are making me increasingly disinclined to use GHA.
Far too many properties offer no welcome gift or local amenity and don't offer upgrades until I point out the benefits of Titanium and the availability of better rooms. If rooms are available, give me the upgrade as per the program terms, don't make me have to protest and argue about it.
I can't make bookings at the moment because my email address in my GHA profile has somehow acquired a "55" at the beginning. I didn't put it there. I can't change it. I can still log in with my correct email address.
I want to book an Outrigger hotel. There are Discovery member rates on outrigger.com that are much cheaper than at GHA.com but no way to log in as a Discovery member or add your membership details to the reservation.
They still do not have a rate calendar.
They still do not show the full price including taxes and fees. Even in countries where this is not illegal, any honourable business should show the full price without making you click through a dummy bookign just to find it.
There are still Discovery Member rates for Outrigger hotels available on gha.com that exclude all on-property membership benefits and do not earn tier night credit or discovery dollars.
You cannot use Discovery Dollars on prepaid rates and I have seen properties where even flexible rates actually require full prepayment a day or two before the stay, so it is impossible to use discovery dollars.
However, there are too many issues that are making me increasingly disinclined to use GHA.
Far too many properties offer no welcome gift or local amenity and don't offer upgrades until I point out the benefits of Titanium and the availability of better rooms. If rooms are available, give me the upgrade as per the program terms, don't make me have to protest and argue about it.
I can't make bookings at the moment because my email address in my GHA profile has somehow acquired a "55" at the beginning. I didn't put it there. I can't change it. I can still log in with my correct email address.
I want to book an Outrigger hotel. There are Discovery member rates on outrigger.com that are much cheaper than at GHA.com but no way to log in as a Discovery member or add your membership details to the reservation.
They still do not have a rate calendar.
They still do not show the full price including taxes and fees. Even in countries where this is not illegal, any honourable business should show the full price without making you click through a dummy bookign just to find it.
There are still Discovery Member rates for Outrigger hotels available on gha.com that exclude all on-property membership benefits and do not earn tier night credit or discovery dollars.
You cannot use Discovery Dollars on prepaid rates and I have seen properties where even flexible rates actually require full prepayment a day or two before the stay, so it is impossible to use discovery dollars.
Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding your experiences with the GHA DISCOVERY programme. Your insights are crucial in helping us identify areas for improvement and ensuring that our members receive the best possible service and benefits.
We're glad to hear that you've had positive experiences with many of our partner hotels and have enjoyed excellent service and upgrades. However, we understand your frustrations with some aspects of the program and apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Regarding your concerns:
1. Welcome gifts and upgrades: We apologize for any instances where you haven't received the expected welcome amenities or upgrades. We'll work closely with our partner hotels to ensure that they adhere to the program terms and provide these benefits promptly and seamlessly. Additionally, if you could share which brand you faced this issue with, we can address it with them accordingly.
2. Email address issue: We're sorry to hear about the technical issue with your email address in your GHA profile. Kindly email our customer service team at [email protected] for them to assist you further.
3. Booking process on outrigger.com: We acknowledge the difficulty you may have encountered in accessing DISCOVERY member rates on outrigger.com. Could you kindly share a screenshot with our customer service team so we can take it up with the brand directly?
4. Rate calendar and transparency: We understand the importance of transparency in pricing and will share your feedback with the relevant team. We'll work towards implementing a rate calendar and displaying full prices, including taxes and fees, on our platforms. It's essential for us to provide clear and upfront information to our members.
5. Discovery Dollars usage: Your feedback is valuable, and we are continuing to work towards enhancing your experience for more rewarding journeys.
Once again, thank you for bringing these issues to our attention. We're committed to addressing them promptly and enhancing the overall experience for our members.
Just got a call from the hotel booked for tomorrow. And I ask if I can still get my member benefits as I booked via Qantas hotel. But the guy says no, I won't get any member benefits. Then I told him what I know from here as GHA_Insider says. But still got the same reply. But he says I will get the discovery dollars which I'm strongly doubt with that.
It's really not a good start even the trip is not started yet. It's quite disappointed as it's my first booking using GHA titanium tier to see what would it be. But no next time for me. 🤦♂️
It's really not a good start even the trip is not started yet. It's quite disappointed as it's my first booking using GHA titanium tier to see what would it be. But no next time for me. 🤦♂️
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Mar 5, 2024 at 5:19 pm Reason: Consecutive posts merged
Mar 6, 2024, 2:18 am
#485
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX DM, Accor Platinum, Discovery Titanium, Bonvoy Gold, Ultima
Posts: 324
I think this is incorrect from the hotel. OTA bookings like Expedia/ Booking.com/ Agoda are not eligible but corporate travel agent bookings should be. So you should ask GHA to credit you for your D$ for your stay. If you paid room charges etc at the time of check out (rather than those being billed separately back to your company) then you should earn D$ on what you paid - if there were no amounts paid by you on your bill then you wouldn't earn any D$.
Let us know how you get on.
Let us know how you get on.
Mar 6, 2024, 7:05 am
#486
Company Representative, GHA
Join Date: Nov 2021
Programs: GHA DISCOVERY
Posts: 75
For more information and to explore our partnership with Regent Seven Seas Cruises, please visit our website at the following link: https://www.ghadiscovery.com/regent-cruises Thank You!
Mar 11, 2024, 1:07 am
#487
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: HAM
Programs: AY, Accor, Hilton - Gold
Posts: 385
Just used the best rate guarantee for the first time at a Kempinski.
The rate was like 25% cheaper. But I got denied because "the other rate is an early booker rate".
Eh... So what? I don't get it.
.
The rate was like 25% cheaper. But I got denied because "the other rate is an early booker rate".
Eh... So what? I don't get it.
.
Mar 19, 2024, 12:14 am
#489
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: HAM
Programs: AY, Accor, Hilton - Gold
Posts: 385
Any way to really see when my GHA$ will expire?! Without checking every transaction and writing it down?
Because I have a message "x$ will expire on 16 may, why not book hotel?"
BUT today some $ expired nonetheless. Why not make a message for the $ that expires first?
Really frustrating GHA_Insider
Because I have a message "x$ will expire on 16 may, why not book hotel?"
BUT today some $ expired nonetheless. Why not make a message for the $ that expires first?
Really frustrating GHA_Insider
Mar 21, 2024, 5:27 am
#491
Join Date: Mar 2024
Posts: 1
Booking from third party not recognized at Groove Shinjuku
Got an email from Megumi (reservation & revenue dept) that Groove Shinjuku do not provide any benefits for booking via third party. I’m a titanium member and booked one night with the hotel via Agoda as there’s no availability at their website. Wanted to combine it with the other booking via GHA app and was denied too. Guess Groove Shinjuku is not providing any benefits for third party booking.
Mar 26, 2024, 10:59 pm
#492
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: HK
Programs: Qantas (Lifetime Gold), PAL (Elite), British Airways (now sadly blue), Cathay MPO DM
Posts: 647
Any way to really see when my GHA$ will expire?! Without checking every transaction and writing it down?
Because I have a message "x$ will expire on 16 may, why not book hotel?"
BUT today some $ expired nonetheless. Why not make a message for the $ that expires first?
Really frustrating GHA_Insider
Because I have a message "x$ will expire on 16 may, why not book hotel?"
BUT today some $ expired nonetheless. Why not make a message for the $ that expires first?
Really frustrating GHA_Insider
Mar 26, 2024, 11:34 pm
#493
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: HAM
Programs: AY, Accor, Hilton - Gold
Posts: 385
Also I now needed to book the much higher flex rate to use my points, even though I don't need it an could have saved a lot of money with the advanced rate. The Accor program let's yourself use the points against rates while booking...
Apr 6, 2024, 5:12 am
#494
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cork or Amsterdam
Programs: HH Gold, GHA Titanium, Iprefer Elite, EI Concierge
Posts: 659
Just got this mail:
Your exceptional loyalty deserves only the best from us. That’s why we are delighted to announce that complimentary breakfast is coming for Titanium members, ensuring your mornings begin with a taste of indulgence.
Your new sumptuous benefit is now served at participating hotel brands, and we’re bringing it to more soon. Now, shall we?
But the participating hotels are limited to a few brands as per https://www.ghadiscovery.com/complim...tanium-membersYour new sumptuous benefit is now served at participating hotel brands, and we’re bringing it to more soon. Now, shall we?
- Complimentary breakfast (“Benefit”) is a benefit of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme, available from 5 April 2024 at the hotels of the following brands: Lore Group, Lungarno Collection, Marco Polo Hotels, Maqo Hotels, Mysk Hotels, Niccolo Hotels, Nikki Beach Hotels & Resorts, Shaza Hotels, and Grand Hotel Heiligendamm and from 1 May 2024 at the hotels of The Set Collection (“Participating Brands”). GHA reserves the right to amend the list of Participating Brands at any given time, without prior notice.
Apr 7, 2024, 1:08 am
#495
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,841
I would encourage GHA to improve the elite benefits further and include most if not all brands for free breakfast, and put suite upgrades in scope rather than only +2 upgrade. In exchange, raise the requirements for Titanium tier. Then you'll get more of my business.