GHA_Insider

Thanks!

I'm a first-time poster, long-time lurker on various forums here, as a loyalty devotee and frequent traveler. Happy to help with queries when I can.

Rambluesky

FYI, Full terms & conditions are going live on website

https://www.ghadiscovery.com/terms-conditions

quant88

A few questions:
(1) is there a list of the titanium brand benefits somewhere?
(2) https://www.ghadiscovery.com/gha-discovery-benefits suggests the titanium early check-in/late checkout unlike the double room upgrade is not subject to availability while terms & conditions suggests it is subject to availability and the early check-in has to be requested two days in advance. Is this the case and is there a formal way of requesting the early check-in?
(3) Would bookings through Amex FHR/Virtuoso count as eligible rates or not?

GHA_Insider

(1) these vary by brand and by hotel location and they change quite frequently. They can range from gifts reflecting the local culture to services such as free laundry. At several brands they will offer you a choice of benefits from a small "menu" when you check in. It's part of the individual and local ethos of GHA that we don't standardize these brand benefits across the world; instead we allow local hotels to use their own discretion to choose suitable rewards.

(2) early check-in/ late check-out are always subject to availability. It's best to request early check-in in advance - no particular formality is involved but you should probably call or email the hotel itself. Often the hotel will send you a pre-arrival email asking for your special requests.

(3) unlike in the other major hotel loyalty programmes, bookings made through FHR/Virtuoso into GHA hotels are normally ELIGIBLE for earning D$, receiving in-hotel benefits and receiving tier credits. Most competitor loyalty programmes have now limited eligibility to direct channel bookings only. Note that if you are entitled to a 1-category room upgrade via FHR (etc) and a 2-category room upgrade as a Titanium GHA DISCOVERY member, those upgrades don't get added together to make a 3-category upgrade (!) - but you should still get the 2-category upgrade, subject to availability. TIP: to maximise your D$ earning you should really book direct with GHA or the brand because there will be cases, especially when booking a packaged rate through a travel agent or tour operator, where you will earn D$ at a reduced rate compared to booking direct.

kaizen7

The old GHA app was deactivated, however it seems like the new one still not up at Apple app store yet.

GHA_Insider

Yes, Apple have been taking a long time in their review, which is frustrating. But I'm told it should be available in the App Store today. Sorry for the delay.

The Android version is available already.

ozztraveller

I clicked on the Android version earlier and thought it looked different. Hopefully the Apple version will be available soon.
I am just glad my status level had no issues with the new website when it changed over as it showed black still in the beginning.

GHA_Insider

UPDATE: it's now live in the App Store.

escape4

I am glad to see GHA_Insider 's presence on FT It was great to have a GHA rep before but then it did not last which was a bummer.

Apple version now working for me, D$ balance is correct, and Titanium tier showing as well.

onetouchpass

I ran a small sample search and noticed not all hotels have the Local Offers. Is this by design or will every property have something added eventually?

GHA_Insider

They are all encouraged to create Local Offers and over time I expect that almost all hotels will have some available, although some hotels lack the facilities and outlets to provide them.

There will be many interesting programme developments over 2022 - this is only the beginning...

Rambluesky

I would like to ask some questions

First, Can I earn D$ if I only visit a hotel for a dinner and/or spa? I called a hotel in Bangkok and they said that to be eligible for D$, I have to charge all expense to room folio, meaning that I must stay overnight with them. Anyone can verify this info?

Second, From T&C
If my net eligible spend was 40USD, normally it would be 40*7% = around 2D$, but as the bold text suggested I will get the minimum of 5D$, right?


I asked these via support but there's no reply or assigned number whatsoever...so I think they may be very busy with all member asking for info...

GratefulSmile

Where's the bit about using hotel facilities? Did they quietly just not launch that. Was the only thing I was excited about with this.

GHA_Insider

The hotel is correct. Currently you can only earn or redeem D$ when you are staying at the hotel.

That's right.

These are being rolled out through Local Offers (more to come):
https://www.ghadiscovery.com/Local-Offers

Garreth Bales

The old benefits were definitely better. Feels like the elite status has been diluted so much. The early check in at 9am and late check out at 6pm was the best. I have 63 nights with GHA this year but seems like there will be a whole lot of people being awarded Titanium status now. So much for being loyal to them.. I wonder if the red status would mean anything? It's listed in the site but nothing on it at all