I can first-hand answer this.

Top status: in Hilton 60 nights, but IHG need 70 nights (or will the company allow you to buy/expense the cost of buying status-earning points on a stay 120k pts)? Hilton easier by nights, IHG easier if can buy those points whilst on a stay particularly at upper-end brands which offer 5k status-earning points

Lounges: generally depends on level of hotel that your company allows you to book, and ofc what level of properties exist where you travel to.
Hilton -- website on each property, displays icons including for Executive Lounge ...and "search criteria" for properties includes Exec Lounge
IHG -- written several times to IHG: CEO-level, regional Guest Relations, Rewards Dept and they : i. don;t have Lounge in search criteria ii. don't have a list of properties of Lounges ... i've switched mostly from IHG to Marriott ....workers at properties good, but IHG's Exec Mgmt just doesn't put features into its reservation system, also systems terrible eg. very poor integration with Mr & Mrs Smith which they lost to Hyatt

I have the same question: is destination fee waived on award stays?

Another question: my father (Diamond) will be using his points to make a booking for me (Gold). Will my award booking be associated with his or my Hilton Honors # and status? If the former, will I be entitled to Diamond benefits for the stay?

I didnt get any bonus offer for the current �buy points�-promotion, always gotten a offer before. Is this common to not get any offer at all?

My points are expiring soon, and I assume that I can buy points to keep my account active, but wanted to just confirm before I bought them. Thank you.

Yes, that would keep them from expiring

Sorry if asked before, but are all Resorts properties stays ineligible for points?

I stayed a week ago at a resort property (Grand Vacations Club MarBrisa in Carlsbad CA). Not because I wanted the resort facilities (which TBH were sub-par), but because I was working locally, and it worked. Regular revenue stay booked through my travel company.

My account shows 0 for points, and a little information note saying, 'Your stay must qualify as eligible to earn points'. Clicking on the link for eligibility, I see exclusions for resort properties, if you're on a promotional stay (e.g. want to be sold timeshare etc.?). AFAIK my stay was just regular, so I should have gotten credit, right?

There is no restriction on resorts. I think it is likely because it was booked through a third party, not directly with Hilton

Thanks. I'll follow up.

Just noticed my points and night also didn�t post and the stay was booked using Hilton app and was over mid-February. It really is bad that it does not work automatically

Kind of newbie here, very basic question.

Can I book two award nights with award certificates, and then use points to book another 2 nights, and ask for a fifth free night? In case there is availability, of course.

Imagine if property X has a standard award room at 150,000 points. I could use 300,000 points and 2 award nights certificates and book 5 free nights. Is that possible?

AFAIK the 5th free night comes only when you book 5 free nights in a row with points and they will only charge you points for 4 nights.

How do you get free night certificates?

No, the certs don't count for 5th night free

Oh thats a shame. Thank you

Unfortunately, you cannot mix points with free night certificates and get the 5th night free.

I would like to ask whether, when booking as a Gold status member, the price is lower than with Silver status?

My question is related to the fact that I want to make a reservation and at the same time take advantage of the challenge match to Gold. If I make the reservation as a Silver member, but on the day of check-in I already have Gold status, will I receive Gold benefits even though I made the booking while still having Silver status?

Additionally, in Garden Inn hotels, does Gold status include free breakfast?