Hotel Check-In Process: Is a Physical Presence Required?
New and Improved 🚀
With many hotels lowering their 2021 elite requirements and offering limited-time promotions, it's the perfect time to strategize if you want to achieve hotel elite status this year. Here's a quick rundown:
- Hyatt's Bonus Journeys Promotion: Earn extra points and double elite nights for eligible stays through Feb. 28.
- Marriott Promotion: Starting Feb. 16, members can earn double points and elite night credits for stays of two nights or more through April 27.
Whenever you earn elite status, it will be valid through February 2023.
Let's address a question from TPG reader, Alex:
Checking into a hotel remotely 📱🏨
Before we dive into Alex's question, it's worth mentioning that he could save some cash by booking an award night and still earn an elite night credit. Most hotel chains offer mobile check-in/mobile key at select properties. While mobile check-in/mobile key availability has increased due to the pandemic, it's not universal yet.
Alex is lucky because Hilton will consistently issue you a mobile key without requiring a front desk visit. With Hyatt and Marriott, it's hit-or-miss, while IHG requires you to go to the front desk. However, there's a catch.
First, not every property fully utilizes the mobile key feature. If a hotel is experiencing technical difficulties, or if it's not a habitual user of the mobile key feature, you may still be required to visit the front desk and pick up your key manually. International properties, especially, usually require an in-person ID verification.
Even if everything goes smoothly, Alex may not get the elite night credit he's after. Hotels are aware of the mattress running practice, and Hilton has been known to monitor digital keys to see if they were ever used and denied/clawback elite nights from guests who clearly never entered the room they were supposed to be staying in.
Other chains likely do this as well, and they could technically close your loyalty account if they catch you doing this. This is a significant risk for Alex to take – the difference between Hilton Gold and Diamond status is substantial (according to TPG editors, it's about $1,800). It would be a pity to fall short by just a night or two because of a mattress run gone wrong.
Other ways to qualify for hotel elite status 🌐💳
A much easier and safer way for Alex to guarantee Hilton Diamond status would be by leveraging Hilton's cobranded credit card offerings.
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, for instance, automatically offers top-tier Hilton Diamond status to all cardholders for an annual fee of $450 (see rates and fees). You can more than recoup that expense with hundreds of dollars in annual statement credits, including:- An up to $250 annual airline incidental fee credit- A up to $250 annual Hilton resort credit at participating hotels- An up to $100 property credit on eligible stays of two nights or more at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad hotels
Add in a 150,000-point welcome offer (after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months) and a free night certificate on account opening and on your anniversary each year, and you have a pretty sweet deal.
Or, if you aren't sold on the Aspire, consider the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card with its $95 annual fee (see rates & fees). You'll get automatic Hilton Gold status to start, but you can upgrade to Diamond by spending $40,000 in a calendar year (since the Surpass offers 6x points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets, this can be a terrific opportunity for families with big grocery bills).
Bottom line 💡
Hilton is the only hotel chain where Alex might take the risk of mattress running from a distance, but it's a big risk to take, especially with a year of Diamond status on the line.
If you don't mind taking a risk, go ahead. If you'd rather avoid potential issues and still earn elite status, consider using credit cards or offering the room for charitable use. Safe travels! 🛫💫
- To boost your travel rewards, consider reading reviews of the best credit cards offering travel rewards, such as those that provide hotel elite status, like the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
- For comprehensive guides on maximizing your travel experiences, visit websites that feature lifestyle and technology content, covering topics like dining, hotels, and travel hacks.
- To learn about current promotions and earn travel rewards, stay updated on the latest news and reviews about credit cards, hotels, and dining offers.
- To make the most of your travel elite status, utilize the benefits offered by your card, such as extra points, double elite nights, and airport lounge access.
- To help you make informed decisions about your finances and travel plans, read news, reviews, and guides on managing credit cards and finances as part of your lifestyle and travel rewards strategy.
- To offset travel expenses and earn grocery rewards, consider using credit cards that offer points on grocery purchases, like the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, which can help you upgrade your hotel elite status.
