I've been a regular flyer for some 30 odd years and am currently lifetime gold and platinum with QF as well as platinum with United and on my way to platinum with Emirates. And as someone working in the trade press, I get a fair bit of my travels covered by clients or trade fairs.
While the FF and status credits are allocated to the traveller, regardless of who makes or pays for the booking, the hotel system seems to be totally different. You need to book with the hotel directly or you don't get any credits or points. Am I wrong there? Is there another way?
You're not wrong there - that's how most hotel elite programs work. In fact, apart from not earning points or status, you'll often find you can't even get any elite status benefits if the stay is not booked direct.
You can still get eligible bookings made by third parties such as corporate travel agents, but they have to book hotels directly through the GDS for it to count.
If they book any other way including through wholesalers, then the booking most likely won't be eligible for earning or using status.
One tip I have is that if you need to book hotels via third-parties (in ways that cause some chains to avoid giving points), Hyatt normally awards points and status on those third-party bookings, whereas programs like Hilton and Accor don't.
For example, I recently booked a Hyatt Centric property via Expedia, and used a discount code - I figured that I didn't have any status with Hyatt anyway, so no real need to book direct and I may as well pocket the discount - but subsequently earned spendable points, nights, base points (for status), and a 'brand explorer' tick (stay with 5 brands, get one free night) in World of Hyatt. I thought this might have been a mistake, but looked into it, and Hyatt is different from the others in that regard.
One tip I have is that if you need to book hotels via third-parties (in ways that cause some chains to avoid giving points), Hyatt normally awards points and status on those third-party bookings, whereas programs like Hilton and Accor don't.
For example, I recently booked a Hyatt Centric property via Expedia, and used a discount code - I figured that I didn't have any status with Hyatt anyway, so no real need to book direct and I may as well pocket the discount - but subsequently earned spendable points, nights, base points (for status), and a 'brand explorer' tick (stay with 5 brands, get one free night) in World of Hyatt. I thought this might have been a mistake, but looked into it, and Hyatt is different from the others in that regard.
I book certain properties via hotels.com and I earn 'free' (its really heavily discounted) nights through them and because I book a certain property often, it does come in handy.
All my hotel bookings are through the company designated travel agent. I get the points and staus from all my stays expect for PGR (GHA group). Thats's Rydges Park Royal etc. I get grief from one particular hotel in the group where I have to insist on my welcome drink and dining discount, even though I have been assured by the head office that I am entilted to it. Anyway I am looking forward to spending my points with one group for free rooms for a week in Scotland.
One tip I have is that if you need to book hotels via third-parties (in ways that cause some chains to avoid giving points), Hyatt normally awards points and status on those third-party bookings, whereas programs like Hilton and Accor don't.
For example, I recently booked a Hyatt Centric property via Expedia, and used a discount code - I figured that I didn't have any status with Hyatt anyway, so no real need to book direct and I may as well pocket the discount - but subsequently earned spendable points, nights, base points (for status), and a 'brand explorer' tick (stay with 5 brands, get one free night) in World of Hyatt. I thought this might have been a mistake, but looked into it, and Hyatt is different from the others in that regard.
I book certain properties via hotels.com and I earn 'free' (its really heavily discounted) nights through them and because I book a certain property often, it does come in handy.
A word of warning. I've found in many cases where hotels . com offer the "free nights" bonus, direct booking with the hotel worked a a sizeable amount cheaper and overall I wasn't better off especially if you take into account not getting hotel chain loyalty bonuses.
When a travel agent books hotel rooms, if they're booking the hotel's direct rates (or even if they are negotiated corporate rates)., you should always get your points. The problem is when your travel agency is something like FlightCentre or they're using their agency to book wholesaler rates - they actually sell you the exact same price point as you could get booking direct, but they are getting up to a 25% commission (or mark-up to the customer) by booking those rates. Those rates are usually not eligible to earn hotel points.
Generally, if you're booking through an agency, it's better to use an agency that is booking direct inventory vs. an agency that uses wholesale inventory - some agencies even book expedia inventory if they are using Egencia as their booking tool.
If you have the option of booking your hotels directly, that's the only way to 100% guarantee you'll get your points.
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Airline Status vs Hotel Status
Ozmichel
Ozmichel
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 18 Jan 2017
Total posts 9
I've been a regular flyer for some 30 odd years and am currently lifetime gold and platinum with QF as well as platinum with United and on my way to platinum with Emirates.
And as someone working in the trade press, I get a fair bit of my travels covered by clients or trade fairs.
Brandon Loo
Brandon Loo
Member since 10 Jul 2018
Total posts 105
You're not wrong there - that's how most hotel elite programs work. In fact, apart from not earning points or status, you'll often find you can't even get any elite status benefits if the stay is not booked direct.
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
One tip I have is that if you need to book hotels via third-parties (in ways that cause some chains to avoid giving points), Hyatt normally awards points and status on those third-party bookings, whereas programs like Hilton and Accor don't.
For example, I recently booked a Hyatt Centric property via Expedia, and used a discount code - I figured that I didn't have any status with Hyatt anyway, so no real need to book direct and I may as well pocket the discount - but subsequently earned spendable points, nights, base points (for status), and a 'brand explorer' tick (stay with 5 brands, get one free night) in World of Hyatt. I thought this might have been a mistake, but looked into it, and Hyatt is different from the others in that regard.
Ozmichel
Ozmichel
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 18 Jan 2017
Total posts 9
For example, I recently booked a Hyatt Centric property via Expedia, and used a discount code - I figured that I didn't have any status with Hyatt anyway, so no real need to book direct and I may as well pocket the discount - but subsequently earned spendable points, nights, base points (for status), and a 'brand explorer' tick (stay with 5 brands, get one free night) in World of Hyatt. I thought this might have been a mistake, but looked into it, and Hyatt is different from the others in that regard.
I book certain properties via hotels.com and I earn 'free' (its really heavily discounted) nights through them and because I book a certain property often, it does come in handy.
aatuti
aatuti
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 30 Oct 2018
Total posts 7
I found this out recently also. I do a lot of bookings through Booking.com and found Hilton and Accor wouldn't credit the system. Pain really.
adamkps
adamkps
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 22 May 2015
Total posts 3
Accor hotels booked through agents do earn points.
EdS
EdS
QF
Member since 21 Jul 2016
Total posts 25
All my hotel bookings are through the company designated travel agent. I get the points and staus from all my stays expect for PGR (GHA group). Thats's Rydges Park Royal etc. I get grief from one particular hotel in the group where I have to insist on my welcome drink and dining discount, even though I have been assured by the head office that I am entilted to it. Anyway I am looking forward to spending my points with one group for free rooms for a week in Scotland.
EdS
EdS
QF
Member since 21 Jul 2016
Total posts 25
Add free car hire days.
worldwanderer
worldwanderer
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 13 Jan 2017
Total posts 17
For example, I recently booked a Hyatt Centric property via Expedia, and used a discount code - I figured that I didn't have any status with Hyatt anyway, so no real need to book direct and I may as well pocket the discount - but subsequently earned spendable points, nights, base points (for status), and a 'brand explorer' tick (stay with 5 brands, get one free night) in World of Hyatt. I thought this might have been a mistake, but looked into it, and Hyatt is different from the others in that regard.
A word of warning. I've found in many cases where hotels . com offer the "free nights" bonus, direct booking with the hotel worked a a sizeable amount cheaper and overall I wasn't better off especially if you take into account not getting hotel chain loyalty bonuses.
bhatnasx
bhatnasx
American Airlines - AAdvantage
Member since 13 May 2017
Total posts 1
When a travel agent books hotel rooms, if they're booking the hotel's direct rates (or even if they are negotiated corporate rates)., you should always get your points. The problem is when your travel agency is something like FlightCentre or they're using their agency to book wholesaler rates - they actually sell you the exact same price point as you could get booking direct, but they are getting up to a 25% commission (or mark-up to the customer) by booking those rates. Those rates are usually not eligible to earn hotel points.
If you have the option of booking your hotels directly, that's the only way to 100% guarantee you'll get your points.