It’s easy to see why. Hilton has properties everywhere and the quality of brands under their umbrella fit almost any type of traveler.

Hilton Gold and above are offered room upgrades with Diamond members eligible select suites, available at the time of checking in or buyable for the duration of their stay.

Have you ever wondered how often this happens? In our experience it can vary greatly and also how you ask for an upgrade will have a huge impact.

Hilton Honors Status Tiers

There are 4 levels of Hilton Honors membership, ranging from Blue to Diamond. When staying at Hilton properties, the better your status, the more privileges you will receive. Staying at hotels, collecting Hilton Honors points, and having certain Hilton Honors American Express cards are all ways to gain status.

Here are the various hotel tiers offered by Hilton Honors:

For more details about Hilton status you can expect at each level:

• Blue: Blue is the program’s entry-level, which everyone receives when they join. Members enjoy a free second guest, as well as late check-out and expedited check-out when available.
• Silver: Silver level is earned by Hilton Honors members who stay four times, for a total of ten nights, or who use the Hilton Honors American Express Card. You’ll also get a 20% bonus on any points you earn, a free fifth night when redeeming points, complimentary entrance to fitness centers, and two complimentary bottles of water per stay, in addition to all of the Blue perks.
• Gold: Members attain Gold level after 20 stays, 40 nights, 75,000 Honors base points, or having an eligible Hilton Credit Crd. Gold members receive an 80% bonus on all points earned, unlimited continental breakfast at participating Hilton hotels, and space-available upgrades to preferred rooms in addition to the Blue and Silver benefits.
• Diamond: Diamond level is obtained after 30 stays, 60 nights, earning 120,000 Honors base points, or having the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express. Diamond elite members receive a 100% point bonus and a 48-hour room guarantee for last-minute bookings, as well as the possibility to extend their status for an additional year if they are unable to requalify. In addition, diamond members have access to the executive-floor lounges at certain hotels and have access to member services 24 hours.

How Members Can Get Upgrades

Hilton has an official policy on upgrades and maintain the following statement regarding offering a better room.

We’ll do our best to upgrade your room (including Select Suites), based on availability at check-in. Upgrades are subject to availability identified by each hotel and limited to your personal guest room.

The good news is upgrades to rooms is available to all members Gold and above, with the higher status the better the odds.. The downside is it is totally up to the hotel’s discretion on whether to offer an upgrade.

Here are the official ways you can be upgraded at a Hilton property.

Complimentary Upgrades

Complimentary upgrades are entirely at a hotels discretion and a lot of factors play into whether they grant it or not. This includes but not limited to your status level, hotel capacity, and how many higher tier members are checking in. In fact some hotels also consider their house keeping capacity since a larger room will require more cleaning time upon check out.

A complimentary upgrade is what most people bank on when traveling to a property to keep their suite night awards and points save for a future trip.

• Here are some tips to consider to give you the best chance at getting an upgrade upon check in.
• Check the hotel capacity about a day or so from arrival to determine if higher rooms are available. This will help you understand if the hotel is full or if there are even rooms available to be upgraded into.
• Do not use the mobile check in feature on Hilton Honors App. In our experience once you check in this will assign you a room in the hotels system making it much more difficult to change your room upon checkin.
• Consider asking the hotel in advance via the Hilton Honors App chat feature and remember to be nice. Mention you noticed the space available and would like to be considered for an upgrade.
• Don’t forget to ask politely upon check in. Consider asking your check in agent if there is any chance for an upgrade and they will surely check the system.
• The last tip and by far the most important, be nice! Many times an upgrade is at the discretion of the check in agent and being nice goes a long way.

Lastly, consider the number of days you are planning to stay at a particular hotel. If it is a short stay you are much more likely to get an upgrade so you are not occupying a better room for a long period of time.

Upgrade Certificates (or lack there off)

Unfortunately, Hilton does not have a similar program to Marriott or Hyatt that offer upgrade certificates. These are one time passes that increase the odds of an upgrade, including suites, and are often the easiest way to ensure an upgraded room.

At Hilton, even the highest status does not earn a similar benefit.

Points / Cash Upgrade

After completing a booking with Hilton, Honors Gold and Diamond members are eligible for what Hilton calls “space-available room upgrades.” These are offered directly in your booking screen and will allow you a special price to move to a higher tier room.

You can also use your Hilton points to upgrade a paid or award stay rather than paying cash. Upgrades are charged in blocks of 5,000 points, subject to hotel availability, with some properties and rooms requiring multiple upgrade blocks.

In our experience we see this offered well in advance and sometimes right after booking. You may not know if you upgrade clears until closer to check in but will be notified directly by Hilton.

Travel Agent Rate Upgrades

Specifically for travel advisors Hilton has a program known as Hilton Impresario. Through this program you can receive perks when booking an eligible rate through a participating travel agent at almost all Conrad, LXR, or Waldorf Astoria properties.

When booking through a certified travel advisor, your chances of being upgraded are significantly greater. Complimentary upgrades are just one of the benefits you can receive, whether you have status or not.

Why do travel agent rates get qualified for upgrades? Hotels look at travel agents as part of their loyalty program to encourage them to recommend a particular property to all their clients.

This is why we always recommend booking luxury hotels with a travel agent.

Even if you have Hilton status it does benefit you to book with a travel agent and you will still retain your benefits and earn points for the stay.

Need a travel agent? Submit a booking request with Travel Season and we will pair you with a certified concierge

Summary & Takeaways

So exactly how often do Hilton Elite members get upgraded? Frankly, it depends. But if you follow the steps above you can increase your chance of scoring a complimentary upgrade on your next visit.

If you have found a strategy that works feel free to share with us in the comments and we will add it to the list.

The post How To Get Upgraded At Hilton Hotels appeared first on Travel Season.

Hilton has been a household name in the hospitality sector since 1927, with a portfolio of more than 540 hotels and resorts in 78 countries. Hilton hotels range from airport hotels to enormous destination resorts; regardless of the hotel you choose, you’ll get a signature Hilton bed in most Hilton’s locations.

Hilton hotels are particularly popular in New York, and there are numerous luxury Hilton options available. Here is a list of the best Hilton hotels in New York City to assist you in planning your next trip.

Waldorf Astoria New York

This iconic luxury hotel, located on Park Avenue in the heart of New York City, is ideal for both business and leisure excursions. Minibars, Lodgenet televisions, marble baths, and complimentary newspapers are all available in exquisite accommodations. Oscar’s American Brasserie, Peacock Alley, and Inagiku are just a few first-class restaurants on the premises. Go to the Bull & Bear Steakhouse and Bar for a couple of beers or mixed drinks after you’ve had your delicious cuisine. The city’s travel and transportation services can help you get around.

Return to the hotel for a calming session at the Guerlain Spa after a hectic day of sightseeing and roaming around the city. The hotel is suitable for visitors to New York who desire to live in luxury. Simply input your travel dates on our secure online booking form and submit to make a reservation at the Waldorf Astoria New York Hotel.

Check rates at Waldorf Astoria New York

New York Hilton Midtown

The New York Hilton Midtown, situated on the Avenue of the Americas, is a great place to stay if you’re visiting New York. Central Park, Broadway, MOMA, and Radio City Music Hall are all within walking distance of this hotel. The on-site restaurant, Herb N’ Kitchen, serves fresh and seasonal fare, and there’s an executive lounge with continental breakfast. It also has Midtown’s most extensive hotel fitness center for your workout routines. For a non-refundable charge, pets up to 75 pounds are allowed here. Massage, haircuts, facials, and nails are among the hotel’s in-room spa amenities. You’ll be right on the route of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade if you stay here over Thanksgiving!

The spacious and modern guestrooms at this luxury Hilton New York hotel provide a comfy work area. It includes high-speed Internet (wireless and wired), multiple-line phones with voicemail and data port, an alarm clock radio with MP3 connection, and in-room thermostat control. There’s also a 37-inch HD television, on-demand entertainment including HD movies and video games, a refreshment center, a roomy work area, a coffeemaker, and more freebies. There are also marble bathrooms and hairdryers available.

With the help of Hilton’s skilled event coordinators and customizable meeting packages, make your next meeting or conference stand out from the crowd. The Hilton New York caters to every occasion with targeted, individualized care, featuring 151,000 square feet of conference space.

The Hilton New York hotel also has two on-site restaurants, the New York Marketplace and the Etrusca Ristorante, serving a delicious combination of Italian and American food. Bridges and the Lobby Lounge serve specialty beverages and lighter cuisine. Of course, the wonderful restaurants and nightlife of New York City are right outside your door!

Check rates at New York Hilton Midtown

Hilton New York Fashion District

This boutique-style Hilton hotel in Chelsea is an LGBT-friendly option with elegant amenities in New York City. The Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, Broadway, and Times Square are all within walking distance of Hilton New York Fashion District. This is also a fantastic vacation spot if you want to visit the trendy neighborhoods of TriBeCa, Greenwich Village, or SoHo. The rooftop bar, business center, conference rooms, fitness facility, and restaurants are all available to guests.

Check rates at Hilton New York Fashion District

Hilton Times Square

Times Square is a great spot to be if you want to be in the thick of things in New York City. Because it is positioned in the middle of Times Square and rises 44 stories above Manhattan, the Luxury Hilton Times Square is a popular tourist destination. This luxury Hilton hotel is located on 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, only steps from Broadway theatre, shopping, dining, and nightlife. The hotel has a Zagat-rated restaurant and the Pinnacle Bar, and modern guest suites with spectacular views.

There’s also a gym, a 24-hour mini-market, meeting space, and parking facilities. You can even watch the ball drop from your room if you stay here on New Year’s Eve! Pets weighing up to 75 pounds are permitted for a charge.

Check rates at Hilton Times Square

Hilton Brooklyn New York

Stay at the Hilton Brooklyn New York if you want to be close to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. It is also close to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and the Brooklyn Bridge. Bus stops and subway lines are also close by. The Hilton Brooklyn offers luxurious rooms at 313 square feet and a fitness center, meeting space, free Wi-Fi, and on-site food and beverage options. Black Walnut is an on-site restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The hotel includes cribs, high chairs, children’s menus, and a family package, ideal for families.

Check rates at Hilton Brooklyn New York

Hilton Garden Inn New York / Manhattan Chelsea

The Hilton Garden Inn Chelsea hotel is located in the trendy and stylish Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. This luxury Hilton hotel is close to the city’s vibrant nightlife, award-winning restaurants, shopping, art, and a diverse range of enterprises.

The Hilton Garden Inn in New York has 169 rooms with a large work desk and free high-speed and wireless internet access. Each room has a hospitality center with a microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker. In addition, all rooms come equipped with an iron and ironing board and hair dryers. The hotel offers a complimentary business center that is open 24 hours a day. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all available at our restaurant, which provides evening room service.

Check rates at Hilton Garden Inn New York / Manhattan Chelsea

Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza

For those who want to be in the center of Manhattan’s Midtown District, the Millennium Hilton New York One UN is a popular choice. You’ll discover some of the city’s most spacious rooms and suites here, as well as proximity to the United Nations. In addition, an on-site restaurant, a 24-hour fitness facility, business centers, a lobby bar, and room service are all available at the hotel.

The hotel’s business center provides high-speed Internet access for a fee, as well as four computer terminals, faxing, copying, and secretarial services (fees apply). Inside the hotel, you’ll find a small spa where massage therapy is given. On the premises, there is a gift shop too.

Check rates at Millennium Hilton New York Downtown

Conrad New York Downtown

If you’re seeking luxurious lodgings, the Conrad New York Downtown is another wonderful option to redeem your Hilton Honors points. Modern luxury suites, a 15-story lobby, and a 10-story artwork by Sol LeWitt may all be found here. The 24-hour fitness facility, cribs and high chairs for children, complimentary shoe polish, and on-site barbershop are available to guests. The hotel features complimentary Wi-Fi and valet parking, as well as bedside reading material. The hotel welcomes dogs and offers a Poochi Pampered Pups service that includes dog walking, bowls, bandanas, and other pet-related services. This hotel is located in downtown Manhattan, close to world-class shopping and a variety of excellent restaurants.

Check rates at Conrad New York Downtown

The Quin Central Park by Hilton Club

The Quin Central Park by Hilton Club is located just two streets south of Central Park South and offers visitors large rooms. Private terraces are available in certain suites, and free Wi-Fi is available in all. This luxury Hilton property in New York City is located in Manhattan’s Midtown area, with easy access to public transit. A fitness center and an executive boardroom are also available on the premises.

Check rates at The Quin Central Park by Hilton Club

Hilton Garden Inn Times Square

Internet, fitness facility, business center, and other complementary services are available at this prime Times Square location. The Hilton Garden Inn Times Square is a trendy hotel in the middle of Times Square, only steps from Broadway theaters, Restaurant Row, the TKTS cheap theatrical ticket outlet, and 42nd Street. In addition, the Hilton Garden Inn Times Square is within walking distance of all main subway lines, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Central Park, Carnegie Hall, Jacob Javits Convention Center, the Museum of Modern Art, and Port Authority Bus Terminal, as well as all three regional airports. In 2014, the hotel completed a $9.5 million renovation that included all new bedrooms.

369 brand-new, larger, contemporary-styled guestrooms are available, each featuring a 42-inch LCD flat panel television, microwave, refrigerator, safe, coffeemaker, large work desk with ergonomic chair, as well as complimentary Internet access.

Check rates at Hilton Garden Inn Times Square

Hilton Garden Inn New York / West 35th Street

Internet, workout center, business center, and more are all available in this ideal Midtown location! Additionally, the Hilton Garden Inn New York/West 35th Street is within walking distance of the Empire State Building, Times Square, Broadway theatre, Fifth Avenue shopping, the world-famous Macy’s in Herald Square, and Madison Square Garden/Penn Station. It was completed in 2009 and is conveniently positioned in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, only steps from some of the city’s most prevalent attractions.

This Luxury Hilton hotel in New York City is located on West 35th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues; this ultra-modern hotel is close to many restaurants, bustling nightlife, New York City’s finest shopping and sightseeing.

All main subway lines are within walking distance of the hotel, including the Jacob Javits Convention Center, Grand Central Terminal, Port Authority Bus Terminal, and three regional airports.

The hotel has 298 modern bedrooms, each with a 32-inch LCD flat panel television, refrigerator, microwave, safe, coffeemaker, spacious work desk with ergonomic chair, and complimentary Internet connection with secure remote printing to the hotel’s Business Center.

Check rates at Hilton Garden Inn New York / West 35th Street

Hilton Garden Inn Queens / JFK Airport

The Hilton Garden Inn Queens, located less than a half-mile from JFK International Airport, is ideal for sports lovers. Belmont Race Track is four miles away, Citi Field and the USTA National Tennis Center are eight miles away, and Yankee Stadium is 14 miles away. Coney Island, 10 miles away, and Times Square, 15 miles away, are also worth visiting.

The Hilton offers an indoor pool, health club, business center, complimentary wireless Internet access throughout the property, and an around-the-clock airport shuttle. The Great American Grill, a casual restaurant in the hotel, serves American cuisine and provides room service during certain hours. Other dining alternatives in the area are plentiful. There are also ballroom, banquet, conference, and catering facilities available.

Check rates at Hilton Garden Inn Queens / JFK Airport

Summary and Takeaways

The Hilton Hotels in New York City are among the best in the world, which should come as no surprise. There are plenty of fantastic hotels to pick from, making your stay in the city even more enjoyable. Even better, the significant number of hotels that accept corporate codes offer discounted rates, making these rooms accessible to a wide range of company budgets.

If you know of a hotel that you believe is a Luxury Hilton Properties In New York City, please share your thoughts and comments in our comment section.

The post The Best Hilton Hotels In New York City appeared first on Travel Season.

For eligible participants, they can receive special room rates and other perks, however the program comes with it’s rules and restrictions as well.

The program is comprised of two different offerings for:

• Hilton Team Member Travel (employees only)
• Hilton Family and Friends rate.

Both programs are extremely generous in their rates and provide unique value across Hilton properties. All bookings for eligible team members as well as their authorized family and friends must each log in at the Go Hilton booking site with their own Hilton Honors sign-in and password to book and manage their reservations.

Here is everything you need to know about the program. 

Hilton Team Member Rates

The Hilton Team Member program is designed for active Team Member employees only and provides the largest discount rate Hilton offers. If you qualify expect to score significantly reduced nightly stays at some of Hiltons best properties around the world.

In order to book one of these reservations, they must be made on Hiltons dedicated Go Hilton Booking Site.

The program includes luxury high end groups under Hilton such as the Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels as well as lower tier hotels like Hilton Garden Inn, DoubleTree, and more. Each team member is eligible to book up to 30 nights of them every calendar year.

Team member rates also include breakfast for two outside of the Americas + a 50% discount on F&B expenses globally. In addition, employees don’t need to pay any resort or destination fees, but amenities covered by those charges must be made available to them.

See below the rates by brand as well as how to check availability.

Who qualifies for Go Hilton:

Members that qualify are current Hilton team members (full time, part time and seasonal employees) or owner club members (owns 25%+ of a Hilton property).

Team members who work a minimum of 20 years are eligible for these rates for the rest of their lives but cannot offer their Friends & Family benefits after leaving Hilton. Those that have worked 10 to 20 years are eligible for the Friends & Family rates for themselves after exiting.

If you don’t qualify for the above check out if your employers offers a Hilton Corporate Code and Discount.

Discounted rates by brand:

The table contains rates by hotel group subject to availability. Given the cash rates at some of these properties you will get the greatest discount on the higher tier hotels.

How to redeem rate:

All reservations must be made on Hiltons dedicated Go Hilton Booking Site.

Once you are logged in it will allow you to book special rates, add family and friends to your account, and track your yearly usage of discounted rates.

Booking Restrictions

Team members are allowed to reserve up to two Team Member rate rooms and two Family & Friends rate rooms at a time, for a total of up to four rooms per stay. The rooms can be booked for up to 7 consecutive nights.

The program does cap the number of rooms you can book annually but it is generous at up to 30 nights for team member rates and up to 70 room nights with Family & Friends rates per calendar year. This gives a total of 100 room nights per calendar year.

Tips For Finding Availability

While the discount tier is generous that doesn’t always mean a property will have availability. To secure a reservation here are some things to keep in mind.

Use the Flexible Dates feature: When you begin your search click the ‘My dates are flexible’ box that will let you see a calendar view of each hotel you select. This will easily allow you to see dates that an eligible night is availabe.

Mix and match rates: If you don’t see availability for all the days you want to stay you can make multiple reservations for various days. This will help you maximize the amount of dates that receive a discount.

Consider changing your dates: Consider traveling on different days if you do not see availability and try to book as early as possible. There is a chance that avaibility may change as you approach your travel dates so consider looking again within 60 days of arrival.

Hilton Friends and Family Rate

If you are not an employee of Hilton but you know someone that is then you are still in luck. Hilton has a Family & Friends program that can give approved members the ability to provide up to 30% off the nightly price at properties around the world.

Members will still need to log into the Go Hilton website and add Friends & Family to their account, which will allow those users to make F&F bookings via their own account. Once added the friend or family member will be able to log into the Go Hilton site with their own login.

Note that Friends and Family who book these rates do count towards the associate’s yearly maximum of 70 nights, but rates designated as EXTRA do not. Therefore, friends & Family members should book, by default, preferably the EXTRA rates that do not count to the total.

On any given stay Friends & Family members can book up to two rooms each for a maximum of seven nights.

The team member can monitor, at least, how many Friends & Family rooms have been consumed.

Who qualifies for this:

Members of Hilton Honors program (click here to join) and those that are approved by a Hilton team member who is registered for the TMTP.

Every Hilton Employee can go into their Go Hilton account and add a friend or family. They will also be able to monitor usage since every night counts towards a 70 night yearly limit.

Discounted rate:

The discount is up to 30% – 50% off the Best Available Rate or lowest advertised rate that is subject to the hotel’s standard cancellation policy. We don’t often see it actually being 50% but it’s easily the cheapest rate the hotel has to offer.

How to redeem rate:

To obtain your discount you have to have an active Hilton Honors account and be approved by a team member. Make sure you give your name and Hilton Honors number exactly as they appear on your account for approval to go through.

To sign up for a Hilton Honors account, visit HiltonHonors.com/join. After you receive approval all travel will be reserved on the Go Hilton Booking Site.

Once you select a hotel and view rates, a special rate will appear towards the top.

This is where you will want to select the Family and Friends rate. Notice that this rate only applies to standard rooms but can be up to 50% off the nightly rate or the cheapest rate available.

You may also come across a rate called “Extra” displayed in the same way as Family and Friends Rate.

If you do come across this rate it is actually preferred for you to book it because it will not count towards the yearly quota of discounts. Hotels will open up this extra rate when they have space available and the discount will be the same as the family and friends rate.

Food and Beverage Discount

The food and beverage discount is an additional perk for active Hilton Team Members on top of the reduced nightly rate. Expect to receive breakfast included for two outside of the Americas and elsewhere a discount of 50% on food and beverage on property. 

However, be aware it only applies to restaurants that are under the same management as the hotel, so double check and make sure the restaurant qualifies. 

Additional Benefits

Lastly, another great feature of this program is that they honor elite status and honors points. Meaning, you can also potentially get an upgrade and earn a points with your discounted rate!

How to use the Hilton Go Portal

Room availability varies and you will need to browse the GO Hilton portal to make all bookings.

Here is how you can use the portal to make your booking

• Login to the Go Hilton site using your Hilton Honors credentials.
• Browse through the destinations or holiday types, noting the availability in the top right hand corner of the property (TMTP or F&F or EXTRA).
• Ensure you are booking for the rate you qualify for
• Click through to the confirmation and make your booking!

Note: Rooms surplus may be offered via GO Hilton to friends and family as EXTRA rooms. These bookings do not count towards the team-member’s limit, but do earn Hilton Honors points and tier status.

Conclusion and takeways

Both rates of the Hilton Team Member Travel program offer outstanding savings and are a significant employee benefit. If you are not a Hilton employee, the benefits are so good that it would pay to scour your list friends and family to find someone who is one.

Note that when you arrive at the hotel, the authorized family/friends can travel without the authorizing Team Member when staying under their own Family & Friends rates. However, this is only if the family/friends make their own reservations by signing into the Go Hilton booking site with their own Hilton Honors account.

Even if you can only access the EXTRA friends and family deals…. saving 50% of the Best Available Rate is a HUGE discount!

For Hilton employees:

• Congratulations on getting these significant benefits from your employer
• This guide should help you to make the most of these valuable perks.
• Make sure you share the love with friends and family!

For more information about Hilton hotels visit our Hilton Discount Guide.

The post Go Hilton Team Member Family and Friends Travel Rates appeared first on Travel Season.

Hilton regularly introduces special offers and even includes a dedicated special offers pages on their website.

If you happen to time your travel right or be associated with any of their partner organizations you should definitely plan on taking advantage of of these discounts. The benefits can range from increase in points, free breakfast, or up to 30% off the regular nightly rate.

If you happen to know a Hilton employee or are one yourself, checkout our guide to Hilton Team Member Travel Program that offers by far their biggest discounts.

Depending on where and when you travel there won’t always be availability but if it’s a major city you are almost always likely to find space.

Hilton corporate rate discounts

If you work for a major corporation there is a high chance you book your hotels through a company portal or have a travel agent secure all reservations. With the corporate rate inserted on the backend a lot of times you may not even be aware of what your own companies code is.

At the request of our partners, we have removed corporate codes from this page. If your company has an eligible corporate rate you can still follow our guide on how to use them with various hotel partners.

Many companies have multiple rates with Hilton so make sure you try all the ones assigned to your given organization.

If you do not know your companies rate you can reach out to your company HR department to receive your discount code. If your company does not have a corporate rate with Hilton than you can begin the process of applying for one in the steps below.

Apply discount code into Hilton search

Hilton makes it straightforward to search using a corporate discount.

Simply navigate to the search bar on Hiltons website and expand the column titled “Special Rates”. You will see a dedicated section titled “Corporate Account” and here is where you will want to enter your code.

As soon as you enter your rate and click “Find a Hotel” all the results will be eligible for that rate.

Be sure to pay attention to the rate displayed in the search results to know you are actually booking with your corporate rate.

If a corporate discount is available at your given hotel you will see the name of your company listed under the current price of a room. If a corporate rate is not available at a given hotel the next best rate will be displayed such as “Honors Discount Advance Purchase”.

Note that each rate comes with different benefits and cancelation policies so make sure you chose the one that works best for you.

Compare preferred vs. direct rates

While corporate codes offer steep discounts they may not always be the best rate available at that given property. Make sure you compare your corporate rate with the standard nightly rate to double check you are getting a better deal.

There are a lot of reasons to why, but hotels may be running their own special deal making the standard rate lower than the corporate rate for a given night. We always recommend comparing your corporate rate to other promotions the hotel may be running directly.

To see if you are getting the best rate you will see a selection for “More Prices Available” underneath each room.

Once you select this option it will provide you with a breakout of all the rates available for that given night.

Hilton also offers the ability to package your deal by paying for parking, breakfast, or even increasing the points you receive per stay. Your preferred rate will always be located on the top but make sure you check all the options before making your selection.

In this example, the corporate rate is 15% cheaper per night than the hotel’s direct “Best Available Rate”. The corporate rate also comes with all the additional benefits during your stay as well as the ability to cancel one night before arrival.

However, this won’t always be the case as you can see in the example below.

In this scenario the corporate discount is actually more expensive than the Honors Discount even when you include breakfast. While we would suggest to not use your corporate rate in this situation it is entirely up to you to determine if the benefits are worth it.

Note, some corporations require you to use their corporate rate regardless if it is the cheapest available. This is to ensure proper accounting of hotel stays for all employees and to help negotiate their rates upon renewal. Check with your HR if you find cheaper rates that do not include your discount and they will guide you what to book.

Present identification upon arrival

This part can may not always happen but according to several hotel group’s official policy, a hotel must check ID to confirm your rate upon check in. Given how most Hilton are operated independently, we found this to vary wildly based on location.

Acceptable forms of identification include

• A badge or pass with the company name and picture
• A business card that includes your name and company
• An email address the hotel will confirm by sending you an email

In our experience, hotels in Asia tend to check ID almost 100% of the time but in North America and Europe, it has been less than 10%.

Recently many more hotels are making sure guests are eligible to use the corporate rate so be prepared to show one of the acceptable proofs of identification. If you are unable to provide proof of identification you will be charged the current daily rate, which at the last minute will often be much more expensive.

Who is eligible to use corporate rates?

This will vary by company but it’s not uncommon for full time employees, contract workers, consultants, or those affiliate with an organization to use a corporate rate. If you work for an organization on the list but are not aware if you are eligible seek out advice internally.

Often times if you are affiliated with an organization to obtain identification associating yourself with it that is usually enough for a hotel group to consider you eligible.

Hilton corporate discounts should also only be used when traveling for business. If you are planning leisure travel you may not be eligible to book on a corporate rate. It’s also no surprise that many hotels in vacation heavy destinations do not offer corporate discounts.

Note for booking you must be associated with the organization and authorized to do redeem the rate. Use the steps to see if you can receive a Hilton discount on your next booking.

What is included with a corporate rate?

A corporate rate is not always just a discount in room price, they often come with additional perks. In our experience the most common additional benefits include free wifi, breakfast, and at times more flexible checkout.

Another major benefit in booking with a corporate rate is the ability to cancel up until the last minute. Hilton typically offers the ability to cancel any corporate rate booking until 11:59 PM local hotel time the day before. This is a huge benefit as often plans change and allows you to make bookings without having travel plans fully confirmed.

Each property varies in what they offer business travelers so make sure you read the details before booking.

Companies that get the best rates at Hilton

Not all discounts are created equally and naturally some companies have negotiated better rates than others. The rate you receive is based on the amount of stays a company provides to a certain hotel leading to a better discounted rate.

Typically companies that travel the most such as Deloitte, IBM, Accenture, and At&t will get the best rates as well as have the most available hotels. If you are affiliated with any of these companies then you can expect the best rates at various properties around the world.

Hilton special offers page

Hilton regularly has special offers that vary throughout the season and can include increased points, free breakfast, or a Hilton Honors discount. You can see their current special offers on their website here.

The special offers from Hilton frequently change but if you have an upcoming trip it’s worthwhile to browse the latest to see if you qualify for a discount. Here are some of the most common Hilton offers we see on their special offers page.

2X Points Packages

Receive double the Hilton Honors Points each night of your stay at any participating property within the Hilton Portfolio. This offer is only eligible for Hilton Honors members but is available to those with any type of status.

Honors Discount Advance Purchase

Hilton provides honors members with the ability to save up to 20% off the Best Available Rate if you book in advance. This means you must pay for your reservation at booking and there is no cancellation allowed.

Breakfast Included Package

Hilton typically does not include breakfast in their standard rate and it provides you the option to book breakfast in advance for a discount. This means the rate will be slightly higher but can include breakfast even at top tier properties for an additional fee.

Park & Go

Hilton allows you to prepay for parking at a discount and also obtain shuttle service at select airports and cruise ports. This is a great way to save time and conveniently have your parking paid for prior to arrival. Note this rate will be slightly higher than the standard rate.

Up to 25% off stays in Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Hilton regularly introduces discounts on stays in certain regions of the world and it will typically be about 25% off the nightly rate. Often times these rates have an expiration so you will want to browse the Hilton special offers page prior to booking and book early.

Free Points With Purchase of Points

While not tied to a booking, Hilton regularly introduces the ability to boost your points balance when you purchase points from Hilton. While we don’t always recommend buying hotel points unless you have a specific booking in mind, Hilton will generally provide bonuses ranging from 50% – 80% extra.

Note these usually have an expiration date so you will want to check when you are ready to purchase.

Credit Card Benefits

In additional to special offers during stays, Hilton regularly has promotions through their branded credit cards with American Express. Given how valuable credit card points are and their ability to transfer to Hilton this can help you gain a significant amount of points or Diamond Hilton status vast.

If you are looking to open a Hilton branded credit card see our latest credit card offers here.

Additional Hilton Discounts

If you do not find a Hilton special offer that fits your needs and are not an employee of a company that has a rate with Hilton you still may be in luck to score a discount.

Here are other promotions you may be eligible for:

Hilton MVP Program and Code

The MVP program was designed for people traveling with sports teams or for sporting events. Hilton MVP (also called Hilton Family MVP Reservations) is a special discount of 20% on specific properties throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, and other countries in Latin America. There are a pretty large pool of people so you may be eligible to use this rate.

To find out more MVP rates can be access on Hiltons dedicated MVP page here.

Go Hilton team member family and friends

The “Go Hilton” Team Member program gives employees, friends, and families a discount on stays at properties around the world. Known as TMTP, it’s often regarded as the best employee discount program in the country due to its generous savings for members.

Members that qualify are current Hilton team members (full time, part time and seasonal employees) or owner club members (owns 25%+ of a Hilton property).

To find out more see our guide to the Go Hilton team member program.

Hilton Honors discount

Hilton also provides additional discounts to Hilton Honors Members making signing up well worth it. These rates will typically be better than the standard rate and make more sense to book while logged in.

There is nothing additional needed to gain access to these rates just ensure you are logged in when searching for hotel stays.

How To Negotiate A Corporate Rate At Hilton Hotels

If your company does not currently have a corporate rate with Hilton hotels you can negotiate one. Note you will need to negotiate with each Hilton hotel individually instead of Hilton as a whole so choose your locations and properties carefully.

The process is a bit informal but starts by sending an email to the corporate-programs office or directly to a hotel manager if you are a frequent visitor. The process for joining may vary by hotel but generally involves filling out an application indicating number of employees, expected stays, and additional details. Once agreed you will obtain a code that will enable you to see discounted rates on Marriott website and app when booking.

More Hotel Corporate Programs

Most major hotel chains have a corporate program and if you don’t find a relevant Hilton hotel in your desired destination you can try Marriott, IHG, or Hyatt. You can also browse all hotel corporate codes in our guide here.

Summary & Takeaways

Given Hilton hotels global footprint and vast corporate program it is a very popular choice for business travelers. Hilton offers many perks for some of their most loyal customers and corporate discounts are just one of the many offerings.

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