Author Topic: Using Hotel's Loyalty/Frequent Guest Program Points during CCI  (Read 7318 times)

Offline carmitch

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Hi all,

I just found out that, if I get passes during resales, that my friend may be able to use his father's hotel loyalty/frequent guest points to get him and I a room for CCI.  (His dad works for the oil industry in DFW and travels A LOT.)

Does anyone know if the SD hotels would allow this during that weekend, due to the high demand?  This would be the only way, I figured, to get a room near the convention center.  (I can't stay too far from it, due to disability and depending on bus/Trolley that weekend.)

Offline Trev

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Re: Using Hotel's Loyalty/Frequent Guest Program Points during CCI
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2012, 12:56:00 AM »
Two of my friends used to be able to use their highest tier status to get a room close to the con *if* they booked it a year out. This year the closest they could get was out at the airport and not on a shuttle - it seems like the hotels close in aren't holding award rooms now that cci is committing the entire hotel.  Hotels only have a certain number of reward rooms they can use if avail.

If you are willing to drive or cab from a hotel farther out you can probably get a room. anything close is probably not gonna happen at this point.

One thing you might consider is using points to upgrade. Last year I was able to use elite status, some points, and a little cash to get upgraded to a suite at a close in hotel when I decided to bring the family along at the last minute.

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Offline Khaaaaaaanh!!!

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Re: Using Hotel's Loyalty/Frequent Guest Program Points during CCI
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2012, 07:55:44 AM »
I've never had any success trying to use rewards points - they just don't save any rooms for that. I've had friends in higher up positions w/ hotels and they've tried making reservations using their benefits and they get denied as well.  Basically the hotels only want "paid" guests... =/
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Offline gingerjenjen

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Re: Using Hotel's Loyalty/Frequent Guest Program Points during CCI
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2012, 05:07:30 PM »
My brother travels across the country every week, so he has a lot of points. He booked us a room for SDCC a few months ago at a hotel about 8 minutes from the con, but it seems that now it is near impossible to get a hotel as close as the one he got. I'd say the best thing to do would be to book a room at least 5 months prior and then hope to get tickets. If you wait too much longer than that, the hotels become unavailable. Granted, that won't help this year, but maybe for next year.  ;) The good thing is he can refund the room if we can't make it.

Offline alyssa

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Re: Using Hotel's Loyalty/Frequent Guest Program Points during CCI
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2012, 06:09:31 PM »
i think the key to any cheap/rewards program and sdcc is to book early before they figure out when sdcc is.  I've got a hotel room for 7 nights for about $500 only because i booked early.
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Offline Transmute Jun

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Re: Using Hotel's Loyalty/Frequent Guest Program Points during CCI
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2012, 07:29:17 PM »
Problem is, most hotels won't let you book more than 11 months in advance... and by then they all know when SDCC is.

Offline alyssa

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Re: Using Hotel's Loyalty/Frequent Guest Program Points during CCI
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2012, 07:45:43 PM »
of course, the hotels i'm talking about are the Ramada's & the like.  the chain, 2 star type of hotels.  When i looked last Aug most of the rooms were $70/nite ish, now those same rooms are going for $120/nite ish.

I don't know about the closer, 3-4 star types :)
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Offline carmitch

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Re: Using Hotel's Loyalty/Frequent Guest Program Points during CCI
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2012, 11:26:13 PM »
Damn!  Well, there goes that idea!  Thanks, all, for the info.

Offline Transmute Jun

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Re: Using Hotel's Loyalty/Frequent Guest Program Points during CCI
« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2012, 12:26:46 PM »
If anyone wants to try booking waaaaaay in advance, the 2013 COmic COn will be back to the third week in July.

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Offline alyssa

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Re: Using Hotel's Loyalty/Frequent Guest Program Points during CCI
« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2012, 04:55:43 PM »
i will be looking for my 2013 hotel as soon as they open up, usually just after i get back from the 2012 Con.
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Offline Transmute Jun

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Re: Using Hotel's Loyalty/Frequent Guest Program Points during CCI
« Reply #10 on: March 21, 2012, 05:11:26 PM »
That's what I do. I check the hotel direct websites every day until booking opens up. This year they didn't open booking until February/March. But I got my rooms and that's what matters.