Government rate - I.D. required

[leemin]

Now that I'm HHonours Gold thanks to DJ, I've been doing a bit of investigating into Hilton hotels. Normally only stay at hotels for one night and Hilton seems to generally be a bit more than I'd normally pay for a bed (often use Quest for ~$170 mark).
However, the Government rate seems to put Hilton more or less in the same ballpark as Quest's etc. My question is; what ID do Hilton actually want to be eligible for the Gov rate?

P.s. I'm not trying to be a scammer - For my sins, I do have an email address that ends in ".vic.gov.au"

 

[Moopere]

My question is; what ID do Hilton actually want to be eligible for the Gov rate?

Mmm. I'd write to hhonors in Sydney, I've always had a great and fast response to my queries from them.

This is the deal from the Hilton website:

"
9. What ID do you need to have to get the government rate?
The Federal Government rate is for those employed by The Federal Government or the US Military. They will be required to show proper identification, Government issued ID or Military Travel Papers upon check-in at the hotel. Please note that the State Government rate for state employees is for the hotels in the state in which they are employed. State Government ID will be required at check-in. The Contractor rate is for any government contractor working on behalf of a Government Agency or the Military. Contractor ID will be required at check-in. Some hotels do not accept the Federal Government/State Government/Contractor rate, so check with the hotel directly"

But its pretty US centric. You'd like to think that if you just transposed Australian for Federal or US above that all would be well, but it may not be the case.

 

[serfty]

Reports of FT indicate that most of the time ID is not requested on check-in; however it does happen from time to time.

Indications are that most forms of public service id's are ok.

Note that if you ID is rejected for the booking you may need to pay the prevailing rate that day.

 

[dfcatch]

The Australian government rules are different to the US ones.

You are supposed to have some form of government ID at Checkin.

Australian government ID will only allow you to use the government rate at Hilton Asia Pacific which includes Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

Ie. You can not use Australian government ID to get the government rate in the US.

I'm 50/50 for being asked for ID.
Usually the first time you stay at a particular hotel using the rate is the most likely to be asked. Subsequent stays are hit and miss for being checked. If you don't have ID, and you get caught out - as Serfty says - be prepared to pay the prevailing rate in full.

Any official Federal/state/emergency service ID should count.

Each department will have an official protocol as to which ID to present. It should be published in the internal staff intranet or similar for your particular department.

 

[drross]

On the rare occasion I've stay on a government rate, haven't been asked for ID

 

[leemin]

Received a reply email today:

Good Afternoon jlm,

Thank you for your email, when it comes to Government reservations all we need to see on check-in is valid ID that you work for a Government institute.
We prefer photo ID.

Doesn't seem like it's all that strict, as long as you've got something to show them.

 

[BVT]

Reports of FT indicate that most of the time ID is not requested on check-in; however it does happen from time to time.

Indications are that most forms of public service id's are ok.

Note that if you ID is rejected for the booking you may need to pay the prevailing rate that day.

This has been my experience at Hiltons. While I am not a Government employee, I do work for a not for profit and Hilton have always extended the Government rate.

 

[albatross710]

Recently when I took advantage of a Marriott rate that I had picked up off the relevant FT thread I was asked for the co-branded card upon which the rate was based. I just said it was packed in my bag and I'd bring it down later. I never got around to taking it down and they never asked.

From the agents point of view how are they going to win if they dispute your eligibility. They are taking the path of maximum customer satisfaction. a gentle approach and leaving the guest happy.

 

[beardoc]

This has been my experience at Hiltons. While I am not a Government employee, I do work for a not for profit and Hilton have always extended the Government rate.

Is this permitted? I work for a nonprofit as well, so would be very keen to know this for sure.

 

[Kefci2000]

The Australian government rules are different to the US ones.

You are supposed to have some form of government ID at Checkin.

Australian government ID will only allow you to use the government rate at Hilton Asia Pacific which includes Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

Ie. You can not use Australian government ID to get the government rate in the US.

I'm 50/50 for being asked for ID.
Usually the first time you stay at a particular hotel using the rate is the most likely to be asked. Subsequent stays are hit and miss for being checked. If you don't have ID, and you get caught out - as Serfty says - be prepared to pay the prevailing rate in full.

Any official Federal/state/emergency service ID should count.

Each department will have an official protocol as to which ID to present. It should be published in the internal staff intranet or similar for your particular department.

I work for a Victorian outer government agency and I asked Hilton directly if we could use Govt rates in USA.......

Thank you for your inquiry regarding government rate. We appreciate you taking the time to contact us.

U.S. and International government and military employees are eligible for special rates at participating Hilton Hotels Corporation hotels and Hilton International hotels. Please note that only active duty personnel are eligible for a government rate. The government rate does not apply if the guest is attending a group or convention.

 

[drross]

thanks. that's pretty clear

 

[Kefci2000]

thanks. that's pretty clear

I am also trying to clarify what form of ID they will accept as I do not have any formal Govt ID.

Being outer Govt I only have business cards (and a security fob!!).

I think I will take a copy of the legislation (act of parliament) that enacts our firm (PDF on IPad) and point them to our website.

Will let you know once I have a response.

 

[drross]

I am also trying to clarify what form of ID they will accept as I do not have any formal Govt ID.

Being outer Govt I only have business cards (and a security fob!!).

I think I will take a copy of the legislation (act of parliament) that enacts our firm (PDF on IPad) and point them to our website.

Will let you know once I have a response.

thanks again.

 

[Kefci2000]

I am also trying to clarify what form of ID they will accept as I do not have any formal Govt ID.

Being outer Govt I only have business cards (and a security fob!!).

I think I will take a copy of the legislation (act of parliament) that enacts our firm (PDF on IPad) and point them to our website.

Will let you know once I have a response.

I have been corresponding with John Yasbeck at Hilton NY East, and he is happy to extend the Governement rate based on the info I gave him (who we are, which act of parliament etc).

My preference is Hilton midtown but no specials or Govt rate there.....

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'd always assumed the Gov't rate was for people on Gov't business. Seems from the above, any public servant (and contractors) can use this rate.....for personal trips??

My wife is a nurse (with state gov't ID).......acceptable??
I'm a state gov't accredited private industry worker (with state gov't ID), but in this role, not employed in any way, shape or form by the gov't (just regulated by them)........acceptable??
I'm also a TAFE teacher (with state gov't ID) directly employed by the gov't........acceptable??

From what has gone before in this tread, it would seem that any of our IDs are acceptable for the Gov't rate in any Hilton group hotel worldwide that accepts Gov't rates. If so, that opens a whole new dimension to my accommodation rates that have gone previously unexplored.

 

[Kefci2000]

I'd always assumed the Gov't rate was for people on Gov't business. Seems from the above, any public servant (and contractors) can use this rate.....for personal trips??

My wife is a nurse (with state gov't ID).......acceptable??
I'm a state gov't accredited private industry worker (with state gov't ID), but in this role, not employed in any way, shape or form by the gov't (just regulated by them)........acceptable??
I'm also a TAFE teacher (with state gov't ID) directly employed by the gov't........acceptable??

From what has gone before in this tread, it would seem that any of our IDs are acceptable for the Gov't rate in any Hilton group hotel worldwide that accepts Gov't rates. If so, that opens a whole new dimension to my accommodation rates that have gone previously unexplored.

There is no reason they would not assume you are there for a medical conference??

There appears to be many levels of government rates, federal, state and local, with federal being the most flexible.

I am not sure which we would qualify for as the rate John quoted me did not correspond to any Govt rates on Hilton website.

 

[Kefci2000]

There is no reason they would not assume you are there for a medical conference??

There appears to be many levels of government rates, federal, state and local, with federal being the most flexible.

I am not sure which we would qualify for as the rate John quoted me did not correspond to any Govt rates on Hilton website.

Please note that the rate offered is the same as the "State Government" rate on the Hilton website and can be booked online

 

[Keith009]

I attempted to take advantage of Govt rates in a past life as a State EO. However I was advised that I had to be travelling for work, and the Govt rate isn't eligible for personal travel. This could have changed since. We haven't attempted to book Govt rates with the OH's status as an APS employee.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I looked at Gov't rates for a booking, but it was considerably dearer than Best Available Rate......never mind the better AP rates and AAA rates, so I'm wondering why bother?

 

[BVT]

Is this permitted? I work for a nonprofit as well, so would be very keen to know this for sure.

I telephoned the property directly to ask if I could take advantge of the Government rate. At check in when asked for ID - that I did not have on me in any event - I told them it had been approved already. No probem.