2nd Guest Free via Amex Global Business Travel

[wookie192]

Hi,

I know there’s threads about the 2nd guest free topic but I couldn’t find an answer to the below.

I have access (via my work) to the Amex Global Business Travel site which I use to book all my travel/hotels etc… I often find booking Hilton hotels via the amex site are a hell of a lot cheaper (sometimes £100/night cheaper for London (and they’re just for a room and pay now no cancellation). Where as via the amex site it includes free full buffet breakfast, no prepayment and can cancel for free 1 day before arrival. I’ve used this in the past for personal bookings (paid using personal card) due to the cost savings.

I’m looking for booking a mini weekend getaway to Spain and again the hotel prices are cheaper via Amex Global Business Travel than booking direct with Hilton. The great thing with this is is that my Hilton honours card is linked to every booking. So my question is… If I was to book for 1 adult with breakfast included, then will my partner (2nd guest) still be free and breakfast provided for her too even though I’ve booked for 1 with breakfast and also the fact it’s booked via Amex Global Business Travel?

It’s the amex global business travel booking I’m not sure about.

Thanks you.

[Rob]

As I see it … it it’s a ‘qualifying’ rate which earns points, then all benefits from status also apply. This would include breakfast.

A bigger issue may be if the hotel charges more for 2 people than for 1, and what happens then if you turn up with someone.

[John]

2nd guest free never applies to breakfast inclusive rates if you book them directly, it only applies when the hotel charges more for a second person with the room only.

However Rob seems to think status benefits apply to your Amex rates.

In practice the restaurant staff are never going to care if you turn up with a second person having booked for one, it’s extremely rare that the breakfast list even includes that information.

The front desk may care, particularly in Spain as they need to register your passports.

[SamG]

@Rob is correct, corporate rates are often negotiated on the basis of 1 traveller. It’ll be YMMV as to what will happen at the hotel but I have heard recently of a hotel charging another £50 for an additional guest that was gained during the course of a night out ! They are usually qualifying rated for status but you do need to be careful if your Amex portal is like ours, it pulls in multiple sources of rates e.g. Expedia, booking.com and those wouldn’t be.

You should also double check your employer doesn’t mind you using the portal for personal use. Ours doesn’t allow it, you can only use a negotiated rate by booking directly with the hotel