aliced

Spending 10 nights in Switzerland in early September -- booked first night in Lucerne trying to use points from US chain we frequent here on the road, nothing fancy. Reservations replied w/ "Warning: points only accepted from citizens of Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Croatia, Slovenia, etc." -- What is this?? US Reservations could not explain, but this applied to Lucerne, Interlaken, Montreux hotels. Yes, I realize they are independently owned and operated, but if they list by this chain's name and derive customers therefrom, it would seem they would accept points from us USA citizens. Your experience?

Dukey1

OK, obviously you need to name the chain and why aren't you doing so? How else will we know if this is an isolated event or otherwise?

joannyc

I've stayed at Marriotts in Zurich and Lucerne using points.

aliced

Thank you Joannyc, will pursue... Dukey, obviously I do not need to name the chain as have asked for your experience, but would be happy to identify Best Western. No, it won't matter for our plans, but if it's "international" I cannot understand the shun to certain citizens (who spend lots of $$ there and in other contries). We have only stayed in one Best Western in our foreign travels which happened to be in Madrid, it was booked through agent, so got points added to account (eventually). Surprising...

janisj

>>obviously I do not need to name the chain as have asked for your experience, but would be happy to identify Best Western. <<

Well- first of all best Western isn't a 'chain'. It is individually owned properties that market together.

>> I cannot understand the shun to certain citizens (who spend lots of $$ there and in other contries<<

jeezlouise -there are all sorts of similar limitations all over the world. Heck -you can't buy DisneyLand discount season passes unless you live in certain Southern Calif zip codes. Millions of other Californians, Americans, and foreign visitors spend LOTS of $$$$ there but can't get the deals.

Same for certain rail tickets in parts of Europe, or student discounts, or lots ofother things.

If you don't like it stay elsewhere . . .

joannyc

Aliced, call BW Rewards service center. You should be able to redeem your points worldwide according to their website"s FAQ.

janisj

Yes, the website says points can be used "worldwide". But it doesn't say they can be redemed <u>everywhere</u> worldwide. In fact they carefully don't say >>Yes, you can use your points in every country/property<<

>><blue>Are there restrictions on where I can redeem my points for hotel stays?

You can redeem your points for hotel stays worldwide in over 80 different countries. Free nights range from 8,000 to 36,000 points, depending on the property type and location. Best Western Rewards® members must have the necessary number of points to complete a free night based on the hotel’s individual point tier level. Search for hotels using your Best Western Rewards® points. Should you not have the required amount of points for the stay upon arrival, you will be required to pay the prevailing rate. </blue><<

aliced

Ok, tempest in a teapot: Best Western Switzerland says they accept reward points from US citizens and through worldwide reservation dept; however, BW Resv (800# in USA) still said they cannot 'guarantee' a hotel will accept points, hence the 'warning'-- this is not what I was told last week. Finally, I wrote the hotel directly without any BW or other online booking reference, and they replied, YES, they will take my points, of which we have plenty. You stay at these properties because of points accumulated to use somehow/somewhere, ditto for timeshare here so you can swap to there, advertised as such, etc. Thanks all.

joannyc

Very glad that it worked out for you!