GHA DISCOVERY members can now share D$ for free

GHA DISCOVERY has added a new feature which allows members to transfer and pool D$ among themselves.

This is a great development, insofar as it minimises orphan D$ and makes it possible for couples to combine D$ and book stays with the higher status account. Best of all, D$ transfers are free, and there’s no restriction on who you can transfer them to (i.e. it’s not a “redemption nominee” system).

How GHA DISCOVERY D$ transfers work

GHA DISCOVERY members can now share D$ with each other via the GHA mobile app (the feature has not been added to the desktop website yet).

The following restrictions apply:

• A minimum of D$10 must be transferred in a single transaction
• A maximum of D$500 can be transferred in a single transaction
• Members may make up to two transfers per day
• Transfers of D$ are free
• All D$ transfers are final and cannot be reversed (though obviously, the receiving member could transfer the D$ straight back to you)

The expiry dates of transferred D$ will be the same after the transfer has taken place, and the D$ expiring the earliest in the sender’s account will be automatically selected first for the transfer. In other words, this isn’t a sneaky way of getting an extension on your D$ validity, so earn and burn accordingly!

To transfer D$, open the GHA DISCOVERY mobile app and tap on My Card at the bottom.

Tap on the Transfer D$ button, enter the recipient’s membership number and last name, and you’re done. 

Transfers will be processed immediately. 

When would you use this feature?

There are a few scenarios where I could see D$ transfers coming in handy:

1. When one member has a small D$ balance that isn’t worth a stay in and of itself, he/she can transfer that to a more well-endowed family member to use
2. When a couple both have D$ but only one of them has GHA DISCOVERY elite status; simply transfer the D$ to the elite member and book using his/her account
3. A couple can “tag team” on the various GHA promotions where bonuses are limited to one per account, then combine them for a future redemption

Needless to say, this also raises the possibility of D$ being bought or sold, which is presumably against the T&Cs of the DISCOVERY programme. I imagine GHA may do periodic audits of accounts that send or receive an unusual number of D$ and take action accordingly. 

How are D$ earned?

GHA introduced the D$ system in 2021, which replaced the previous “stay 1 earn 1” system of local experiences. 

The earn rate and validity of D$ depends on your GHA tier:

D$ can be earned or redeemed on the following expenses:

Only stays booked through the GHA website or official hotel websites/channels will be eligible to earn D$. 

As a reminder, D$1= US$1 at GHA properties worldwide, and a minimum of D$10 must be spent in a single transaction.

It’s currently only possible to use D$ during a stay, at the front desk of a hotel. You cannot redeem D$ online, nor can you spend them on F&B or spa treatments when not an in-house guest. GHA says they are working to add such functionality, but there is no timeline yet as to when it’ll be available.

It is possible to use D$ on prepaid stays however, insofar as the hotel doesn’t actually charge your card at the time of booking (you’d be surprised, many “prepaid stays” aren’t actually charged until check-in). My advice would be to contact the hotel beforehand, let them know you want to book a prepaid rate with D$, and ask them how to proceed.

Conclusion

GHA DISCOVERY members can now transfer D$ freely among themselves with no fees, which is a nifty little feature without much fuss. 

Don’t forget that GHA recently extended all elite status tiers from 2022 for another year, regardless of qualifying activity. That gives you more time to enjoy your perks on upcoming stays.