Hilton HHonors - Thinking of Switching from Starwood to HHonors

The subject says it all....

I am a Platinum (top level) with Starwood and I'm thinking of switching over to Hilton. I stay practically year-round in hotels so this is a serious undertaking for me. However, with point inflation at Starwood and the amount of time it takes to accumulate points for a free stay, the HHonors awards seem easier to obtain.

Now a few questions...

1) How easy is it to use your awards at Premium properties??

2) How is the track record for top-tier HHonors members to get upgrades, amenity, etc.??

3) Anyone been with Starwood and switched and would never go back??

Thanks in advance,
Jbird

jbird, I am BOTH Hilton Diamond VIP and Starwood Platinum. I switched to Starwood late last year.

The "inflation" on Premium properties effective 2001 is only for a period of 3 months of the year. The rest of the year, the point requirements for these premium properties are lesser than the current point requirements. Talk about inflation, have you seen the latest HHonors award structure?

In my experience, the use of HHonors points on premium properties are significantly more difficult as compared to Starwood. This might explain why my account balance on my HHonors account is still in the hundreds of thousands. I actually have a hard time keeping a balance on my Starwood account since it is so easy to book rooms, e.g., I recently booked 6 nights at the Princeville Hotel in Kauai for September with no problems. If you're into skiing, you can forget Hilton. They've sold most (if not all) their ski properties. With Starwood, you have the opportunity of staying at luxurious ski resorts such as the Westin in Whistler, BC (slopeside). As for beach resorts, I still like the Starwood selections. Granted that I haven't stayed at a lot of Hilton beach resorts but just compare the Sheraton Moana or Royal Hawaiian and the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. How about the choices of premium properties in all the Hawaiian islands? Starwood has more to offer!

Amenities-- I know Starwood properties are not reliable with regards to providing those Platinum amenity kits but they are consistent with room upgrades which is more meaningful for me. With Hilton, I sometimes forget that I am a Diamond VIP. I seldom get room upgrades and more often than not, I have to remind the front desk agent to give me access to the concierge lounge/floor.

Now that I totally sound like a Starwood employee (which I am not) in a shameless promotion mode, my recommendation would be to stay with Starwood. I did the switch from Hilton to Starwood last year when Hilton was letting me down. I haven't regretted it. Sure, I've stayed in some Hilton properties this year as a Diamond VIP (not by my own choice). However, I am still happier with Starwood.

HHonors reservations told me that they only put aside a few rooms for rewards at their very popular premium destinations (e.g., Waikoloa Village on the Big Island). She said it would be wise to book approximately one year in advance. I've had reasonable success with international Hiltons in Paris and Cannes (a few months in advance). I have recently tried for London in November, 2000 and nothing is available (within 6 miles of center city despite several properties.

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Jeff

Jbird,

I don’t understand why you want to switch to HH? .. as a platinum member I thing you have to do whatever it takes to keep your status .. there is nothing like starwood program. It is simply the best ..

I am starwood platinum and hilton gold .. I am telling you all my stays are at starwood ,none at hilton so far. Why? .. sure I cant resist the suites that I got on every stay .. the service and the ability to redeem my points when ever and where ever I want. I don’t think that there award structure is high.. just consider all the bonus points that you can get around the year and there great promotions.

I am not saying that I am not staying at hilton because they are bad .. hilton has a great program too and great service (that’s my experience last year) , as a gold member I had a 100% success on upgrades .. service was great too .. there is nothing wrong with hilton at all ,but starwood is better .. that’s why I am with them.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the responses!!

I agree that Starwood is a great program, but I was curious to see if I was missing something at Hilton. I still might try a stay or two with Hilton to check it out. I'm sure Starwood won't miss me for a few weeks.

Thanks for the insight on award bookings. That was my main thrust for possibly switching. With Starwood if there is no promotion going on, it takes about 10 stays to get 1 free night in Europe or a premier Hawaiin property. Hilton looked a lot easier, but not if you can't ever use the points as has been mentioned in this thread.

I just wish that Starwood had more opportunities to earn extra points.

Thanks again...

Jbird

iLuvParis wrote> HHonors reservations
> told me that they only put aside a
> few rooms for rewards at their very
> popular premium destinations (e.g.,
> Waikoloa Village on the Big Island).

CALL THE HOTEL DIRECTLY.

HHonors told me the same thing within
the past few days. I called Waikoloa
directly and calmly explained that I am
interested in cashing in 2-3 of the (ALON?)
awards. It took here about 1 minute to
get agreement. She did ask for my HHonor
acct nbr; so perhaps I am getting a bit
of leeway as a Diamond - I didn't ask.

Now, if only I could find F-seats ... )-;

-doug