Hilton HHonors - Typical Hilton?

Let me preface this by saying that yes, I'm a newbie, but I've read enough not to be shocked by what I'm going through with Hilton, but I'm still surprised by it. Trying to book a stay at Hilton Hawaiian Village for three nights in February 2001. Have enough points for three free nights, but am considering using the 50% off standard rate discount. I go to the web site and find the standard rate at $220 night. Since I can't book on-line, I call the 800 HHonors number. Sure, they have availability on the nights I want. However, the price of the rooms is $355 a night if I want to use the Hhonors discount. They don't have the $220 available for HHonors 50% discount, even though it is an otherwise qualified rate. I was planning on using the 50% discount and saving the points for another stay somewhere else, but now may use them anyway. What gets me is that the 50% off only really is about 20% off the real rate of the rooms. Hilton, inspiring loyalty more and more.

Hi Wild Bill! Welcome. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Sadly, typical hotel! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Sorry! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

The 50% are not always available especially at Hawaii hotels which are basically high season year round. The only time I've stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village was last Nov when I got a rate of $190/night and extra $75 for a 10pm late checkout.

50% off awards are always off the "rack" or highest possible rate, in Hilton as well as other chains. Sometimes this comes out to a few dollars less than the lowest discount rate, sometimes not.

Yeah, Hilton definitely tries to get cute w/this stuff.

I booked a 6 nite stay in Prague using the same 50% off promo, for which I'll be paying $90usd per night when all is said and done. The price ain't bad when you consider the fact that I'll have an u/g room w/a dataport, windows that actually open, and daily breakfast (only because I asked for it and got an HHonors agent that knew what he was doing!).

The BEST available rate at the same time is around $125usd, so I don't feel terribly bad. It does, however, make me seriously consider the Radisson which has a better location, better rating, and better amenities for not much more $$$.

Cheers.

Prague Hilton is in a terrible location on the wrong side of the freeway. I recommend the Marriott, only a little over a year old.

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Yes and no, QuietLion. I have no great issue with the Prague Hilton's location, as most of my time is spent in Prague 5,7,8 and 12. I've never heard it being described as the "wrong side of the freeway"! I am also not willing to pay an additional $132usd to stay at a Marriott property, as the best rate currently offered by The Prague Marriott is 465dm or $222usd.

Thanks but NO thanks!

Cheers.

[This message has been edited by Atomic (edited 07-29-2000).]