Hilton HHonors - I'm gold but hilton properties don't know it

I recently became a gold member through the Gold Challenge. However, I've made a couple of reservations since becoming gold and the hotels pull me up on their computer as a silver member. And, earlier in December, I was pulled up as a blue member even though I had been silver for months. The Hilton Honors website has me listed as gold but no one else seems to. Anyone else have this problem or know how to fix it? Thanks ahead of time for your help!

Contact Adam Burke who is with Hilton and who regularly makes comments/replies to inquiries posted on this page. His e-mail is adam_burke@hilton.com

[This message has been edited by DOC 2 BE (edited 01-05-2001).]

Don't know how to fix it but while you're waiting for the update you could print out a copy of your status from the web site and either fax/email it to the hotel or take it with you when you check-in.

Recently, I showed my old Silver card and the desk agent looked at it oddly and informed me I was gold. I told him I was still waiting for the card. He gave me the upgrade (Palmer House Hilton).
Charles

Sorry for bringing an old topic forward,but this is exactly my experience. The HHonors website shows me as Gold but I haven't received a card yet (still Silver).

Ten days ago, I stayed at Hilton Toronto and got no "gold" treatment -- in fact, I had to pay C$20 to have breakfast in the executive lounge (meeting a colleague who was staying on exec floor). Since I didn't have any "proof" of gold, I didn't challenge the charge.

Tonight, I checked into the Hilton Boston Logan. They had my HHonors number in advance. I got a nicer corner room, but no mention of breakfast on the executive floor and I certainly wasn't upgraded there. Again, I gave them my silver card 'cause it's all I have, and haven't figured out a tactful way to say "but I'm gold,actually."

The printout idea is a good one, but in case I can't find a printer before tomorrow night at a Doubletree in Atlanta...any suggestions?

Originally posted by ka9taw:
Sorry for bringing an old topic forward,but this is exactly my experience. The HHonors website shows me as Gold but I haven't received a card yet (still Silver).

Ten days ago, I stayed at Hilton Toronto and got no "gold" treatment -- in fact, I had to pay C$20 to have breakfast in the executive lounge (meeting a colleague who was staying on exec floor). Since I didn't have any "proof" of gold, I didn't challenge the charge.

Tonight, I checked into the Hilton Boston Logan. They had my HHonors number in advance. I got a nicer corner room, but no mention of breakfast on the executive floor and I certainly wasn't upgraded there. Again, I gave them my silver card 'cause it's all I have, and haven't figured out a tactful way to say "but I'm gold,actually."

The printout idea is a good one, but in case I can't find a printer before tomorrow night at a Doubletree in Atlanta...any suggestions?

You might call the 1-800-HHONORS line and ask them to put a note in your reservation record that you are gold. They should certainly know your correct status (it's showing on the website, right?) and may very well be willing to point it out to the hotel for you without you having to make a fuss at check-in.

That said, sometimes even when I hand my gold card to the desk clerk, the only way I get my breakfast is to ask for it. Even if your reservation says that you are gold you may need to ask for what you are entitled to. Good luck.

I had an interesting experience at a Doubletree in Tucson. I stayed last Wednesday and got a nice room on the executive floor including a welcome gift in the room. I returned to this hotel on Saturday and handed them my gold card and said, "This is who I am, let me get my credit card for you." I then dug around somewhat unnecessarily for a minute for my credit card. This gives them a chance to see you are gold without looking pretentious by just dropping your card on the counter (or at least this is my theory). In this case, the clerk told the other person working to change my room to one on the executive level and he then picked up the phone and told someone to go to my room and that I was a gold (presumably to deliver my gift). So, even though I was gold in the computer, until I presented my card it apparently didn't mean anything on Saturday while it did on Wednesday!! Go figure.

TravelWeary..... Similar to you I hand them my Gold VIP card and a Gold credit card at the same time and say ' Hi..I have a reservation" Most desk staff take both cards and examine them both as they look so alike. They are obviously looking for the credit card but can't help notice the Gold VIP card they now hold in their hand. I always ask if they have an executive lounge, whether I know or not and if the answer is yes 'can I use it?' followed by 'does that mean breakfast is included?' If you request a late check out on your departure day this can also alert them to your gold status. Also as indicated by someone on the board yesterday, I try to book on line and type in the comments/special requests box, ‘Guest is a Gold VIP. Free upgrade if available.’ The hotel doesn’t always see this until your arrival but as it is on their screen when they check you in it is another point in your favour. Seems to work most of the time for me anyway. Shame that members can’t have what they are entitled to without all of this.

I have never had a problem being recognized as a Gold VIP with Hilton even before I got my card. When I recently made Diamond, my first 2 stays were within 3 days of the change, and both hotels had my new upgraded status.

Again if you have problems, just email Mr. Burke--he's great!!



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Regards,

Art from ISP

Thanks all for the responses.

So, tonight at checkin at this Doubletree, I handed him my silver card and said "I think my status changed to gold a few weeks ago" and indeed it showed up "Gold" on the little rate slip he had me sign.

Hard to tell if I got a room upgrade or not since they're all suites here, but no offer or mention of breakfast. I'll grab breakfast in the morning and then ask about it being included or not if it's on my bill at checkout.

I am hilton gold. The Christiana Hilton in
delaware will not upgrade nor give bkfst cert unless you specifically ask for same, and then they give you "the look". When I noted this to the desk clerk, his response was,
"Well you stayed in a regular room the last time you were here".

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Downtown St. Paul Embassy Suites is the worst w/ the status (Diamond, but recorded as Blue) and the "Embassy Touch"...and the SAME desk clerk has checked me in nearly every week since October.