Hilton HHonors - HHonors Plans For Million Pointers & Exclusive Diamond Opportunities

Back on June 7, Jeff Diskin, an executive from Hilton HHonors said in response to DoggyDaddy during chat:

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">DoggyDaddy:
Jeff, any plans for any "million pointers" at HHonors?

Jeff Diskin:
Well, the answer is yes and no. We are going to do something for million pointers, but as a thank you for getting there, not something that we'll publicize as an incentive to do so. If you have a million points Doggy, you'll be hearing from us.
</font>

In addition, the following question was asked by sa_boy:

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">sa_boy:
You always seem to be having new promotions to attract people. What are you doing for your diamond members? I have not seen one promotion just for diamond members?

Jeff Diskin:
Sa-Boy, that is a good point. We don't often run promotions just for Diamonds, but instead are looking for ways to offer individuals special opportunities to do things with us. And we are trying to attract new people, no question, but, most of our promotions are open to everyone... Like this summer's Double Miles with a twist... Sorry for that commercial break...but get Double Miles with all our partners...and Double Points too if you charge with the Amex card! Sa-Boy, we will give consideration to Diamond exclusives, however, that we can communicate to the elite membership. Thanks for the suggestion.</font>

I would like to follow up and see what has been offered in response to these questions... Anybody?

Chix-
I've got over a million HHonors points and haven't received anything special. I did, however, call the HHonors Elite line for reservations in Hawaii during Christmas using points and was told first that there weren't any rooms available using points. Then, the agent, after realizing I was a Diamond member, said there was since they hold open rooms for Diamond members. Don't know if that's something new or not.

Diamond members dont have blackouts

------------------
www.MyPriceLine.com (http://www.MyPriceLine.com)-a message board where others share winning airfare, hotel, or car rental bids from priceline.com.

&gt; 1,000,000 Honors points ... you'll be
&gt; hearing from us.

Really? Not my experience. 1,072,843 and
climbing.

-drr

In due time? We hope! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I would assume that Mr. Diskin is referring to HHonors members that have achieved over 1M rather than those that have 1M in their account?

If you have over 1M in your account, doesn't that mean you have acheived over 1M? Or do you mean somthing else?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Empress:
If you have over 1M in your account, doesn't that mean you have acheived over 1M? Or do you mean somthing else?</font>

I believe that "1M achieved" is used by Sweet Willie as "earned since joining the program", which does not necessarily mean one has current balance of 1M or more.

Has anyone heard anything on this? I'm at 920K (all stays) and am considering redeeming a big number of points if this statement is a snowjob.

Thanks all.

Just because you have a million points in your account doesn't mean that they were all accumulated through Hilton stays. Although I have well over 1 million points in my account, about 25% was garnered through the Rewards Exchange program... so if Hilton is going to do something special for million pointers, they need to make sure that it is all earned!

Beat this funny fact: I have a colleague (after two profile updates I tipped him about) that's at 999,998 HH points. I bet he wished he had taken an extra beer from that minibar on hist last stay... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

1M for HHonors is really nothing compared to 1M for airlines. It's amazing how many points you can rack up when your company books you in Avenue of America's Hilton in Midtown Manhattan!

Once again, does anyone have any specific details regarding this comment made by Mr. Diskin.

I'm not looking for a comment comparing Airline miles vs. Hotel program points, unless they specifically relate to this subject.

Yes Afang, I'm sure that some people on this board have run up big bills and seen large numbers of points for specific stays.

Weren't off subject comments like this the reason that you said goodbye to another board recently?

Is Going Global new? I don't remember seeing this category under Gold.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jukebox:
Is Going Global new? I don't remember seeing this category under Gold.</font>

No, it's not new. Look under the "VIP-Only Vacation Rewards" (http://www.hilton.com/en/hhonors/rewards/vip.jhtml).

&lt;Edited for a typo&gt;



[This message has been edited by Eugene (edited 11-25-2001).]

My take on Mr. Diskin's statement is that he might have had intentions to do something for folks with 1MM points. Perhaps he made a proposal and it was shot down. Maybe he thought about it for awhile and decided on no action. Whatever, getting a million points with this program is not really a big deal and does not merit an extra bonus.

Too many points in some of the programs can be unhealthy. For Hilton, my preference is to keep the balance at about 500,000. Meaning it's time to cash in 400,000 points soon.

What ever happened to doc?

Lets ask what happened to the plans?

I had talks in August on a reception Hilton hosted with somebody who should know and got the information that they have plans for the next year

to establish a level beyond Diamond open partly on stays, partly on invitation,
to allow general world wide lounge access to all Diamonds
to stop the general upgrades and lounge access for Golds
to introduce further opportunities to spend points.

He was still very much unclear about the details but made very clear that they are aware that Hilton has to do something for the very top tiers.

This is got to be a record ... 6 year old thread.:(

mike

I had talks in August on a reception Hilton hosted with somebody who should know and got the information that they have plans for the next year

to establish a level beyond Diamond open partly on stays, partly on invitation,
to allow general world wide lounge access to all Diamonds
to stop the general upgrades and lounge access for Golds
to introduce further opportunities to spend points.

He was still very much unclear about the details but made very clear that they are aware that Hilton has to do something for the very top tiers.

(bolding mine)

I hope you are right - because right now, Hilton gives me little incentive to make diamond rather than stay at gold.

Okay folks, here's the Million Point Question (Horrible pun, I apologize):

If Hilton created a level beyond Hilton HHonors Diamond, what incentives would you like it to include??

Flying Lawyer, thanks for that!

I am sure as many members will be unhappy as those who would be happy to hear this - and I am among the latter, as it seems to devalue my being Diamond all three ways by my missing perks because Golds are checking in earlier, for example. I have a relative who makes Gold by the skin of her teeth annually, and gets as many benefits much of the year as I do. WTH? No animosity towards her, but I think HH can do better by us by further defining the status groups.

i think it would be great if Hilton changed the situation to ,

Diamond can always acess the lounge.
Diamond get always an Executive room
Diamonds can book award with really no blackout or capacity control
Diamonds can book awards without having the points in their accounts.
Diamonds can do whatevery they want :D

Golds can only get lounge acess if they have an executive room , but if all diamonds get an executive room i dont think that gold will get lounge acess to often...

I have accumulated over two million HH points, and recently got an invitation to request any one of these gifts (all I assume valued around $300):
Apple iPod Video
Bose QuietComfort Headphone
Ping G5 Titanium (Golf) Driver
Sierra Cashmere Throw
Tumi 22" Carryon.

My wife, also a Diamond but not even close to one million, did not get the invitation. I asked HHONORS if she is eligible, and was told no--she was not "targeted".

i think it would be great if Hilton changed the situation to ,

Diamond can always acess the lounge.
Diamond get always an Executive room
Diamonds can book award with really no blackout or capacity control
Diamonds can book awards without having the points in their accounts.
Diamonds can do whatevery they want :D

Golds can only get lounge acess if they have an executive room , but if all diamonds get an executive room i dont think that gold will get lounge acess to often...

I think 1-4 are solid. While I am in favor of 5, I think its possibility for passing are shaky.

However, I have an even larger question: With Silver, Gold and Diamond taken, and Platinum worn out by every airline, hotel and credit card scheme in the world, what will they CALL this tier?

However, I have an even larger question: With Silver, Gold and Diamond taken, and Platinum worn out by every airline, hotel and credit card scheme in the world, what will they CALL this tier?

How about Onyx, maybe Presidents Club, or just plain old Hilton Resident Member?

1mm points really isnt that much. I just started with Hilton in January 2007 and between stays and credit card purchases I have just over 500,000 points in just 9 months. However I would not complain if they did somthing for the 1mm guys since I will be there by Feb-March 2008:).

As for upgrades, I think they should take Continental airlines stance on it but with shorter windows to allow them to sell the room first (got to be fair I own stock)

Diamond - best upgrade (suite or exec.) 5 Days out
Gold - best upgrade 3 days out
Silver - Is it really necessary they only need 4 qfs. Be happy you get a 15% bonus.

I've earned a few million points during the 20+ years I've been a HH member - I'm not sure I've ever actually had over 1,000,000 points in my account at any one time though. I like to use them for free stays.
I guess if people want to sit on the points and not use them, Hilton may as well throw them a bone - I like to use them for free nights at very expensive rooms in Rome or Paris.

(bolding mine)

I hope you are right - because right now, Hilton gives me little incentive to make diamond rather than stay at gold.

Doesn't the Diamond Force (at sold out hotels) and the Diamond award availability (at hotels that show no availability for the rest of us) make that tier worth it? In fact, of the three big programs, HH Diamond already seems to me like the most incremental value over Gold - mainly due to the ability to get award rooms. I'd probably put SPG Plat #2 because it sounds like those guys really do get some nice upgrades.

I'm a MR Plat. I notice very little different from Gold. Granted, I'm generally happy with the Marriotts I visit most often, but I never see the inside of a true suite and I have the same award availability as anyone else. The main difference is the welcome amenity. Sometimes I wish I had concentrated on HH in the past 1-2 years instead of MR, but I would have had to suffer through some subpar properties to get there as my business travel is in pretty weak HH cities.

Instead of improving the Diamond benefits, the talk is of improving the accessibility of Diamond benefits by taking away the Gold benefits. This sounds like a recipe for Hilton to alienate the Golds who earn it.

Doesn't the Diamond Force (at sold out hotels) and the Diamond award availability (at hotels that show no availability for the rest of us) make that tier worth it? In fact, of the three big programs, HH Diamond already seems to me like the most incremental value over Gold - mainly due to the ability to get award rooms. I'd probably put SPG Plat #2 because it sounds like those guys really do get some nice upgrades.

I'm a MR Plat. I notice very little different from Gold. Granted, I'm generally happy with the Marriotts I visit most often, but I never see the inside of a true suite and I have the same award availability as anyone else. The main difference is the welcome amenity. Sometimes I wish I had concentrated on HH in the past 1-2 years instead of MR, but I would have had to suffer through some subpar properties to get there as my business travel is in pretty weak HH cities.

The only reason Diamond has ever mattered to me is because of the ability to use my HHonors points. That was sufficient reason to get me to go from Gold to Diamond. The "no blackout dates" for Golds is just marketing garbage that has practically no relevance when the capacity controls for award nights remain for Golds but don't exist for Diamonds.

Where Hilton IMHO is missing the boat are the suite upgrades. They really need to have a complimentary upgrade to suites - based on availability at check in - for their top tier members.

Instead of improving the Diamond benefits, the talk is of improving the accessibility of Diamond benefits by taking away the Gold benefits. This sounds like a recipe for Hilton to alienate the Golds who earn it.

This is not fully correct. It is certainly improving the goodies for Diamonds in "the rest of the world" to get lounge access no matter what room type you are in. They were pretty clear that it was a mistake to inflate Gold and they could only do the one thing this is to change Gold to a more a less entry status. And they were certainly very clear about the even higher tier. The idea appears to be to establish something like HON circle on LH.

I am currently a 3m miler with Hilton thanks to the latest triple point promotion and several expensice NVY stays and during the last months I got certain valuable incentives from Hilton money cannot buy.

This is not fully correct. It is certainly improving the goodies for Diamonds in "the rest of the world" to get lounge access no matter what room type you are in. They were pretty clear that it was a mistake to inflate Gold and they could only do the one thing this is to change Gold to a more a less entry status. And they were certainly very clear about the even higher tier. The idea appears to be to establish something like HON circle on LH.

I am currently a 3m miler with Hilton thanks to the latest triple point promotion and several expensice NVY stays and during the last months I got certain valuable incentives from Hilton money cannot buy.

i would fall under the "HON" categorie with hilton, while i have reduced my business with Hilton this year if they bring something like a new status i might do more with hilton again.

but i dont think that hilton does need a "hon" status at all.

giving lounge acess to diamonds worldwide
giving 100% redeemable award rooms anytime , anyday of the year (not only standard but if there is any room available you get it , maybe as a diamond force)

if you give us perks we can really use this would be better than yet creating another status which would devaluate the general Diamond/gold / silver status.

i dont know if hilton hotels have so many suites that they could upgrade everybody to a suite, well this would be great , but i doubt that this will happen.

just do something for the diamond status and we are happy right??

dp

just do something for the diamond status and we are happy right??
dp

In general correct, but it is easier to do more for a smaller group. I was very much impressed by their efforts to entertain me and if they follow this route (and at least reinstall the former perks to a full extend) I would be even more happy. :p

Where Hilton IMHO is missing the boat are the suite upgrades. They really need to have a complimentary upgrade to suites - based on availability at check in - for their top tier members.

The only time that I am interested in a suite is when I am traveling with my family on vacation. Otherwise I could not care less.

As a Diamond i would be more than happy with:

1. Guaranteed club access worldwide irrespective of rate paid;
2. Upgrade to Executive Floor if avail;able at the time of check-in OR 7500 honors points in lieu;
3. Welcome amenity
4. Guaranteed award availability ("Diamond Force") as at present.

If the program moved to true unlimited redemption for Diamonds - any room type - the "payout" from HHonors to the properties would have to skyrocket. By definition, the incremental rooms getting booked would be the highest-demand periods, highest-revenue rooms. So if the properties can't sell those, they'll need to be getting several hundred dollars per night from HHonors - not the much smaller amount they currently get.

(I believe this is a key reason that Starwood's guarantee is limited to standard rooms and also allows an "out" for major global events like Olympics, Super Bowl, etc.)

So in order to support this, they'd have to radically change the earning/redemption levels. One thing I like about HHonors now is that I can earn 25-30% "value" back on my revenue stays before promotions. With Starwood, even an elite earning 5 points per dollar is realistically pulling 15-20% before promotions.

It's a trade-off: maybe good for some, not for others. To me, it seems like today's system is good enough for Diamonds that if they start pulling various levers, you might end up with "benefits" that are weaker than today's set of perks. (Start with an increase in rebellious properties that try to duck the system.)

The only time that I am interested in a suite is when I am traveling with my family on vacation. Otherwise I could not care less.

As a Diamond i would be more than happy with:

1. Guaranteed club access worldwide irrespective of rate paid;
2. Upgrade to Executive Floor if avail;able at the time of check-in OR 7500 honors points in lieu;
3. Welcome amenity
4. Guaranteed award availability ("Diamond Force") as at present.

It is understandable that people have different priorities. Because I practically live at hotels (more than 300+ nights per year) I would go crazy sans the suite upgrades. The lounge access is nice but most of the time it doesn't fit my schedule i.e. the evening happy hours is normally way too early.

Personally I really like the IHG's Royal Ambassador program for InterContinental hotels.


Guaranteed 8AM check in
Guaranteed 4PM check out
Complimentary minibar
Guaranteed suite upgrade or executive room (it is a suite unless all sold/reserved)
Welcome amenity

Is there some way to find Hilton points earned to date, like AA's "Program to Date" tally?

In general correct, but it is easier to do more for a smaller group. I was very much impressed by their efforts to entertain me and if they follow this route (and at least reinstall the former perks to a full extend) I would be even more happy. :p

but making diamond meaningless just to entertain us "ueber diamonds" doesnt make sense.

i dont find hilton that bad usually, you know the upgrade is to a executive room for a diamond not a suite.

you get 16pm late checkout
you get spouse stays free

if we could redeem our points whenever we want that would be the real deal!

dp

The reality of life is that irregardless of what they do....we'll still have good hotels and bad hotels with the Hilton brand name.

Some hotels treat Hilton's best customers like they are their best customers....some (like the majority of the UK hiltons) treat Hilton's best customers like they are a problem to have at their hotel. This won't change.

Personally I'd like them to simply offer free breakfast and an upgrade (and lounge access) if it is available. Keep everything else the same (water, using health club, etc). And then JUST ENFORCE IT!!!

I find it amazing that they allow the current deviations by hotels...especially those with the Hilton brand as the name. Good treatment leads to me frequenting the hotel more often...bad (and very bad) treatment leads me to try everything possible to not have to be in that area.

you get spouse stays free


Frankly, this should be true at any level of the program. I've always thought it odd that they would charge anyone - regardless of their affiliation with HHonors - extra for bringing their spouse!

Frankly, this should be true at any level of the program. I've always thought it odd that they would charge anyone - regardless of their affiliation with HHonors - extra for bringing their spouse!


I agree, thats not a perk.

I consider "spouse stays free' a significant perk in the international market. In Japan, for example, the second person can send the price up $50 and more.

Instead of improving the Diamond benefits, the talk is of improving the accessibility of Diamond benefits by taking away the Gold benefits. This sounds like a recipe for Hilton to alienate the Golds who earn it.

Indeed, impressed by Hilton Gold, I've been moving many (though certainly not all) stays from SPG to HH. If they devalue Gold as much as it sounds like, it'll certainly turn me the other way.

I know Diamonds will applaud the move, but the reality is there are a lot of Golds who have gotten used to a level of treatment and if that disappears it will cause a lot of 1) resentment followed by 2) defection. They must carefully consider that outcome.

I'm not sure I see the need for any changes. I've been Gold and I've been Diamond and I still see a difference between how each is treated.

As for uberDiamond, I added up my redemptions and find that, despite 4 hard years of travel, I've only accumulated (and spent) about 750,000 HH points. Alas, I found FT too late and spread my seed across the many chains, so to speak, in my early days. I have no idea why HH would perceive more value in your point balance than your lifetime basepoint earnings.

I consider "spouse stays free' a significant perk in the international market. In Japan, for example, the second person can send the price up $50 and more.

My only point earlier is that it shouldn't. For anyone of any level in the program... But yes, I realize that some Hiltons do this, so yes it clearly can be an important perk.

To get back ON TOPIC.

this original statement was made in 2001.

tis now 6 years on and I certainly have not heard from anyone about the million points I have had in my account:rolleyes:

My take on Mr. Diskin's statement is that he might have had intentions to do something for folks with 1MM points. Perhaps he made a proposal and it was shot down. Maybe he thought about it for awhile and decided on no action. Whatever, getting a million points with this program is not really a big deal and does not merit an extra bonus.

Too many points in some of the programs can be unhealthy. For Hilton, my preference is to keep the balance at about 500,000. Meaning it's time to cash in 400,000 points soon. I am sure he ment hotel stay points, not hhonors points. Like the airlines most only count EQMs for MM.

I have accumulated over two million HH points, and recently got an invitation to request any one of these gifts (all I assume valued around $300):
Apple iPod Video
Bose QuietComfort Headphone
Ping G5 Titanium (Golf) Driver
Sierra Cashmere Throw
Tumi 22" Carryon.
.

I got something like this last year.

I probably have well over 2M points..All earned on stays. I have used a lot for rewards.

Just got the Diamond extension till 2012

All of that said, something for the really high stay Diamonds would be great.

Remember, years ago, it was very hard, close to impossible, to get Diamond, now anyone can do it.

I consider "spouse stays free' a significant perk in the international market. In Japan, for example, the second person can send the price up $50 and more.

My spouse stays free wherever I stay, whatever chain I use. I register for one..never questioned.

We need something for very high stay Diamonds.

My spouse stays free wherever I stay, whatever chain I use. I register for one..never questioned.



Yeah try that at the Westin Grand in Frankfurt ( or many other European hotels) for example and your spouse will stay free .. only problem is you both will be sleeping on a single bed.:)

mike

Just got the Diamond extension till 2012

.

I would be interested in knowing how this worked in practical terms. Did Hilton issue you with a new card?

I was under the assumption (apparently false) that the MAXIMUM eligibility for any Diamond was up to April 2009.

I would be interested in knowing how this worked in practical terms. Did Hilton issue you with a new card?

I was under the assumption (apparently false) that the MAXIMUM eligibility for any Diamond was up to April 2009.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=736223&referrerid=3941

tis now 6 years on and I certainly have not heard from anyone about the million points I have had in my account:rolleyes:

I did. I was invited together with six other double and triple HH millionairs to a two days event in a European capital with free accomodation and a substantial entertainment program.

I did. I was invited together with six other double and triple HH millionairs to a two days event in a European capital with free accomodation and a substantial entertainment program.

Very cool ^ More details please!!!!

Very cool ^ More details please!!!!

Lets ask what happened to the plans?

I had talks in August on a reception Hilton hosted with somebody who should know and got the information that they have plans for the next year

to establish a level beyond Diamond open partly on stays, partly on invitation,
to allow general world wide lounge access to all Diamonds
to stop the general upgrades and lounge access for Golds
to introduce further opportunities to spend points.

He was still very much unclear about the details but made very clear that they are aware that Hilton has to do something for the very top tiers.

See above by FlyingLawyer (which was posted on an earlier page). Unless you're referring to the wining & dining/free stay details, in which case he'll need to augment the above w/ those.

Instead of improving the Diamond benefits, the talk is of improving the accessibility of Diamond benefits by taking away the Gold benefits. This sounds like a recipe for Hilton to alienate the Golds who earn it.

In my tenure w/ HH, I've primarily earned Gold but also been Gold-Lite a couple of times. Back when I was in the corporate world & traveling all the time I would have been Diamond (they didn't have that then), but those days are gone so Gold is the best I'll ever do since most of my travel is now on my own dime. I don't begrudge Diamonds anything they get as reward for their stays, but I don't think taking away bennies from Gold is the way to achieve Diamond nirvana.

The only reason I even try for Gold w/ Hilton is because of exec lounge access. I don't care about suites or even being on the same level as e.l. If they take e.l. away from Gold, then just getting an extra % of points isn't enough to make me continue giving Hilton bizness on discretionary stays. I'll just throw it all over to Marriott given I'm Lifetime Platinum there.

OVMV. Cheers.

PS - I might have missed this, but is there a way to tell your lifetime points w/ Hilton?

I would be interested in knowing how this worked in practical terms. Did Hilton issue you with a new card?

I was under the assumption (apparently false) that the MAXIMUM eligibility for any Diamond was up to April 2009.

I recieved a new card on the 14th of this month expiring in 4/2011, it had a very nice thank you letter with it. I had been a diamond since 89, while I don't have a millon points anymore, I would think that the topic of MM would be based on stays and or base points, not just HH points. As posted on another thread, I also recieved an offer several years ago that I took advantage of to get my 30 gig Ipod from being a long time valued diamond member.

I was down graded last year to a gold and this was definately a big surprise and a plus, as to the what HH could do for long time diamonds, they could start by grandfathering us in like the airlines do for the MM fliers. The other suggestions by the other posters would also be great.

PS - I might have missed this, but is there a way to tell your lifetime points w/ Hilton?

I was wondering the same thing. Snooped around the HH website and could not locate my lifetime points. Just what I currently have.

So my new card has expiration date of 4/2012. I do not believe it to mean that I have diamond status thru 2012. Right or wrong?

So my new card has expiration date of 4/2012. I do not believe it to mean that I have diamond status thru 2012. Right or wrong?

sure should, read your cover letter that came with it " You'll enjoy three more years of living the diamond life" and "Here's to the next three years!"
signed off with of course Adam Burke

Interesting. Tossed the letter and stuck card in pocket. Didn't look at the card until this thread was being read. This is equivalent to lifetime diamond.