Hilton HHonors - Future of HHonors!!

Hilton Hhonors becomes always worse.
No Airline - miles, no 4000 Points in the quarter.
what is the next ... ?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Tolew:
Hilton Hhonors becomes always worse.
No Airline - miles, no 4000 Points in the quarter.
what is the next ... ?</font>

Wrong on all accounts, Tolew. Next time better check your sources before crying wolf...

P.S. My apologies to Tolew, as he is wrong on one account, but (unfortunately) correct on the other (see my post on 3/20).

&lt;Edited to add P.S.&gt;

[This message has been edited by Eugene (edited 03-20-2002).]

Were you staying at a Holiday Inn? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

No problem with Miles and points (in fact double miles), no problem with 4 stay bonus, points posting, quarterly profile bonus...so indeed, HHonors is doing quite well.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Canista:
Were you staying at a Holiday Inn? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

No problem with Miles and points (in fact double miles), no problem with 4 stay bonus, points posting, quarterly profile bonus...so indeed, HHonors is doing quite well.

</font>

As pointed out by somone else, the 4 stay bonus points is no longer listed on the membership benefits so it could well be going

Dave

As a relative newcomer to HH elite, I'm frankly impressed with how fast things post to one's account. Marriott should take a lesson. My stays in the last week have all posted, complete with online booking bonuses and threshold bonuses. The best part: I'm Gold now! : http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gifD

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Dave Noble:
As pointed out by somone else, the 4 stay bonus points is no longer listed on the membership benefits so it could well be going

Dave</font>

However, HHonors Terms and Conditions (http://www.hilton.com/en/hhonors/terms.jhtml) still show it online (under Hilton HHonors Membership Tiers, for both Gold and Diamond members):

"A 4,000-point threshold bonus per calendar quarter when four paid stays have been recorded within the quarter."

Also see this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/003800.html

Thanks Eugene http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Tolew:
[B]No Airline - miles/B]</font>

Also, the confusion with the alleged "disappearance of double dipping" has been discussed and cleared in the following threads:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/003119.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/003205.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/003232.html

I am quite cynical about everything yet I have been really, really impressed with Hilton Honors. After only one month long stay at Embassy Suites I got over 50,000 points. Was able to use the points on some great Executive floor rooms in Europe. Starwood, which I am really starting to dislike, NEVER upgrades me even though I am Gold, traveling in low season, and rarely gives me very many points. Marriott is the British Airways of FF programs and that is not a compliment. Hilton tells me that I am checking in at the wrong desk and need to go up to the 8th floor and use the dedicated executive floor agent. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif The double dip thing is great because I usually choose Airline miles and would have never gotten those free rooms. Hilton is top notch and that comes from a cynic. . .

Tolew, I couldn't disagree with you more. I was actually the person who started the thread about the 4,000 point threshold bonus. Eugene kindly pointed out to me that it is still listed as a benefit. I was only looking in the wrong place.

When I began somewhat heavy travel duties with my job three years ago, I carefully researched the various Frequent Guest programs and found that HHonors is by far the tops of the majors. Double-dipping, wide-range of properties, great opportunities for points, and fantastic reward opportunities are the main factors for me and many others I would imagine. None of these appear to be changing anytime soon.

The only complaint I would have is the ongoing problem with free breakfast at specific properties. The HHonors folks clearly need to do a much better job of informing employees "out in the field" not only of the details of the program, but the strategy behind guest loyalty and treating your best customers with your best service. These instances are not systemwide and can be dealt with accordingly at each property.

Overall, this is a great program and I plan to remain a loyal member for a number of years!

Threshold bonus is on the way out....


http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/003813.html

I'm one of those who earned Diamond the hard way, by staying over 80 nights the last half of the year. I can't say enough about how good the experience has been, from posting of points, to getting those great upgrades.
I've stayed at numerous properties, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy and have always been given an upgrade or best room that is away from all the noise.
I had stayed at Marriott but they are not the best at posting points and I was rarely upgraded at all.
I'm staying Hilton and look forward to using the points this year for my free stays!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Tolew:
Hilton Hhonors becomes always worse.
No Airline - miles, no 4000 Points in the quarter.
what is the next ... ?</font>

Well perhaps the additional properties they have added in Germany, or the sh*tload they are about to add in Scandinavia. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

Perhaps you should get your fact straight, as other have said, and amend your post.

Or, you could gravitate to that other company that has a large presence on the Continent: Holiday Inn. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

The choice is clearly yours to make, but please, don't go spreading false rumors.

I got a HHonors mailing yesterday, which clearly stated no more 4k bonus after 1.4.2002 for Gold members :-( .

Interesting, that folks in Europe received this information first...

But, unfortunately, it seems to be true - no more 4,000 point threshold bonus... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif I'm just off the phone with the Diamond desk, and they confirmed this information. It is supposed to appear on the January statement (sent out in March).

But - double dipping stays! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by peter42:
I got a HHonors mailing yesterday, which clearly stated no more 4k bonus after 1.4.2002 for Gold members :-( .</font>

Does the threshold bonus stay for Diamonds?

Apparently not, according to this thread in MilesBuzz:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/006623.html

If the info there is wrong, please don't shoot this (lowly HHonors Gold) messenger.

Hilton Is still the Best Hands Down! Here is a quote from another posting.

What about still getting frequent flyer miles that can be converted back to Hilton. If you have 1 night for $100 that is 1,000 points, add 1500 for booking online, add the 50% diamond we are at 3,000 points, add the Hilton AMEX 5 points per dollar with taxes that is 570 more points, add the car rental bonus of 250 points and we are at 3,820 and then getting double miles convert them back to Hilton for double and we have another 2,000 where are we now 5,820 for this visit now use a point stetcher and two nights equals a free weekend
IP

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Andrew14302:
Does the threshold bonus stay for Diamonds?</font>

No. According to the Diamond desk CSR, the threshold bonus will be phased out as of April 1, 2002 for all VIP levels. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

AMEN, MilesRUS!!

here's my quote from another thread on this subject:
--------------------------------------
upon further review, I have come to the conclusion that there's some legitimate info here.

However, if you would also read into the same thread just a bit further, you'll also realize there's no other program out there that offers you the opportunity to Double Dip or give you the versatility like HHonors points.

I used to be a huge fan of AMEX until I started to do some calculations on the dollar spent vs. reward. With my current situation and my past experience with HHonors, I just think it's a bit petty to pick on HHonors for making a financial decision.

Furthermore, road warriors like the Diamond members can earn some serious bonuses (50% bonus points), I doubt they would be hurt by the new policy changes.
------------------------------
just can't beat the Points & Miles... I'll Double Dip any time there's a Hilton !!



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share the knowledge = share the wealth

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Efrem:
Apparently not, according to this thread in MilesBuzz:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/006623.html

If the info there is wrong, please don't shoot this (lowly HHonors Gold) messenger.</font>

&gt;&gt;&gt; BANG! LOL http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by westcoastman:
Marriott is the British Airways of FF programs and that is not a compliment. </font>

&gt;&gt;&gt; Thank you! I love that comment and so true.

Ok, not to give HH a commercial here, but I do feel that HH is, by far, the best frequent stay program out there. The double dip alone brings you in. I was speculative that they could be so generous, and was utterly amazed when I tried Hilton and the double dip. Plus, all the bonuses. Unfortunately, they are messing up and dropping a couple.

They are one of the most generous in upgrades, and their customer service levels are outstanding.

I, personally, would put Starwood as 2nd. I am getting to know Hyatt. So far, so good.

Marriott is cheap on upgrades. One hotel wouldn't upgrade me, the Hilton nextdoor would have. Enough said.

The nail in the coffin for me and Hilton was when they added the (Heavenly) Embassy Suites chain. Done deal. If there is an Embassy Suites hotel nearby, if possible and available, I am there. How could you not love Embassy?

Anyway, HH rocks! the others follow.


------------------
Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
HH GLD, SCI GLD, MM SIL
LE PRESIDENT ETERNEL DE CAMAIR-CAMEROUN AIRLINES :)

According to the Hhonors statement I received yesterday, the 4000 bonus threshold for GOLD's will be eliminated as of 3/31/02.
What's next, updating profile quarterly, the membership level bonuses (15% silver, 25% Gold, 50% Diamond)?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Worldtraveler36:
&gt;&gt;&gt; The nail in the coffin for me and Hilton was when they added the (Heavenly) Embassy Suites chain. Done deal. If there is an Embassy Suites hotel nearby, if possible and available, I am there. How could you not love Embassy?

Anyway, HH rocks! the others follow.
</font>

Ditto! By the way, have you stayed at the Garden Inn? If you like Embassy, I'm sure you'll enjoy Garden Inn. I stayed at the Chicago Downtown Garden Inn location, and it's actually better situated than Hilton Downtown.

anz5708- what's next for you? I think it's time for you to quit the HHonors program and surrender your points to me! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Wow, Worldtraveler36, we certainly have different views of Embassy Suites. I think it is the worst of the H family hotels. The so-called evening reception is a joke - compared to Homewood Suites - it has only been pretzels and chips and 2nd rate booze at the ones I stayed at. The suites in Homewood have kitchens that don`t exist at Embassy. Also, the rates practically always seem much higher than the same city Hilton. There is never an executive lounge. I can`t understand the appeal, they just don`t seem classy. But hey, it`s great not everyone wants to stay at the same hotel!

" Marriott is the British Airways of FF programs and that is not a compliment. "

I think that the BA scheme is the 2nd best FF scheme, beaten only by Qantas. I can requalify for the higher statuses far quicker and easier than any other schemes I know. That was a great advert for Marriot, but I'm happy enough with Hilton n Starwood

Dave

As a BA Gold, I can say that anyone who thinks EC is the 2nd GREATEST programme, especially when based out of the UK (the worst of EC programmes) has little or no real experience with other FF programmes.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by hfly:
As a BA Gold, I can say that anyone who thinks EC is the 2nd GREATEST programme, especially when based out of the UK (the worst of EC programmes) has little or no real experience with other FF programmes.</font>

I have experience with TWAs, AAs, QFs and COs thank you. QF is the easiest one to reach OW Emerald status for me, followed by BA. The status/tier credits system means that it is dead easy to get to the upper tiers in one trip. I do UK - OZ a couple of times a year - 600 credits needed for gold status/ 1200 for platinum with QF - one trip nets me between 700 to 1000 tier credits.

Ergo, imo, if Marriot is to BA in terms of hotel stays, it is a compliment

Dave

[This message has been edited by Dave Noble (edited 03-23-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by m:
Wow, Worldtraveler36, we certainly have different views of Embassy Suites. I think it is the worst of the H family hotels. The so-called evening reception is a joke - compared to Homewood Suites - it has only been pretzels and chips and 2nd rate booze at the ones I stayed at. The suites in Homewood have kitchens that don`t exist at Embassy. Also, the rates practically always seem much higher than the same city Hilton. There is never an executive lounge. I can`t understand the appeal, they just don`t seem classy. But hey, it`s great not everyone wants to stay at the same hotel!</font>

&gt;&gt;&gt; hmmmmmmm Hi there. Ah, Hampton is the worst, hands down, sorry...

What can I say? I love Embassy! I have never done Homewood, but it sounds good.
Embassy has some very nice properties, large rooms(suites), good service, cocktail hour(works for me), and free breakfast.

I love the suites part about it as I can go in the other room and watch tv while my guest sleeps. I have to leave the tv off at other hotels, so it is a great concept...

All hotels have their perks. I go through in my travels, I like to try different hotels, often spending one night each at a different hotel, establish my favorite, and that is where I go...