Hilton HHonors - Automall's bonus points have been returned.

I can transfer my Automall Online's 500 points to Hhonors 1000points today.
There is no problem.

I can't, nor can my wife. We both get this message:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Account Under Review
AutoMall Online is reviewing your account activity before posting points from recent activity. Please allow 30 days for completion of this review. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Sincerely, AutoMall Online Customer Relations
</font>

Ditto.

From correspondence with two folks at HHonors, they are not happy about the situation.

Mine went through OK. 3000 previously before they shut down, the last 1000 last night.

Me = reviewing account...
Family members = went thru just fine...

I had some of those phantom 500 = 62,000 postings, so perhaps that's why my account is "under review" and theirs are not...

I also earned a ton of points via referrals from friends and family... could that be it?

[This message has been edited by EWR-COflyer (edited 03-23-2002).]

I have another theory. Both my wife and I accidently got the 62,000 point transfers. We had no idea what had happened until the back the back end. Like everyone else, the 62,000 points we removed. Every day since they suspended transfers, both she and I earned points and attempted to transfer (and got the please try later message.)

When the transfers were returned, both she and I were under review.

I have a friend (who I referred). She also got the 62,000 point transfer. But, after they stopped transfers, she let the account lay fallow, didn't earn any more points, and didn't try to transfer. Hers went right through.

So, my theory is that attempting to transfer your points gets ou flagged.

Thoughts?

Oh, Lord. I just tried and it said "Transaction approved". But it again asked for my Pin number, which I had changed. Now I'll have to change it again, but will wait until the transfer goes through. Anyone know how long this might take?

Update: It took just minutes. The points are in my Hilton account already. Wow!

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

I think you guys are WAY too concerned about the PIN... they only use it to verify your account. Besides, what do you think they (AutoMall) are really going to do with your HHonors account??? Transfer the points to their own accounts???

In this scenario, only the HHonors Customer Service Center can make adjustments (deletion of fraudulant/erroneous points) to your HHonors accounts. Just like the 2002 Holiday Catalog by Ashford, AutoMall & HHonors are communicating via XML or some other real time program, which allows them to post your points immediately. Once they have your HHonors account number, giving the PIN is the only way to provide permission to access the proper account and credit your points.

As for why some of you didn't get "reviewed", it's probably because you were not aggressively earning points with referrals. It maybe that AutoMall is "cracking down" on those accounts that were set up by the same person (hense the same last name connection), but really is just one "true" account.

It turns out that those of us who didn't get too greedy ended up being the lucky ones, that's all. Bottom line, everybody should be able to get the points they rightfully earned. It says so in their Terms & Conditions.

[This message has been edited by mitquack (edited 03-26-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mitquack:
As for why some of you didn't get "reviewed", it's probably because you were not aggressively earning points with referrals. It maybe that AutoMall is "cracking down" on those accounts that were set up by the same person (hense the same last name connection), but really is just one "true" account.
</font>

I referred no one and am under review. I did not leave my account "fallow".

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mitquack:
It turns out that those of us who didn't get too greedy ended up being the lucky ones, that's all.</font>

My account is under review. I have no referrals and did not try to transfer out any or the mistaken points. If I wouldn't have checked my balance, I never would have known they were there for a few days.

Some of you might have noticed by now that they are subtracting 1000 Automall points - apparently from those who filled out the survey.

I don't know if they intend to take away hhonors points - but I wouldn't put it past them.

Whether or not they are right to do this, it sure doesn't seem like a business model that is likely to succeed.

VBFerd,

AutoMall can only take away the AutoMall points earned by participating in AutoMall's program.

Your 1,000 HHonors bonus points for joining AutoMall should have been posted immediately after you signed up with them. By the way, I don't think anybody's complaining about that transaction.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by EWR-COflyer:
[B]Me = reviewing account...
Family members = went thru just fine...

I had some of those phantom 500 = 62,000 postings, so perhaps that's why my account is "under review" and theirs are not...

</font>

I had the same experience today

I just find it odd that they ask for my PIN number. When I transfer my MyPoints over to HHonors, they don't ask for my PIN and yet the transfer still happens (although not as quickly).

Nanook,

Once your HHonors account has been verified initially when you registered with AutoMall by inputting your PIN, the program should recognize this as a valid HHonors account, but the system will still require you to verify your PIN with every transaction as a precautionary procedure.

For example, when it's time for you to redeem your HHonors points for a Down Payment Reward, then the system will ask you for your PIN as a security measure (just in case someone else is using your HHonors points for a Down Payment). I beblieve that's their way of protecting your HHonors account.

What AutoMall is doing with HHonors is by using some form of real time program (I believe it's XML) so your points can be posted immediately. The flaw with this is the need for verification and accuracy. But user experience is greatly improved because of the instant gratification.

If you notice with your MyPoints account, the process will take up to a couple of WEEKS before your points get posted. In the event you input the WRONG HH account number, it may take even longer, or worse yet, the transaction may be canceled.
------------------
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Just a Duck in a Pond Quacking Away!

[This message has been edited by mitquack (edited 03-28-2002).]

Mine don't go through! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I couldn't transfer my points because I'm under 500. Did someone remember how to get points besides the search engines?

AutoMall is on my poopoo list. I actually used them as a portal to search the web many times and I also bought a cordless phone I was needing through 800.com using AutoMall. I did did the survey since it said nothing about having to have recently bought a car through AutoMall. I answered the questions truthfully. Now that they have finished reviewing my account they have taken away almost 2000 points. Here is the correspondence:

In a message dated 3/28/2002 2:41:51 PM Eastern Standard Time, Consumer_Relations@automallonline.com writes:

After reviewing recent activity in your AutoMall Rewards account, AutoMall
Online has either deducted points or declined to post points. This review
was conducted on the basis of AutoMall Online's Terms of Service, which
state that:

"The AutoMall Rewards program and benefits are offered at the sole
discretion of AutoMall Online, Inc. AutoMall Online, Inc., its redemption
partners, and members of its affiliate network have the right to change,
limit, modify or cancel rules, regulations, conditions, or point levels in
the AutoMall Rewards program at any time. In the event of fraud, abuse of
privileges, or violation of the terms of service, AutoMall Online, Inc. has
the right to deny benefits, cancel membership in the AutoMall Rewards
program, and take appropriate administrative and/or legal action. Fraud or
abuse relating to the accrual or redemption of AutoMall Rewards points may
result in the forfeiture of accrued points."

AutoMall Online's deduction and/or declination of AutoMall Rewards points
with regard to your account was based on any one or combination of the
following reasons:

1) 475 bonus points provided by AutoMall Online upon registration were
deducted or declined because AutoMall Online could not verify that the
registration information was unique and valid;

2) 200 points provided for referrals also were deducted or declined because
AutoMall Online could not verify that the registration information was
unique and valid;

3) 1,000 points provided for completing a customer survey were deducted or
declined because AutoMall Online could not verify that the customer
completing the survey actually purchased a vehicle from one of AutoMall
Online's participating dealerships.

Thank you for your patience - AutoMall Online Consumer Relations

I have sent a reply to AutoMall and to Hilton Honors. Since AutoMall did not cancel my membership I have asked for it to be cancelled. It is a shame that AutoMall could not develope a professional website that actually worked. I only did what the site allowed. I have one account that I set up honestly. I really do not like being called a fraud and a liar because they have a poorly designed website that is full of bugs! Oh well, live and learn. I do hope that Hilton will rethink their association with this amaturish website. Ya live and learn.

Just a quick note. AutoMall sent an email today saying they are crediting 1,000 back into my account and reviewing 875 points to be returned. I guess they don't want to cancel my account like I asked them to.

I got the same canned e-mail accusing me of fraud. Like you, none of the accusations were true. I have not yet replied to automall.

Well, at least you are getting a response from them. I can't even get them to reply. Sent three emails off and still not a peep from them. What email addy are you using?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bigeyes1:
Well, at least you are getting a response from them. I can't even get them to reply. Sent three emails off and still not a peep from them. What email addy are you using? </font>

I replied to the e-mail address in the above correspondence. I also told them I was copying it to Flyertalk@hilton.com.

Hmmm. I may have to give that a try. If that will get a response from them, then by golly, I'm going to do it!!


Thanks MoreMilesPlease- scanned the above post and noticed that email address is the same one I've been using. Perhaps letting them know you were going to post their comments here made them more responsive.

Off to email again!!



[This message has been edited by bigeyes1 (edited 03-31-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by cactuspete:
I got the same canned e-mail accusing me of fraud. Like you, none of the accusations were true. I have not yet replied to automall.</font>

I disputed their accusations and asked that my account be closed. The points were returned to my Automall account today, and I was able to redeem them to my Hilton account a few minutes ago.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by cactuspete:
I disputed their accusations and asked that my account be closed. The points were returned to my Automall account today, and I was able to redeem them to my Hilton account a few minutes ago.</font>

My points returned today, as well. I did the same thing as cactuspete did. I wanted to redeem them quick before Automallonline decides to take the points away again. Whew!! Now, I'm happy!!

I didn't do anything - and my points returned today (and I redeemed them).

Don't know if they just changed them all after some people complained (if so, then thanks to all of you) - or if they just came to their senses.

For some reason, I cannot access any
of the on-line links to e-mail
AutoMallOn line....could someone provide
me with their e-mail address. I would
like to send an e-mail re: not being able
transfer points.

Thanks.

Consumer_Relations@AutoMallOnline.com