Hilton HHonors - Old HH certificates valid after June 1?

My apologies if this has already been discussed in previous threads, but being under time pressure to transfer some DL miles (only a few more hours to go!) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Just called HH to find out, and therefore(!) I am all confused by now. Can I redeem an award certificate against the current award chart, for usage after June 1? According to the rep, this is possible as the cert is valid for one year. What confuses me is - how do I match my, say GLONP, with a Premium hotel when the Premium hotels are replaced by category 5 or 6?

Hope someone is in the know
Cheers

You can redeem your VIP awards under current level chart within a year after requesting the certificate, under the following conditions:

1. You make the reservation prior to June 1, 2003 (it cannot be changed after that date).

2. You request the certificate prior to June 1, 2003.

And if you want to redeem a GLONP, it will be based on current category (i.e., if the hotel is categorized as Premium now, your GLONP will be accepted there even after June 1 changes, provided you comply with the conditions I listed above).

<Edited because I can't type http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif >

[This message has been edited by Eugene (edited 02-28-2003).]

Thanks! Ended up adding another 160k to my 40k account-- GLON 12 nts, here I come http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<can't type either...>

[This message has been edited by Douglas (edited 02-28-2003).]

Is Eugene correct in saying that the only way you can use a GLON or GLONP under current point values is if you have a reservation within one year and you get the certificate issued by 5/31/03 and use it only for that reservation, no changes allowed. I thought you could get a GLON/GLONP by May 31 at current rates (with perhaps a placeholder reservation that you could later change to another hotel and date, pending availability at the new hotel) and use the certificate at any time within the next year, allowing you time to consider how best to use it. Eugene's description is MUCH more restrictive. Is he accurate?

I have no clue. Even though it sounds somewhat restrictive, it makes sense.

I have passed the question to HH by eMail. If I get a clarification, I will post it here

Cheers

HHonors desk told me the same thing as Eugene listed about using "old style" cert after June 1, 03. You need to make reservation and request the award cert. by 5/31/03 and any change after that will be applied using new award level.

FYI, I ordered a GLONP cert, and the level was determined at the time when I made the reservation and pulled the cert. from the account. That's how I understand it.

They certainly took their time - this just reached my inbox:

Dear Mr. XXXXX,

Thank you for your e-mail.

Hopefully I will be able to clarify the information regarding the new
rewards that go into effect on June 1, 2003.

Current rewards and their point values will be valid till May 31, 2003. Any
rewards deducted on or before that date will be valid for one year from date
of issue. For example, if you deduct a GLON/GLONP on May 31, 2003, that
reward will be valid till May 31, 2004. You will be able to utilize the
reward for a reservation, provided that the reservation falls within the
valid dates of the reward you have deducted.

Please let me know if this clarifies or if you need further information.

Thank you and best regards,
XXXXXXXX

I'm more confused than ever. Which of Hilton's explanations do we believe? Why doesn't whoever at Hilton is responsible for deciding these things make up her mind and post the policy on their website? Then we all can make plans for next year without worrying about our pre-June 1st award certificates being rejected at check-in.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mileageslave:
I'm more confused than ever. Which of Hilton's explanations do we believe? Why doesn't whoever at Hilton is responsible for deciding these things make up her mind and post the policy on their website? Then we all can make plans for next year without worrying about our pre-June 1st award certificates being rejected at check-in.</font>

This is a bit confusing. I was given a slightly different explanation at the Diamond Desk this morning.

Hopefully the Hilton Lurker can get HHONORS to put out a communication with additional clarification as we get closer to 31 May 2003.



[This message has been edited by capetown (edited 03-13-2003).]

Can anyone from Hilton help us out on this? Customer service at HHonors seems confused and gives different answers at different times.

I believe the most restrictive is true -- that is, you have to book both the award AND the reservation by May 31, and that ANY changes to the reservation after that date will void using the old award -- you'd have to redeposit and get a new award under the new point levels.

So in other words, by May 31st your plans have to be firm..

Hope I'm wrong!