Hilton HHonors - SPG Plat thinking of Hilton, others

Hello everyone,

I've been a SPG elite member since 2002 and a member of their program since 1999, so it's really all I "know."

Unfortunately, some recent disappointments at Starwood have sent me heading for the hills, and Hilton seems like a logical choice. I am hoping you, the experts, could give me an idea of whether or not you agree.

Since my travel is split between business and leisure, I have liked SPG for its variety of brand options. For instance, I could count on there being a Sheraton in Minnetonka, MN and a St. Regis in LA or DC. I am not as familiar with Hilton's brand options - are they as varied and wide-spread? I am avoiding Hyatt and Wyndham for this reason.

Next, I naturally would expect Hilton to comp my SPG platinum status should I make a switch. Does Hilton comp to top-tier, or would I need to work my way back up?

Finally, one of my biggest beefs with Starwood right now is the dramatic degradation of customer service, Starwood Lurker of course not included. How do Hilton's elite services compare to those of others?

This is all a lot to think about, and I'd grealty appreciate your assistance.

Best, Lewis

Hilton has a lot more properties, so availability and presence is actually better than SPG.

Why not keep both?

I'm a Diamond in Hilton and was comped Platinum in Starwood this year. Let me take a crack at it:

On the high end, Hilton's property set is not quite as nice as Starwoods - no brands along the lines of a St. Regis or W. On the other hand, there is no comparison between a Hilton Garden Inn and a Four Points, and most newer Hampton Inns are also better. Four Points has too many conversions from other chains, so I've found them to be really hit or miss. The non-suite Doubletrees and Sheraton suffer from the same type of erratic behavior - the worst Doubletrees and the worst Sheratons are similar, the better Sheratons blow away the better non-suite Doubletrees.

In Europe, Starwood has a bigger presence in Germany and Italy, and Hilton has a bigger presence in the UK and Scandinavia. Don't know about the other continents.

Hilton has a higher volume of business-oriented suite-based properties in the US - Embassy Suites, part of the Doubletree chain, and Homewood Suites. Hilton also has much broader depth across smaller cities. Also, Hilton award stays count for status. For me, those three points make the difference, and are why I'll make sure I requalify for Hilton first, then Starwood.

Hilton's customer service is fine for routine matters, but spotty for complicated ones. Even with service degredation, Starwood's service is better.

Thank you, Nick, for that great comparison.

I think I have even more to think about now :)

As a Hilton Diamond I have always wanted to defect to Starwood. I do appreciate the breakfast comp as Hilton diamond. I have found the benefits to vary greatly between properties. Many properties have no clue what diamond benefits are, therefore you get nothing or have to explain the program. Other than that I have been very pleased with Hilton so that probably explains why I haven't left. The upgrades have been plentiful and service levels above average. I'm really pleased with Hampton. My favorite stay is Westin for the bed, pillows and bath.

I agree with just about everything ElmhurstNick wrote above. The only exception is that in my experience as a top-tier member in both programs (I dropped to SPG Gold this year though), customer service was comparable and generally very good, both at Hilton and Starwood. In sold-out situations Diamond Award Desk was able to do more for me than SPG Platinum Concierge. One thing where SPG customer service shines though and in all honesty beats HH hands down, is related to Starwood Lurker's full-time presence on FT.

LewDog -- You will find that Hilton family includes a big variety of brands and has presence in many more smaller markets comapred to Starwood. You won't find many luxury properties though.

Also, comps to Diamond appear not to be consistent. In the past it was a big no-no, but in the last couple years there were a few posts on FT confirming that in certain cases (most likely, when one can demonstrate substantial amount of business generated by that person) such comps have been made.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

I've not been above gold in either program; with Starwood, it seemed meaningless; Hilton had noticeable perks.

I confess I've had only one Starwood stay recently and many in the various Hilton brands. The Starwood was a big let-down--a converted property, as mentioned above. None of my Hilton visits have been disappointing. Added to what I read in the Starwood forum, especially the falsehoods surrounding high speed internet at 4 Points, I'm sticking with Hilton.

That said, I'll still keep some Starwood points collected from my AMEX. They're nice to have to transfer, and occasionally--such as during my visit to Sydney this August--a Hilton property is not available and a Starwood is.

JP

ElmhurstNick and Eguene are on target, especially as far as property variety.

My story is similar, but opposite to yours. I have been Hhonors Diamond almost since the day I joined (no comp - but in bed stays for status with Hilton). Hilton ticked me off significantly last year, on a number of occasions, over a variety of service issues. For me, eliminating the opportunity to book through expedia.com (was able to use UPromise, Hhonors points, and Southwest RR points on the same stays) and still receive points was a big disappointment. Other chains have since followed suit, but I "blame" Hilton for this issue. I don't know that I understand it completely, inasmuch as I was not usually securing lower rates at expedia than offered by Hilton's own web site, but expedia is 100 times easier to navigate than Hilton's site. I also found some properties to be less than "Hilton quality" (Hilton Pikesville, MD, for instance). So, i basically decided to see if the grass was, in fact, greener elsewhere.

My findings, so far, include:

*Hilton's base line chains (Hampton) are likely a bit nicer than Starwood's Four Points, especially if they were among the newer built ones, and if they will now start offering hot breakfasts. However, most Hampton Inns do not offer complimentary HSIA, and I have not had nearly the problems that others have had with limited availability. Also, it seems as though 4P will now be adding a nicer line of bedding to their hotels, in the lines of their premium hotel offerings. Overall: PUSH, but Advantage *W when the new beds roll in (comfort outweighs a lot of other things for me).

*Hilton has more properties than *W. Advantage: Hilton

*The elite recognition I have received so far, has immeasurably favored Starwood. I have been upgraded and offered an elite bonus every time I have stayed there.

*From what I have seen, so far, the earning power (purely based on hotel stays) of *W points outpaces Hhonors. Even earning an elite bonus of 50%, I only earned enough Hhonors points last year to stay at the hotel I frequent most often five nights for free. With almost 75 nights, that doesn't seem quite right. I probably could have done better if I had fewer long term stays, but I don't know that for sure. Starwood seems better at this point, and if there is a room available for sale, you can use points to get it. Hilton would not let me do that for the upcoming College World Series in Omaha. Advantage: Starwood

*Even calling the Diamond desk did nothing to resolve my complaint at the end of last year. It took four months to get my complaint resolved (almost satisfactorily), and not until I emailed the Hhonors people through the link on this site. Had I known about this site earlier, perhaps I could have resolved my problem sooner. Kudos to both Hilton for maintaining a presence here, and *W for the aforementioned Lurker. Overall: UNDECIDED, but I haven't had a serious issue with *W yet, and Hilton botched my problem, so I am leaning towards *W, until something changes my mind.

Those are the things that are important to me. If any of them are important to you, then I hope you find my analysis useful.

Best regards,
Stevekoe

I am only gold in both program, so I can't add anything to the top-tier comparison. I can say that in terms of beds and pillows. SW brands blows HH properties out of the water.

I am working on my Diamond Challenge, 10 stays in 90 days. Hilton offers me this challenge based on my SPG Platinum.

I like Hilton's wide selections, and ALON Hawaiin Waikoloa Village is definitely a treat. Hilton Garden Inn or even Hampton Inn are better than many Four Points I have stayed. Hilton’s Homestead Suite is something SPG doesn’t offer.

My biggest complain of Hilton, besides lacking of St Regis or W kind of hotels, is the bed. Hilton's bed is uncomfortable, especially if you are used to Westin's Heavenly bed. It makes a big difference for my business trip, when I need a good night sleep.

Starwood is also good to surprise their Platinum elites by throwing gifts. Music CD this year, name tag last year and the clock the year before. The Tumi luggage promotion last year is a nice touch. I don’t know Hilton does the same thing or not.

Overall, I think SPG is a better hotel chains and program.

Hilton’s Homestead Suite is something SPG doesn’t offer.

I'm sure you meant to say Homewood Suites. Homestead Studio Suites (http://www.homesteadhotels.com/) chain does not belong to the Hilton family.

Starwood is also good to surprise their Platinum elites by throwing gifts. Music CD this year, name tag last year and the clock the year before. <snip> I don’t know Hilton does the same thing or not.

I don't recall receiving anything from Hilton.