Hilton HHonors - Cut off our foot

It seems lately all promos have been targeted and if we do slip one through which we have gleaned on the FT board they even audit them now and reverse it (Citi promo to gold).
The story Im telling my self is that the chains with loylalty programs (HH ,SPG,etc.) are now truly monitoring these boards and have gotten very wise to the following:
1) Using targeted promos which cannot be passed around
2) tightened up their customer service attiude to not be persuaded by FT folks who call in begging for an inclusion
3)FT reading by the mangement has caused them to be very stingy with their promos ,how they release them and to whom.
4)Where they do monitor the board ( SPG/Lurker and now CO) it seems some good comes of it,but overall I would say that we have had a big decrease in promos which we can pass around and even targeted promos in general. My observations about this seem to be across the board with Diamonds complaining they did not receive what other Diamonds did,Golds complaining that they did not get what the Diamonds got or anything at all and a general waiting for the loyalty program to "throw me a bone desperation"

Do you suppose that they also read when FT'ers complain about poor service, dirty rooms etc. etc.? :rolleyes:

I tend to beleive that we do not in fact alter HH's behavior a whole lot (although we would like to).

Just look at the rolling tier issue: still not clear what it means!

I tend to beleive that we do not in fact alter HH's behavior a whole lot (although we would like to).

Just look at the rolling tier issue: still not clear what it means!

I consider myself an educated person...at least that is what the diplomas on the wall say...yet I still can clearly fathom that rolling tier issue.

Very humbling...and most of all very frustrating.

Do you suppose that they also read when FT'ers complain about poor service, dirty rooms etc. etc.? :rolleyes:


It is hit and miss on the particular hotel. I know people at a particular Hilton property who tell me they monitor FT and tripadvisor and use these comments to improve their sevices.

I know SPG monitors the boards with William. I wish Hilton would do the same. At the moment the hotel industry is makeing a ton of money and trying to grab market share. They are not worried as much about losing people versus stealing new customers. I wish and hope they worry about current customer, but it will only happen when they notice a lot of people leavving.

Would someone please explain what the title "Cut off our foot" means? Does it apply to all HH hotels?

MisterNice

I consider myself an educated person...at least that is what the diplomas on the wall say...yet I still can clearly fathom that rolling tier issue.

Very humbling...and most of all very frustrating.
Huh??? :confused:

I assume you mean you can't fathom it, not that you can.

Admittedly, there seem to be some problems with the website in that it doesn't always correctly show the rolling tier stuff. That doesn't help.

On (what I think is) the topic of this thread: Yes, FlyerTalk is a double-edged sword. It allows consumers to help each other, and to provide useful feedback to travel providers, but those same travel providers can also use it to plug loopholes in their programs.

One thing I wonder about: A lot of FlyerTalkers seem to have a very self-important attitude. I wonder if it would take the wind out of their sails to realize that perhaps some travel providers regard FlyerTalkers as a bunch of freeloaders and crybabies. @:-)

A lot of FlyerTalkers seem to have a very self-important attitude. I wonder if it would take the wind out of their sails to realize that perhaps some travel providers regard FlyerTalkers as a bunch of freeloaders and crybabies.

I'm sorry, I don't think that's accurate at all. FT is perhaps 10% amateurs, hustlers and blowhards, but 90% "professional travelers" who understand these businesses, these loyalty programs, and their rights... have more sympathy than average for good travel/hospitality people... and cringe at the crybaby act.

As to the cutback in targeted promos -- it's not just FT that puts a damper on things. Custom pricing or offer-targeting has become much harder to pull off, with potential net negative consequences for broad brand perception, in the age of Internet-based virtual communities. We never used to be able to compare notes; now we do, and it costs the providers either money or goodwill. (Not just HHonors... look at the targeted discount codes being posted for misuse on the Avis board, etc.) I think it's inevitable that private pricing and offer-targeting will drop off in this environment.

I'd actually say limiting of promos is smart marketing. Targeting them to certain classes of travelers allows monitoring to ensure the desired behavior is occurring. In the case of Hilton, this Diamond is benefiting from their double points/miles targeted promo.

I've got 21 stays and 44 nights already this year, yet the promo I don't believe has caused any additional bookings on their behalf. The extra points and miles are just a perk, albeit one that is highly appreciated and builds additional sub-concious loyalty.

I continue to book Hilton due to the expectation of perks (upgraded rooms are generally available, free breakfast, no-blackouts), and superb customer service by Diamond Special Services.

I'm sorry, I don't think that's accurate at all. FT is perhaps 10% amateurs, hustlers and blowhards, but 90% "professional travelers" who understand these businesses, these loyalty programs, and their rights... have more sympathy than average for good travel/hospitality people... and cringe at the crybaby act.

You need to re-read my post. I didn't say that FlyerTalkers ARE freeloaders and crybabies. I said that travel providers may REGARD them as such. Big difference.

And if you look carefully at the content of the posts on FT, you'll see an awful lot of whining and looking for freebies.

Just a caution not to overestimate how well FTers are thought of. @:-)

On (what I think is) the topic of this thread: A lot of FlyerTalkers seem to have a very self-important attitude. I wonder if it would take the wind out of their sails to realize that perhaps some travel providers regard FlyerTalkers as a bunch of freeloaders and crybabies. @:-)

Somehow I completely missed (the still invisible) MAY :D

mike

So, if I overhear a staffer at a Hilton say FTers are freeloaders and crybabies, do you think I can get some compensation for that? ;)

You need to re-read my post. I didn't say that FlyerTalkers ARE freeloaders and crybabies. I said that travel providers may REGARD them as such. Big difference.

And if you look carefully at the content of the posts on FT, you'll see an awful lot of whining and looking for freebies.

Just a caution not to overestimate how well FTers are thought of. @:-)

Would someone please explain what the title "Cut off our foot" means? Does it apply to all HH hotels?

MisterNice



Just guessing, but it might be a European idiom, similar in portent to our Cut off one's nose, to spite one's face, or some such meaning.

Or, he could have been trying to ennunciate the above US idiom, and misfired.

Somehow I completely missed (the still invisible) MAY :D

mike
Do you perhaps need a definition of the word "perhaps?" ;)

Here is one from the online version of the Merriam-Webster dictionary (www.m-w.com):

Main Entry: per·haps
Pronunciation: p&r-'haps, 'praps
Function: adverb
Etymology: per + hap
: possibly but not certainly : MAYBE

(Also, you seriously misquoted me, removing sentences from the middle of my post and jamming together two unrelated paragraphs into one.)

Good Gawd Almighty, people!

Do we have to turn every forum into Omni? :mad:

Good Gawd Almighty, people!

Do we have to turn every forum into Omni? :mad:
Actually, I think this thread just struck a nerve with someone who's at "Freeload University!" :D

Eye do not think we should be pointing fingers at whether or not one should pay an arm and a leg versus acquiring freebies or low-cost room rates for Hilton family accommodations, but can we please toe the line here, move on ahead and go back to the original topic before other FlyerTalk members cannot stomach this thread any longer?

The topic is Cut off our foot.

-----------------------------

On second thought, martinplas, if you want to change the topic to something clearer and more descriptive, please let me know and I will be more than happy to do so for you.

Regards,

Canarsie
Co-Moderator, Hilton forum

I think the topic is just too painful even to think of, let alone discuss.... :eek: :D

I think the topic is just too painful even to think of, let alone discuss.... :eek: :DHey, you’re the one who came up with the use of the word nerve, KathyWdrf:Actually, I think this thread just struck a nerve with someone who's at "Freeload University!"Whether or not anyone has a bone to pick with you, I must admit that that would have been an excellent one to add to my anatomically-descriptive milepost!

Well, Im back and first
Cut off our foot meant for me that our generous passing around of offers has been crippled by the results being noticed by the offeree and finding out their liabilities are much larger than they planned for,hence little or no offers ,or targeted promotions to a select few

Do you perhaps need a definition of the word "perhaps?" ;)

Here is one from the online version of the Merriam-Webster dictionary (www.m-w.com):



(Also, you seriously misquoted me, removing sentences from the middle of my post and jamming together two unrelated paragraphs into one.)


B.S, just where did I " seriously misquote" you?
I just didnt include the entire post, the relevant paragraph was included and no matter how you try to dance around it, what you said and what you are now trying to say is quite different.

Us intellectually challenged readers appreciate the time you did take to post the dictionary definition at least just a little more than the the assinine " freeloaders university" comment.
mike

I agree with the moderator. Sometimes I think FTs take themselves to seriously when it comes to Hilton. When you compare how many posts there are on the FT Hilton page to the amount of rooms Hilton rents each day it's a pittance. However; if something really bad posted say 25000 complaints; Hilton would probably take notice and fix it asap. With regard to target promos. Hilton is just trying to "poach" customers from other programs. These customers (IMHO) really dont stay that much and really are not loyal to anyone. I must admit though, it really stinks to see Hilton give out 1-3-5 promos to unloyal people. It doesnt hurt in the short run but really sucks when these folks tighten up avail at say Cavalieri for us loyal multi-year Diamonds who usually get diddly promos Ciao Rwill