Hilton HHonors - Has HHonors Loosened Up Capacity Controls on Awards?

For quite a while I had a very difficult time redeeming points for the stays I wanted and had pretty much given up on HHonors. But I still had some points left over from all those 50K promos several years ago, and the last three times I tried for an award stay I was successful on all three - a weekend at Torrey Pines Hilton, a weekend at DT Modesto, and a midweek stay at DT in San Jose.

So now I'm wondering if it's worth reconsidering HHonors and accumulating points again, if I really am able to redeem them. What is the general feeling these days about the ability to redeem points when and where you want them? Thanks.

I have to admit -- I've been spoiled by Starwood's "we have a room, you have a room" award availability.. so unfortunately, I have been thoroughly disappointed by HHonors redemption (I have *never* seen any PointStretchers available. Why bother??). At this point, I'm saving up for a GLON2 and then I'm done with the program.

Unless you can achieve Diamond, you'll find availability about the same. Anything less, Starwood's availability is better. However, HH Gold gives way better bennies than SPG Gold.

I've been very happy with Hilton's award availability. I can book a week in Paris, three weeks from now, including Bastille Day, at almost any Hilton, including a Point Stretcher award at the CDG Hilton. That seems pretty good to me.

I live in CA and travel all of the time for work. I have status at ever hotel you can imagine. Over the last 3 years, I have had the best luck with Starwood. I actually can remember a time when they refused me a reward room. Marriott is second. They have been hit and miss but fairly good overall. Strangely enough, I have the most points with Hilton. I have been Diamond with them since 1995 (10 years now) and continue to have problems getting reward rooms. If I did not have a corporate contract with Hilton, I would definitely be putting all of my money with stays at Starwood Properties.

I truly do not think the capacity controls have been loosened. So far, I have tried to stay in London 8 different times this year on a reward. Each time I have received no award available. The only place I have been able to get a reward with Hilton so far this year has been Jackson, MS. They say a Diamond gets all the nice benefits but to be honest, I would just settle for a room.

Thanks Starwood for bailing me out each time.