Hilton HHonors - A Proposal for Hilton: Upgrade Credits

I always find that I get an upgrade when I need it least (travelling on business by myself, I get a suite) and don't get one when I want it most (travelling with the family, I get a tiny room).

Why not offer Gold and Diamonds "upgrade credits" to be used at Hilton hotels? Much like United uses their systemwide upgrades and regional upgrades for its 1K members, Hilton could issue a set number of upgrade coupons -- some for "room upgrades" (e.g., to the executive floor) and a limited number for "suite upgrades" -- to be used at any participating Hilton hotel. Naturally, those upgrades are based on availability, but they would be confirmable within, say 24-48 hours of check-in. That way, you would be able to book a regular room and use an upgrade coupon for a guaranteed suite.

This would be a huge benefit and separate Hilton from the rest of the hotel pack. Oh, and I would hope you could use coupons in conjunction with award reservations, but (like United), they might not allow that.

With the devaluation of Diamond, offering, say 20 upgrades (15 room and 5 suites) as opposed to 10 for Golds would be a big benefit.

I'm thinking of writing it up and sending it to Hilton. First, what are the problems associated with such a plan? Second, should I bother contacting Hilton about it?

I'm thinking of writing it up and sending it to Hilton. First, what are the problems associated with such a plan? Second, should I bother contacting Hilton about it?

There will be a tendency to save the "credits" for the more desirable hotels, and skip the upgrades at the less desirable places. I could actually see it being more difficult to get upgrades at certain properties were it implemented, just as it is often difficult to use systemwide upgrades on higher-demand routes. (After all, just as someone will not burn a SWU on a 500-mile flight, they're unlikely to burn them at an HGI in the middle of nowhere.)

Personally, I don't like the idea, and if it were me, I wouldn't bother contacting Hilton.

Mike

I'd rather have it like it is now. I really don't like dealing with certificates that can be lost or forgotten at home, or having to make an additional contact with the hotel before arriving to confirm an upgrade. With either system, there's really no guarantee of an upgrade on any stay. But with the current system, I could potentially have unlimited upgrades (if I get it on every stay), versus 20 potential upgrades with this proposal. The one thing I think would be nice would be a limited number of confirmed in advance upgrades I could use at the time of booking. Of course, these would be very limited, and in addition to the current upgrade system. But it might let you get the best of both worlds -- the ability to get unlimited upgrades based on availability each stay, and the ability to confirm an upgrade well in advance on a small number of nights each year.

But as for replacing the current upgrade perk for Diamonds and Golds with something based on certificates and a limited number of upgrades per year, I think that's a bad idea, and would make HHonors less competitive with Starwood and Marriott.

I think it is a bad idea. Some properties will become harder to upgrade.

I like the current system, and also like the have it your way benefit options - where you can chose to forego any upgrade in return for some other benefit (handy if an upgrade looks unlikely or is of little value for a particular stay).

I would like to be able to upgrade to a suite from a paid room by using a certain amount of points.

I would like to be able to upgrade to a suite from a paid room by using a certain amount of points.

Even if you currently get it for free based on status? (Subject to availability etc)

Even if you currently get it for free based on status? (Subject to availability etc)

Kiwi, how often do you get a suite upgrade? Executive floor, o.k., but a suite? I don't see why Hilton should not offer suite upgrades with points.

Fairly often outside US. Not so often within US but still not bad. Overall last year about 50% of the time, and that doesn't allow for some hotels not having suites.

But if a room is available for points/upgrade credit upgrade then it is likely also available for free status upgrade IMHO.

Even if you currently get it for free based on status? (Subject to availability etc)

Yes even if I currently get it for free based on status because I find a suite upgrade to be rare in the US. Leave it for free on status but if I want to ensure that I get an upgrade I would like to be able to use pts.

Fairmont did this (they may still do, I've lost my elite status). Platinums got a number of confirmable suite upgrade certs good for up to 5 nights each, as well as a higher number of one-category room upgrades. All were confirmable at time of reservation based on availability; they were also good on award stays (which were quite different in Fairmont's program - Plats got, IIRC, 3 free nights per year at any property with no blackout dates - there was no way to earn more). I always managed to burn all the suite upgrades; I rarely redeemed the room category upgrades since normally as a Plat you could count on a best-available upgrade at checkin. OTOH, the Category upgrades were useful in Hawaii - pay for OV, upgrade to DOF, for example.

Anyway, I liked the program and see no downside if HH did this only for Golds and Diamonds; it would be a good incentive to hit/retain those levels.

I'd rather have it like it is now. I really don't like dealing with certificates that can be lost or forgotten at home, or having to make an additional contact with the hotel before arriving to confirm an upgrade. With either system, there's really no guarantee of an upgrade on any stay. But with the current system, I could potentially have unlimited upgrades (if I get it on every stay), versus 20 potential upgrades with this proposal. The one thing I think would be nice would be a limited number of confirmed in advance upgrades I could use at the time of booking. Of course, these would be very limited, and in addition to the current upgrade system. But it might let you get the best of both worlds -- the ability to get unlimited upgrades based on availability each stay, and the ability to confirm an upgrade well in advance on a small number of nights each year.

But as for replacing the current upgrade perk for Diamonds and Golds with something based on certificates and a limited number of upgrades per year, I think that's a bad idea, and would make HHonors less competitive with Starwood and Marriott.


Very well said!! I agree 100%

I'm thinking of writing it up and sending it to Hilton. First, what are the problems associated with such a plan? Second, should I bother contacting Hilton about it?

You may wish to take a look at the Hyatt Suite Upgrade certificate. One of these certificates is sent to each Diamond member each year and it is good for a complimentary suite upgrade for up to four consecutive nights.

Although there are some fine print provisions regarding ineligible rates and availability, this benefit is apparently appreciated by those who receive the certificate.

Fairly often outside US. Not so often within US but still not bad. Overall last year about 50% of the time, and that doesn't allow for some hotels not having suites.

But if a room is available for points/upgrade credit upgrade then it is likely also available for free status upgrade IMHO.

must travel more outside the US :) with the fast track to Diamond ... Suite upgrades are coming up ;)

You may wish to take a look at the Hyatt Suite Upgrade certificate. One of these certificates is sent to each Diamond member each year and it is good for a complimentary suite upgrade for up to four consecutive nights.

Although there are some fine print provisions regarding ineligible rates and availability, this benefit is apparently appreciated by those who receive the certificate.


Another benefit, would be a once a year usage of maybe 50,000 pts more for a GLON2 Award??? Maybe you can spend 25,000 or 50,000 pts more and get a Suite Upgrade for a Free Vacation. Can be Diamond Only (and Once a year or something)??? Wow, what a concept.. a Diamond Only Award at Hilton..