Hilton HHonors - Different levels of Diamond?? (or Gold)?

I know this has been discussed in previous years, and the consensus answer was “no, there are NOT different levels of Diamond (or Gold/Silver).” However, I still wonder. For over 4 yrs now, I’ve maintained my stay count at over 30/year (on a monthly basis). Though I had some great upgrades as Diamond, I was also bothered by the lack of benefits for many of my stays, mostly poor or no upgrades.

However, things changed last year. After a 2-room 6-night stay at HWV (one paid, one reward, all on my folio), with the family running up a nice amount of expenses, in July for the first time I had over 100,000 points (over the previous 12 months), and have been above that number since then. And since July ’06, with very few exceptions, we have been treated wonderfully, often above expectations, at Hiltons and Conrads.

So my question: is this simply a coincidence? Or do they really treat “different levels” of Diamond differently?

I hope this simply has been HH returning to the promised level of service for all Diamonds, but by reading comments on this board, I know that isn’t totally true! After June this year, our running points total will drop below the 100,000 level, so I’m not sure what to expect then.

Reading the threads in the HH forum I get a totally different viewpoint of the current treatment for HH Diamonds. Less meaningful upgrades, less invites to the executive lounge if not upgraded to the executive level, crappier gifts, skimpier breakfasts etc. I really dont consider a room on the second floor, with a bottle of water and a mini-bag of Fritos an (A) upgrade and a (B) special gift. Oh yes and the booking of rooms using HH points is getting harder and harder.

MisterNice

Unfortunately I do not see any difference. I had about 80 stays a year and 2 mio points in my account - no difference.

I've been diamond for about 10years, with well over a million points in my account for the last 4 years, and I can find no rhyme nor reason to how I am treated. Sometimes it's great, sometimes, I'm just another Joe. This is the least consistent program to which I belong. Generally though, the foreign Hiltons (except UK) treat me far better than the domestic ones.

The more I stay at a particular Hilton the more consistent my benefits.Unfortunately i am a traveller so often staying for first time at any particular Hilton.It has been posted here that any Hilton property can access your stay history -ie how many Conrads,Hiltons or whether it is usually at Hamptons.I guess this may have something to do with the perception of different classes of diamond.

The more I stay at a particular Hilton the more consistent my benefits.Unfortunately i am a traveller so often staying for first time at any particular Hilton.It has been posted here that any Hilton property can access your stay history -ie how many Conrads,Hiltons or whether it is usually at Hamptons.I guess this may have something to do with the perception of different classes of diamond.
I do not think it is stay history. I think it is HHonors points, and base points. I am normally treated well. Some hotels treat me average, but I have never heard the word no from the DD. I know the DD looks at your acoount. I never let mine get below 150 nights 70 stays, & 200k base points. Like I said they have never said no to me or given me any problems. I do wish though I could book suites for a reward sty like SPG.

i have been diamond for 2+ years...upgrades/perks are limited to a bottle of water and some cookies. wow.

So my question: is this simply a coincidence? Or do they really treat “different levels” of Diamond differently?

Coincidence. I have never seen any evidence of different levels of diamond or gold. I have seen additional amenities or perks when I make a habit of staying at the same hotel on a regular basis.

I know this has been discussed in previous years, and the consensus answer was “no, there are NOT different levels of Diamond (or Gold/Silver).” However, I still wonder. For over 4 yrs now, I’ve maintained my stay count at over 30/year (on a monthly basis). Though I had some great upgrades as Diamond, I was also bothered by the lack of benefits for many of my stays, mostly poor or no upgrades.

However, things changed last year. After a 2-room 6-night stay at HWV (one paid, one reward, all on my folio), with the family running up a nice amount of expenses, in July for the first time I had over 100,000 points (over the previous 12 months), and have been above that number since then. And since July ’06, with very few exceptions, we have been treated wonderfully, often above expectations, at Hiltons and Conrads.

So my question: is this simply a coincidence? Or do they really treat “different levels” of Diamond differently?

I hope this simply has been HH returning to the promised level of service for all Diamonds, but by reading comments on this board, I know that isn’t totally true! After June this year, our running points total will drop below the 100,000 level, so I’m not sure what to expect then.

Were you staying at lower end Hilton properties? You won't see much difference in Diamond vs. Gold... or even vs. normal customer at the lower end properties. You had mentioned 30 stays/year but less than 100,000 points... not sure your circumstances and how often you spend the points, but generally speaking you should be way over 100k points with 30-stays, and even more so if you are using AMEX and Citi cards.

Were you staying at lower end Hilton properties? You won't see much difference in Diamond vs. Gold... or even vs. normal customer at the lower end properties. You had mentioned 30 stays/year but less than 100,000 points... not sure your circumstances and how often you spend the points, but generally speaking you should be way over 100k points with 30-stays, and even more so if you are using AMEX and Citi cards.

Maintaining 100,000 base points over the previous 12 months, with 30 stays, averages out to over $300/stay, so no, these usually are not the lower end properties. Using points do not take away from the base points system of qualifying for Diamond. But I do have a Hampton stay coming up! Surprises me, because I do not like them!

I think I have been the "victim" of favorable luck!