Hilton HHonors - Why Shouldn't a Diamond Wait Until 12/26 to book New Years Stay at Sydney Hilton

I was looking at booking a stay over New Years at the Sydney Hilton (yeah I know it's late) and I see that it is sold out. Since I am a HHonors Diamond, I have the option to play that card and book the room at AUD$520 per night. That's OK with me, except that the want to charge the entire stay right now.

My first thought is to hold off and not use the diamond option until late December.

Is that a good or bad idea, and why?

MO

Because they could call it extraordinary times (the holidays and all) and not allow a force and you may not get a room?

I wanted to stay at this hotel over New Years using hhonors points, and am also a diamond member. If I remember correctly the wanted a AU$3k refundable deposit (non refundable if the booking is cancelled), so I told them I was not prepared to do this.

I was looking at booking a stay over New Years at the Sydney Hilton (yeah I know it's late) and I see that it is sold out. Since I am a HHonors Diamond, I have the option to play that card and book the room at AUD$520 per night. That's OK with me, except that the want to charge the entire stay right now.

My first thought is to hold off and not use the diamond option until late December.

Is that a good or bad idea, and why?

MO


It is not a good idea- see the T&C



Guaranteed Reservations availability:

Reservations availability is guaranteed to Diamond VIPs when reservations are made before midnight hotel local time, 48 hours prior to intended arrival. Guarantee applies to only one room occupied by the Diamond VIP member and to reservations made with a valid credit card.

Please note that this guarantee does not apply to rates - if a rate for which you are normally eligible is not available, your reservation will be subject to the hotel's prevailing rate for the accommodations requested.

Please also note that in some instances, the guarantee may be subject to booking conditions such as length of stay requirements.

Also note that in the event you do not arrive as scheduled and do not call to cancel and obtain a cancellation number, your credit card will be billed for one night's room and tax.

Additionally, the reservations guarantee is not available during specified Extraordinary Demand Dates at certain hotels and is not available for reservations booked online.



You can be alsolutely sure that New Year's Eve in Sydney would be a "specified Extraordinary Demand Date"

Make your reservation now, while it is available. You can always cancel later if you plans change

Follow up.

Diamond Desk was able to force an award for the New Years periods. The reservation does require a deposit. It is an award stay and the deposit will be refunded upon check out. The Diamond Desk was even able to get me an AXON award! Which saved me over 35,000 points

The rooms are currently priced at AUD$530 per night. The award is for 36,250 a night.

MO