Hilton HHonors - First reward reservation with Hilton - phone or web booking best for diamond member?

Hi all,

About to use my hard earned Hilton points (Hard earned as I've mostly got them staying at the Hilton in Blackpool in the UK, a pretty terrible hotel!) for a 3 day stay in Tokyo. I'm a Marriott regular (& Plat there) but have only just switched to Hilton so wanted to find out how it is best to do the booking?

With Marriott I make important reward reservations over the phone, rather than the website, as the agents on the platinum line seem to write 'kind' words which make the chances of an upgrade happening higher, or just direct the check-in clerk to be reminded that I'm a platinum.

Does the same apply to Hilton (use the diamond number), or might I as well use the website for the booking?

Finally, as far as I can tell from my dates (13th Dec - 16th Dec) there is no points stretcher availability, am I correct?

TIA,

lv

If you can get what you want on the web site there is no reason not to book it there. I have never heard of Diamond Desk reps writing anything on a reservation that improved the chances of an upgrade. You would be better off just writing to the hotel shortly before your stay.

I booked a 4 night award stay at the Conrad Tokyo on the web site and got my executive lounge access just as expected. The hotel was very aware of my Diamond status and I was treated accordingly. I was able to book a bay view room, which is the way to go at that hotel, so the only "upgrade" would have been to an exec floor room, which were all full at the time. No big deal. If you're thinking about that hotel, and can't book the bay view online, then it might be worth calling to see if you can book a it over the phone.

At the end of last year I stayed at the Hilton Budapest Castle see my report (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilton-hhonors/837890-hilton-budapest-castle-hotel-trip-reports-reviews-5.html#post11987231). You'll note that the service I got by calling was much better than had I done it on my own b/c I couldn't get a stay without doing a DSA. You might be better off calling.

Start online. If what you want is shown as available, grab it and be done. If what you want is shown as unavailable, call in, because the website award inventory display is not reliable (even for Diamonds). You may still be able to get what you're after.

i guess it all depends....i have made most of my reward reservations through the diamond desk, because this way i can let them know well in advance what time i will be checking in/checking out or if i need an airport transfer or anything else....sometimes there are rooms available that do not show up online....the best example i can give you is from my experience yesterday....the doubletree guest suites in time square was showing sold out for new years eve....i called the diamond desk & not only was the agent able to get me a room, he was able to make a reward reservation for me....i love this benefit....

I've only once seen an upgrade available to me while booking a reward online--and it wasn't a noticeable upgrade--something like garden view vs. parking lot. It is well worth your while to have the diamond desk request your upgrade via the booking system.

I haven't figured out how to book a GLONP online, am I just too dumb (likely) or can these only be booked over the phone? I always only get the standard reward rates shown (e.g. 6 nights at cat. 6 = 240k points instead of 175 with GLONP).

Start online. If what you want is shown as available, grab it and be done. If what you want is shown as unavailable, call in, because the website award inventory display is not reliable (even for Diamonds). You may still be able to get what you're after.Funny you mention this since I am having that problem this morning. Award inventory at a hotel I want only has smoking. There seems to be ample non-smoking rooms in the same (lowest) category. I called the D desk and they coudn't comprehend what I wanted. So it sounds like I should call back.