Hilton Agrees to Be Bought by Blackstone
Jul 3, 2007, 4:10 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: AA (1MM), Marriott (LT Gold)
Posts: 1,766
Hilton Agrees to Be Bought by Blackstone
Here's a link to the news story:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/5d524270-29a...2Cs01%3D1.html
(Hopefully, posting the article is not against the T&C's.)
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/5d524270-29a...2Cs01%3D1.html
(Hopefully, posting the article is not against the T&C's.)
Jul 3, 2007, 4:26 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,905
Not good news for HHonors members. They are private now, and not subject to the frequent guest program competition market. A complete overhaul could mean the end of the HHonors program and tier structure as we know it. Blackstone has a habit of stipping its acquisitions down to the bare bones and leaving empty shell companies. They've been doing it for years. Uh oh.
Jul 3, 2007, 4:48 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH diamond
Posts: 2,646
That's what I'm planning to do. Close to 400K to use! If things are changed, I wonder how long the grandfather period for already issued awards will be.
I hope the changeover won't alter things too much. I have saved so much money with awards. And they have kept me loyal to Hilton. Time will tell.
I hope the changeover won't alter things too much. I have saved so much money with awards. And they have kept me loyal to Hilton. Time will tell.
Jul 3, 2007, 4:55 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,905
?? Sorry it seems indiscernable to you. Let me try to make it clear - PRIVATE COMPANIES DONT ANSWER TO INVESTORS - HILTON IS NOW PRIVATELY HELD, IT WAS PUBLIC - SO NOW THERE IS NO ONE TO DEMAND THAT HILTON STAYS COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER MAJOR HOTEL CHAINS' GUEST PROGRAMS (IE. THE INVESTORS) - WHICH MEANS THE HHONORS PROGRAM MAY LOSE SOME OF ITS VALUE, BOTH IN POINTS, REWARDS, AND OVERALL REGARD FOR ITS MOST FREQUENT GUESTS (IE. DIAMONDS, GOLDS, ETC). Does it make sense now? LOL.
Jul 3, 2007, 5:08 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Summer at the Jersey Shore AAAH
Posts: 11,294
SSSSHhhh we tend not to SHOUT here, and I think your point has some value. The Blackstone group has just paid a premium for the Hilton group, and they will make their best efforts to make sure that investment pays off.
To piss off their best/ loyal customers by shredding the loyalty program in either the short or long term makes little sense. Why would they want to upset their best customers?
I wouldn't be surprised to see franchise fees and by extension room rates increase. I would expect under performing properties to be spun off, but I'd say for the foreseeable future your points and reward levels are safe.
To piss off their best/ loyal customers by shredding the loyalty program in either the short or long term makes little sense. Why would they want to upset their best customers?
I wouldn't be surprised to see franchise fees and by extension room rates increase. I would expect under performing properties to be spun off, but I'd say for the foreseeable future your points and reward levels are safe.
Jul 3, 2007, 5:09 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: AA (1MM), Marriott (LT Gold)
Posts: 1,766
?? Sorry it seems indiscernable to you. Let me try to make it clear - PRIVATE COMPANIES DONT ANSWER TO INVESTORS - HILTON IS NOW PRIVATELY HELD, IT WAS PUBLIC - SO NOW THERE IS NO ONE TO DEMAND THAT HILTON STAYS COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER MAJOR HOTEL CHAINS' GUEST PROGRAMS (IE. THE INVESTORS) - WHICH MEANS THE HHONORS PROGRAM MAY LOSE SOME OF ITS VALUE, BOTH IN POINTS, REWARDS, AND OVERALL REGARD FOR ITS MOST FREQUENT GUESTS (IE. DIAMONDS, GOLDS, ETC). Does it make sense now? LOL.
Jul 3, 2007, 5:13 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Bay Area
Programs: HH, PC, SPG, MR, GP, US, UA, AA
Posts: 3,464
?? Sorry it seems indiscernable to you. Let me try to make it clear - PRIVATE COMPANIES DONT ANSWER TO INVESTORS - HILTON IS NOW PRIVATELY HELD, IT WAS PUBLIC - SO NOW THERE IS NO ONE TO DEMAND THAT HILTON STAYS COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER MAJOR HOTEL CHAINS' GUEST PROGRAMS (IE. THE INVESTORS) - WHICH MEANS THE HHONORS PROGRAM MAY LOSE SOME OF ITS VALUE, BOTH IN POINTS, REWARDS, AND OVERALL REGARD FOR ITS MOST FREQUENT GUESTS (IE. DIAMONDS, GOLDS, ETC). Does it make sense now? LOL.
Last edited by rdchen; Jul 3, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Jul 3, 2007, 5:27 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1MM, Delta Plat
Posts: 11,224
SSSSHhhh we tend not to SHOUT here, and I think your point has some value. The Blackstone group has just paid a premium for the Hilton group, and they will make their best efforts to make sure that investment pays off.
To piss off their best/ loyal customers by shredding the loyalty program in either the short or long term makes little sense. Why would they want to upset their best customers?
I wouldn't be surprised to see franchise fees and by extension room rates increase. I would expect under performing properties to be spun off, but I'd say for the foreseeable future your points and reward levels are safe.
To piss off their best/ loyal customers by shredding the loyalty program in either the short or long term makes little sense. Why would they want to upset their best customers?
I wouldn't be surprised to see franchise fees and by extension room rates increase. I would expect under performing properties to be spun off, but I'd say for the foreseeable future your points and reward levels are safe.
Jul 3, 2007, 5:28 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
Posts: 7,664
Wow!!! Welcome to Pamploma the rumour bulls didnt take but a few hours to start the stampede of silly, unfounded, speculation by resident " experts"
Lets see if any of the experts can name a single travel/lodging company that has been taken private and their existing loyalty prgram gutted??
mike
Lets see if any of the experts can name a single travel/lodging company that has been taken private and their existing loyalty prgram gutted??
mike
Jul 3, 2007, 5:31 pm
#15
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Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
Posts: 7,664