Diamond force no more?
Mar 1, 2017, 9:13 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA, BA, Accor, Honors Diamond, IHG Diamond Elite and lots more....
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Diamond force no more?
I assume this has now gone.
Given that hotels are allowed to charge premium room points for basic rooms and get around the old category cap, I assume as diamonds one can no longer force a room at the standard rate.
I do not recall this diamond benefit being withdrawn and maybe it already had, but I suspect that it has quietly been dropped otherwise we would be seeing hotels smashing through the cap that was guaranteed not to be breached.
Perhaps it went a year ago?
Given that hotels are allowed to charge premium room points for basic rooms and get around the old category cap, I assume as diamonds one can no longer force a room at the standard rate.
I do not recall this diamond benefit being withdrawn and maybe it already had, but I suspect that it has quietly been dropped otherwise we would be seeing hotels smashing through the cap that was guaranteed not to be breached.
Perhaps it went a year ago?
Mar 1, 2017, 10:04 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,909
Diamond force was the ability to force award stay even in sold out conditions - an equivalent of diamond guarantee but on points which was obviously exceptionally valuable. It was enhanced away several years ago.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...ve-thread.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...ve-thread.html
Mar 1, 2017, 1:49 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manchester, England
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, BMI Gold (RIP)
Posts: 8,021
And just to back you up, I was still being offered Diamond inventory on points in the UK up to a few weeks ago when some properties were sold out. It definitely still was an option at some properties.
Mar 1, 2017, 1:54 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA, BA, Accor, Honors Diamond, IHG Diamond Elite and lots more....
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I know that I used it fairly recently.
Just a case of what is recent
Mar 1, 2017, 1:59 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,156
The minimum stay wouldn't have applied for a diamond award, so the room showed as available on points when not otherwise available.
No idea if this is still the case after the recent changes...
Mar 2, 2017, 3:08 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: AA EXP/5 MM, BA Blue Bayou, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 5,827
Diamond force is still a benefit for paid bookings, 24 hours in advance at Hilton properties only IIRC. Usually it is a silly rack rate but if you really need a room it can come in handy.
As stated awards were phased out c 2012.
As stated awards were phased out c 2012.
Mar 2, 2017, 3:17 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
I have used the diamond force many times and NEVER paid rack rate for it.
Apr 16, 2017, 4:40 pm
#13
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