Is There an Elite Status Level Above Hilton Honors Diamond?
Dec 1, 2003, 9:02 am
#61
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: BOS
Programs: JetBlue Mosaic, WN A List Preferred, Hyatt Globalest, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, IHG Spire
Posts: 3,966
Just because Hilton, Starwood, or American Airlines does not have a level beyond their published top tier does not mean that you cannot individually negotiate something for yourself. In fact, a self-negotiated agreement may be better, as you could get benefits that are important to you.
I would start by contacting, in the case of Hilton,
[email protected]
who is a VP in HHonors. If you feel more comfortable, alternatively or in addition to contacting Adam, you could contact the GM at the property(s) you frequent the most.
I would be very surprised if either Adam or someone at Hilton would not work with you to recognize your 200 night per year loyalty over the basic Diamond benefits.
Now they may ask you not to post exactly what they do for you, but again I would be shocked if they just tell you to go ahead and give the business to Starwood, Hyatt, Marrioott, etc. rather than working with you.
Similarly, the airlines can and do provide undocumented benefits to certain travelers.
Above all else, don't think that you have to live with in the little box they set up. If you and Hilton think outside the box, I'm sure you can come up with something mutually satisfying.
Same goes for any other business as well.
I would start by contacting, in the case of Hilton,
[email protected]
who is a VP in HHonors. If you feel more comfortable, alternatively or in addition to contacting Adam, you could contact the GM at the property(s) you frequent the most.
I would be very surprised if either Adam or someone at Hilton would not work with you to recognize your 200 night per year loyalty over the basic Diamond benefits.
Now they may ask you not to post exactly what they do for you, but again I would be shocked if they just tell you to go ahead and give the business to Starwood, Hyatt, Marrioott, etc. rather than working with you.
Similarly, the airlines can and do provide undocumented benefits to certain travelers.
Above all else, don't think that you have to live with in the little box they set up. If you and Hilton think outside the box, I'm sure you can come up with something mutually satisfying.
Same goes for any other business as well.
Dec 1, 2003, 6:37 pm
#62
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: AUS DL PM MM, HH LTD
Posts: 1,853
As almost all of my nights are at a single hotel, I have negotiated benefits important to me. However, what happens when we stop travelling? Does Hilton treat us as peons if we only travel a dozen leisure nights a year? What happened to the 1500-2000 nights I gave to Hilton while working? If someone has an in at Hilton, that to me would be the most welcome benefit; Lifetime Diamond.
marc
marc
Dec 1, 2003, 11:29 pm
#63
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: YYZ, YYJ, ZRH
Programs: AC MM
Posts: 430
Jetsetter:
Your idea might make sense for Diesel, who is at a different hotel all the time (man, Diesel, I have sympathy for you), but for those of us like myself and Marc who camp out at the same place all the time - well, in my case, I have no complaints, the staff treat me like I was the GM of the hotel. I mean, in my case, they could totally discontinue the Hhonors program, and I would still stay with them.
Your idea might make sense for Diesel, who is at a different hotel all the time (man, Diesel, I have sympathy for you), but for those of us like myself and Marc who camp out at the same place all the time - well, in my case, I have no complaints, the staff treat me like I was the GM of the hotel. I mean, in my case, they could totally discontinue the Hhonors program, and I would still stay with them.
Mar 9, 2004, 2:45 am
#64
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Newcastle, UK
Posts: 2,379
Level Above Diamond
Thought this piece of info might be of interest if it's true. During a timeshare tour last week at the HHV, I was asked by the sales rep if I knew that there was a level higher than diamond in the HHonors program. Obviously I didn't and he then went on to explain it was called Black Diamond and was not publicised and was by invitation only. People with this status were collected by limos at the airport and had to be personally welcomed at the hotel by the manager on duty. He didn't give any other details but it must be for the rich and famous. Anybody else ever heard of this level?
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Chris
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Chris
Mar 9, 2004, 5:39 am
#66
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Whitehall, PA, USA
Programs: HHonors Gold
Posts: 580
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by cjd:
Thought this piece of info might be of interest if it's true. During a timeshare tour last week at the HHV, I was asked by the sales rep if I knew that there was a level higher than diamond in the HHonors program. Obviously I didn't and he then went on to explain it was called Black Diamond and was not publicised and was by invitation only. People with this status were collected by limos at the airport and had to be personally welcomed at the hotel by the manager on duty. He didn't give any other details but it must be for the rich and famous. Anybody else ever heard of this level?
</font>
Thought this piece of info might be of interest if it's true. During a timeshare tour last week at the HHV, I was asked by the sales rep if I knew that there was a level higher than diamond in the HHonors program. Obviously I didn't and he then went on to explain it was called Black Diamond and was not publicised and was by invitation only. People with this status were collected by limos at the airport and had to be personally welcomed at the hotel by the manager on duty. He didn't give any other details but it must be for the rich and famous. Anybody else ever heard of this level?
</font>
Mar 9, 2004, 5:52 am
#67
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Siesta Key
Programs: AA EXP-1.6MM, Hilton Diamond, ManU & Chicago Bears #1 Fan
Posts: 9,697
And why would you be surprised?
It's been known and talked about on FT for some time now, that every program has a special VIP status for the very few privileged. Can you imagine a famous movie star or a very succesful business person waiting in line at an airport or a hotel, or for that matter a restaurant/theater/nightclub? If that person shows an interest in using any particular company for their travel needs, I would assume there are people/tavel agents that specialize in getting them a special status that bypasses any and all hassles that the average Joe Blow has to go through.
It's been known and talked about on FT for some time now, that every program has a special VIP status for the very few privileged. Can you imagine a famous movie star or a very succesful business person waiting in line at an airport or a hotel, or for that matter a restaurant/theater/nightclub? If that person shows an interest in using any particular company for their travel needs, I would assume there are people/tavel agents that specialize in getting them a special status that bypasses any and all hassles that the average Joe Blow has to go through.
Mar 9, 2004, 9:25 am
#68
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: CMI
Programs: AA EXP & 2MM, HH DIA, Hertz GLD
Posts: 954
Howdy,
Two separate things.
1. Very high volume travelers are quietly given greater perks. If your spending over 100k a year (I pulled this number out of thin air, I have no idea what the 'break' point is for a regular Diamond v.s. a special guest) (booking full priced presidendial suites, etc...) then the hotel's will bend over backwords for you. These whales are far and few between (generally sales types, booking large rooms, etc...). Yes, they get more than Diamond benefits.
2. VIP's (VIP=person who would be mobbed in public and cause mass confusion if they even tried to stand in line. i.e. Britteny Spears). These people pay over-market rates, and get the services to match. Drop 20k for a weekend stay at the Ritz and they'll pick you up in a limo, wisk you into a back entrance up to the presidential suite in the towers and wait on you hand and foot.
These folks aren't more special than anyone else - they just have the wallets to back it up. And you can certainly buy the VIP treatment if you want it; you just can't ***** about cost.
What if you are a VIP who isn't spending a lot of money? Well the best you can get is back-entrance check-in. Again - if you aren't spending the dollars - they aren't going to bend over for you - but if you might cause a scene (through no fault of your own) most hotels are happy to arrange in-room check-in.
Just my two cents, YMMV.
Keep the faith,
Pakse
Two separate things.
1. Very high volume travelers are quietly given greater perks. If your spending over 100k a year (I pulled this number out of thin air, I have no idea what the 'break' point is for a regular Diamond v.s. a special guest) (booking full priced presidendial suites, etc...) then the hotel's will bend over backwords for you. These whales are far and few between (generally sales types, booking large rooms, etc...). Yes, they get more than Diamond benefits.
2. VIP's (VIP=person who would be mobbed in public and cause mass confusion if they even tried to stand in line. i.e. Britteny Spears). These people pay over-market rates, and get the services to match. Drop 20k for a weekend stay at the Ritz and they'll pick you up in a limo, wisk you into a back entrance up to the presidential suite in the towers and wait on you hand and foot.
These folks aren't more special than anyone else - they just have the wallets to back it up. And you can certainly buy the VIP treatment if you want it; you just can't ***** about cost.
What if you are a VIP who isn't spending a lot of money? Well the best you can get is back-entrance check-in. Again - if you aren't spending the dollars - they aren't going to bend over for you - but if you might cause a scene (through no fault of your own) most hotels are happy to arrange in-room check-in.
Just my two cents, YMMV.
Keep the faith,
Pakse
Mar 9, 2004, 3:51 pm
#69
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,388
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sassamanlaw:
Unfortunately there are only two members who get these benefits and their names are Paris and Nikki.</font>
Unfortunately there are only two members who get these benefits and their names are Paris and Nikki.
</font>
I wonder if they send you a lump of coal in your welcome kit?
Jun 2, 2004, 7:06 pm
#71
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 213
Hilton - will you create a Double Diamond ?
Somewhat of a less frequent occurrence this year but at 'home'.
Have earned about 400k points this year through hotel stays only. This more than doubled what I had earned in total for 3+ years prior.
Unreasonable to recommend to Hilton to create a new category? Like the ski-slopes and mountain-bike trails (at least Slick Rock in Utah), there are Double (black) Diamond portions of some slopes/runs.
What about only 24 hr advance notice for room cancellation? My last "trip" became two, then three, then four as it got extended three times, once to a different city.
Any thoughts on this from others? Please state:
# points this year (at least 50k) Desired Benefit Enhancements
Have earned about 400k points this year through hotel stays only. This more than doubled what I had earned in total for 3+ years prior.
Unreasonable to recommend to Hilton to create a new category? Like the ski-slopes and mountain-bike trails (at least Slick Rock in Utah), there are Double (black) Diamond portions of some slopes/runs.
What about only 24 hr advance notice for room cancellation? My last "trip" became two, then three, then four as it got extended three times, once to a different city.
Any thoughts on this from others? Please state:
# points this year (at least 50k) Desired Benefit Enhancements
Jun 2, 2004, 7:12 pm
#72
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,069
...400,000!
And I thought I was doing well managing 90,000 base points in 65 nights so far.
Wow.
When all is said and done it will be ny third year of roughly 100+ nights and 200,000 base points.
Double Diamond is long overdue.
But, I'm unsure, off-the-cuff, what else I'd be looking for.
How'd you get 400,000?
In how many nights?
And I thought I was doing well managing 90,000 base points in 65 nights so far.
Wow.
When all is said and done it will be ny third year of roughly 100+ nights and 200,000 base points.
Double Diamond is long overdue.
But, I'm unsure, off-the-cuff, what else I'd be looking for.
How'd you get 400,000?
In how many nights?
Jun 2, 2004, 9:52 pm
#73
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 213
About 28 stays, 55-60 nights (can't get into website).
1. Got stuck with some very high rate rooms at last minute as last trip got extended ($339 area)
2. A lot of in room dining, etc
3. NY has a double base points promotion going on I noticed and now it's extended until year end.
1. Got stuck with some very high rate rooms at last minute as last trip got extended ($339 area)
2. A lot of in room dining, etc
3. NY has a double base points promotion going on I noticed and now it's extended until year end.
Jun 3, 2004, 12:31 am
#74
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Reno, Nevada
Posts: 7,368
Originally Posted by Expatriate
3. NY has a double base points promotion going on I noticed and now it's extended until year end.
Mike
Last edited by nako; Jun 3, 2004 at 12:32 am Reason: Grammar is hard. ;)
Jun 3, 2004, 12:33 am
#75
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: EWR
Posts: 681
imho, the benefits might not be as much one would think. quickly:
1. if i could achieve double diamond in 1 chain, why not diamond at 2 chains? if i travel that much, "spreading out the eggs" might be a good idea. cos my next destination might be a hilton desert, or a hyatt desert, or ...
2. if i travel that much, chances r i'm on expense, in which case free stuff wouldnt be as effective. some companies book suites, others dont cover laundry, etc. it'll be hard for any one benefit to entice a wide audience, and if u hv too many benefits, hilton would be on the losing end.
my $0.02
1. if i could achieve double diamond in 1 chain, why not diamond at 2 chains? if i travel that much, "spreading out the eggs" might be a good idea. cos my next destination might be a hilton desert, or a hyatt desert, or ...
2. if i travel that much, chances r i'm on expense, in which case free stuff wouldnt be as effective. some companies book suites, others dont cover laundry, etc. it'll be hard for any one benefit to entice a wide audience, and if u hv too many benefits, hilton would be on the losing end.
my $0.02