Consolidated "Nor1 Hotels/Upgrades" Thread
Oct 8, 2009, 4:15 pm
#136
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,866
Not sure what the big deal is...
I stay at Hilton properties of all types almost weekly, and find that there has been no upgrade change at properties that use NOR1. The option is provided for all guests regardless of elite level; those properties that have always upgraded Diamonds on request still do so.
Oct 9, 2009, 6:08 am
#137
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: AA EXP/5 MM, BA Blue Bayou, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 5,824
I stay at Hilton properties of all types almost weekly, and find that there has been no upgrade change at properties that use NOR1. The option is provided for all guests regardless of elite level; those properties that have always upgraded Diamonds on request still do so.
Oct 9, 2009, 8:02 am
#138
Senior Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat/2MM [23-yr. 1K, now emeritus] clawing way back to WN-A List; MR LT Titanium; HY Whateverist.
Posts: 12,396
A related concern about the Nor-1 program is it really raises the question: why be loyal to Hilton at all? Why stay 15, 26, 50 or whatever stays and even more nights to earn available upgrades at the property when someone with zero status can plunk down their $29/night or whatever and get the suite or high-floor corner King. Then when the loyal HH member arrives, "sorry no upgrades available."
This could be a win-win program if implemented with regard to preserving u/g space for elites while still "selling" u/gs to non-status guests in a number not likely needed for the elite occupancy numbers. Some properties, though, seem to be pushing elite guests to expect u/gs under Nor-1 but not as an earned Diamond or Gold.
This could be a win-win program if implemented with regard to preserving u/g space for elites while still "selling" u/gs to non-status guests in a number not likely needed for the elite occupancy numbers. Some properties, though, seem to be pushing elite guests to expect u/gs under Nor-1 but not as an earned Diamond or Gold.
Oct 9, 2009, 9:47 am
#139
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Baltic Sea
Programs: AY, BT, DY and SK. Scandic, Radisson, Marriott and HHonors. ClubONE
Posts: 5,890
At least I got a bad feeling when I was offered a stand-by upgrade to exec floor for xx$, something I thought I would be entitled to for free. So I should "increase my changes" by paying more? 
Oct 9, 2009, 10:57 am
#140
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,866
As stated in my post, based on my extremely frequent stays at a variety of property types, NOR1 hasn't had any effect at all on the availability of upgrades.
Oct 10, 2009, 8:31 am
#141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
A related concern about the Nor-1 program is it really raises the question: why be loyal to Hilton at all? Why stay 15, 26, 50 or whatever stays and even more nights to earn available upgrades at the property when someone with zero status can plunk down their $29/night or whatever and get the suite or high-floor corner King. Then when the loyal HH member arrives, "sorry no upgrades available."
This could be a win-win program if implemented with regard to preserving u/g space for elites while still "selling" u/gs to non-status guests in a number not likely needed for the elite occupancy numbers. Some properties, though, seem to be pushing elite guests to expect u/gs under Nor-1 but not as an earned Diamond or Gold.
This could be a win-win program if implemented with regard to preserving u/g space for elites while still "selling" u/gs to non-status guests in a number not likely needed for the elite occupancy numbers. Some properties, though, seem to be pushing elite guests to expect u/gs under Nor-1 but not as an earned Diamond or Gold.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...u-explain.html
At a Hilton where I stay regularly, the Nor1 link used to show that I was a Diamond, and offered me the upgrade for $0.
On the last visit there, the Nor1 link did not reflect my Diamond status and tried to extort $20 per night from me for the upgrade.
I did not take the bait and, for the first time I can recall, I did not get the upgrade.
Oct 10, 2009, 8:54 am
#142
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
A related concern about the Nor-1 program is it really raises the question: why be loyal to Hilton at all? Why stay 15, 26, 50 or whatever stays and even more nights to earn available upgrades at the property when someone with zero status can plunk down their $29/night or whatever and get the suite or high-floor corner King. Then when the loyal HH member arrives, "sorry no upgrades available."
This could be a win-win program if implemented with regard to preserving u/g space for elites while still "selling" u/gs to non-status guests in a number not likely needed for the elite occupancy numbers. Some properties, though, seem to be pushing elite guests to expect u/gs under Nor-1 but not as an earned Diamond or Gold.
This could be a win-win program if implemented with regard to preserving u/g space for elites while still "selling" u/gs to non-status guests in a number not likely needed for the elite occupancy numbers. Some properties, though, seem to be pushing elite guests to expect u/gs under Nor-1 but not as an earned Diamond or Gold.
Hilton should work this like DL does when it has an undersold FC cabin and sells upgrades at the gate.
First and foremost, any elites who are on the upgrade list get their upgrades cleared before the sale of the balance of the FC seats begins.
Of what value is it to me to check into a Hilton 40 or 50 times per year, if someone who stays once per year only has to plunk down $20 or $30 bucks more to trump the benefits of my "loyalty program" membership?
What's next for the Nor1 program... tell everyone to wait in the lounge until 9:00 PM, at which time the upgrades will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder?
Oct 10, 2009, 5:14 pm
#145
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: DUB - Ireland
Programs: EI-GCE, BD-G, BA-G, A3*G, TK*G, FB-G, HH-G, Hyatt-Dia
Posts: 8,527
Good grief, that's a bit unfair.
Hilton has a lot of nice hotels, quite a number of nice executive lounges and gives points and miles. Upgrades come often enough and can be real or imagined.
US Airways has no nice planes & no nice staff and only one nice executive lounge, and gives you only miles, but no hotel points. Upgrades mean very little indeed, except on Intl A330 services, where they mean just a little.
Hilton has a lot of nice hotels, quite a number of nice executive lounges and gives points and miles. Upgrades come often enough and can be real or imagined.
US Airways has no nice planes & no nice staff and only one nice executive lounge, and gives you only miles, but no hotel points. Upgrades mean very little indeed, except on Intl A330 services, where they mean just a little.
Oct 10, 2009, 8:44 pm
#146
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,866
Oct 10, 2009, 10:35 pm
#147
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Baltic Sea
Programs: AY, BT, DY and SK. Scandic, Radisson, Marriott and HHonors. ClubONE
Posts: 5,890
NOR1 is a non-issue only for elites that are not going to stay in Hiltons anymore.
Unless Hilton does something to NOR1 fast (free upgrades for elites to exec floor before the paid upgrades).
Oct 11, 2009, 4:34 am
#148
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: AA EXP/5 MM, BA Blue Bayou, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 5,824
WADR your singular experiences cannot be seen to negate a systematic issue of equilibrium: If supply is fixed and demand goes up, availability must be impacted negatively when demand > supply- so not in every instance, but directionally it must be so.
Oct 11, 2009, 9:45 am
#149
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,866
Again, much hand-wringing
Yup, a lot of posts complaining about the issue, and some attempt at a scientific formula in the previous post, but all that really matters is real-world impact...and that impact has been nil, based on many, many stays across a variety of Hilton brands in numerous locations, at various times. Oh well, whining can be cathartic sometimes, I suppose.