Originally Posted by
jabez
Okay,my two cents (about what it's worth).
Many folks have higher post counts than 20 per year because they are relating useful information and giving an opinion. Mike has shared much here ,especially on the HH forum.
I have been here awhile also, and can't be accused of padding my number count- I could care less. I agree with Mike's observations. At times his tone, for some of us who have been on this forum regularly know, is direct and can sometimes rub people the wrong way. Yet, I almost always agree with him.
In the last 40 days I have had 23 Hilton stays. I earn my Diamond the old fashion way. Yet, I often experience less "perks" because of the glut of Diamonds that have made it through other, less painful means. I DO NOT BLAME THEM! Good for anyone who gets bonuses of any kind from travel related businesses.
I do cringe a bit when someone complains that they are given an offer to be a Diamond with only a few stays (or nights). I think of the phone chargers and clothes I've left behind because of the constant moves (and my sometimes dizzy brain). I think about last weekend where instead of being at home, I was at a Hampton Inn in Beaumont Texas. And I remember that tonight I'm at another Hampton (or is it a HGI?), but I'll have to call Hilton to remind me on where I'm booked.I'ts my job. Sometimes it comes with this cost.
When I want to think positvely, I remind myself that I've stayed at the Cavalieri five weeks and other nice Europen Hiltons many weeks on points. I recall the wonderful service and how much I loved the lounge at the Cavalieri. Then, I read of more-and-more easy roads to becoming a Diamond. I see the status level get flooded with members and I experience less-and-less upgrades. Finally, I'm faced with the fact that my favorite lounge in Rome no longer will accept me. Oh, there's a new one. A lounge partially created because of the huge increase of Diamonds. But, it won't replace the great times looking over Rome while eating breakfast, or the marvelous fireworks desplay I witnessed while enjoying wine one evening.
So, please understand that some of us gag a bit when we read complaints about not being gifted status.
The stressful tone you read really isn't aimed at you. It's more about a frustration with HH and the realization that things won't get get better.
I guess I don't share your assumption that you get less perks because there are more diamonds. This is the same fallacy that persists that if taxes were lower, that prices would fall. We know for a fact that people will simply keep their profit rather than distribute it.
The only thing that will gain you more perks is if the company needs to provide them to keep your business. You are a customer, not a partner. You benefit much more from the concept of sticking with fellow customers than thinking you profit from corporate hardness towards them.