It’s not your fault Hilton is raising the point requirements! It is not the fault of people who took advantage of promotions although it irks me as a Diamond I was never permitted to participate in the promos. I have been saving my points and am rewarded with a devaluation of my stays. I quit!
Marriott has an award system much like Hilton. Several years ago the best value awards was a seven-night hotel, combination air-mile reward. It was commonly known by it’s former number as a 713 award. Anyone who stayed frequently in Marriott was saving up for one because it provided the best value for points used. The award won the Freddie at least once as the best in the industry. Marriott raised the point level a few years ago by twenty to thirty percent but gave people eighteen additional months to convert the award under the old rules. Much like Hilton is now doing with the ALON and GLON awards.
What I resent about Hiltons new policy is they are eliminating two of the best awards: the GLON9 and GLONP, awards with virtually no notice. These awards include hotel and airfare and will be eliminated on Dec31, 2002, just18 days away. They have not even told most of their members they are eliminating the award and are hoping to make it disappear in the New Year. This is just plain sneaky!
Two scenarios come to mind here: Suppose you were saving up to claim one of these awards for a few years and (it takes 350,000 to 400,000 points to redeem these awards so even a Diamond would have to spend at least $25,000 to get one) and you are now 30,000 points short. You do not have time to transfer miles to cover the short in your account! Well you my friend are just out of luck. Worse yet suppose you have enough points but learn you cannot redeem the award next year when you try to have the award issued. Maybe you missed the email in the holiday rush or maybe it was never sent. Certainly Hilton has not sent out any official notice yet!
I was mad at Marriott when they asked for more points for awards but was grateful they gave us fare warning. What Hilton is doing is just disgusting and no one should be defending the actions. We can make them pay for it however and we can walk to other Hotel chains where we will be better rewarded for our patronage. Those of us who pay the highest prices and stay frequently will be missed.
Until today I was a very loyal Hilton customer. If you search my name you will only see positive post about my Hilton experiences. I do not like to be cheated and I like the elephants, Hilton showed me on the Salt Lick Safari, have a very long memory. I never thought I would have to say this but Good-by Hilton.