FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Should VIP qualification levels be lower for non-US residents?

Aug 17, 2010 | 2:06 am

#15

Flying Lawyer

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Sep 2005

Location: Capetown

Programs: Marriott LT Plat, IHG and Hilton Diamond, LH LT SEN, QR Platinum. BA Silver (going down further)

Posts: 10,235

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDiver

HHonors allows making status four ways - those in Europe or other areas may earn more Base Points due to higher hotel standards, prices etc. per stay than those in the US using Hilton Garden Inns or Hamptons, so in the end, I suspect it equalizes to some extent (not to mention Hilton seems to be expanding significantly in Europe and some areas in Asia). Without extensive analyses to demonstrate the feasibility or worthiness (to HHonors) of this suggestion, my "hut" feeling tells me there is not much incentive for HHonors to consider such a revision.

"Earning more points" does not make it cheaper because you need to pay mote to obtain status. And 100.000 base points is quite a bit. I only stay at full service Hilton properties, however, I earn Diamond via stays.

After some considertations I vote against different levels. It is not true that there are less Hilton full service properties in most regions of Europe. It is certainly true that you hardly find any 40-Euro-properties in Europe (well, some in the UK).

However, to 90% I earn status in Europe and Asia, I stay in Europe and Asia and I burn in Europe. And I enjoy the benefits I get in Europe. Hilton is a completely different chain in Europe and Asia than it is in the Americas. And as long as I get my "European benefits" I do not mind 28 stays a year. It is worth the money.

The only thing I (could) see with an "angry face" are US customers earning status and free nights with 40-Euro-properties in the US and competing with me for upgrades (as award space is not longer really an issue). However, I asume that most 40-Euro-properties-US-customers "enjoy" their status and benefits in the US (sorry for them) and the overlap is bearable.

And I see that I get a by far better treatment in the properties I visit frequently than these properties owe to me under the HH rules. Considering this I am glad that there are the 40-Euro-properties-US-customers-staying-at-level-seven-European-hotels: Asa all good rooms are taken at my regular properties, I do not get the good, but the better rooms up to the presidential suite.

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