FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Using Diamond Force for Hilton Honors Reward Stays: The Definitive Thread
Old Jan 12, 2013 | 10:54 pm
  #554  
jerry a. laska
FlyerTalk Evangelist
All eyes on you!
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 16,670
Originally Posted by dmanson
I'm a Hilton Diamond member and have read about Diamond Forcing but have never done it and don't know if I understand it. It has always been my wife and my dream to go to the Super Bowl and our beloved team just may go this year.

Super Bowl is Feb 3rd 2013 in New Orleans at the Superdome. Obviously all hotels in a 40 mile area are totally booked for that weekend. But I'm a Hilton Diamond, right? Can I not "Force" my way into a room? I have over a million Hhonors points and really wouldn't care what kind of room I got as long as I could get one.

But I assume there is some kind of loophole for Hilton when there is an event such as this. But I thought I'd ask the Flyertalk crew if they thought Hilton would do it. I haven't called Hilton yet but maybe if it is possible I could get a bit of feedback as to what to say or what I might expect. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Hilton does provide itself an out, in fact more than one. See the t and c's here:
Guaranteed reservations availability, subject to the restrictions stated herein, at hotels within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio when paid reservations are made before midnight hotel local time, two or more days (48 hours) prior to intended arrival. RESTRICTIONS: This guarantee does not apply to reservations paid for in part or in full by HHonors Points, free night certificates issued by Hilton Worldwide. This guarantee does not apply to a hotel when that hotel becomes overbooked on inventory by 10% or more (meaning, 110% or more of rooms are reserved). For certain hotels within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio, this guarantee does not apply when that hotel becomes overbooked on inventory by 2% or more (meaning, 102% or more of rooms are reserved). Consult with the individual hotel or click here to determine whether the 2% limitation applies. This guarantee also does not apply to any hotel during Extraordinary Demand Dates. The term "Extraordinary Demand Dates" are dates determined by the hotel and Hilton HHonors, in their sole discretion, that are consistently popular reservation dates for guests, such as during major events in the area or New Year's Eve. This guarantee applies to only one room reserved with a valid credit card and occupied by the Diamond Elite Member. Please note that this guarantee does not impact the rate, and the reservations made under the guarantee will be subject to the hotel's prevailing rate for the accommodations requested. In the event the Member does not arrive as scheduled, or does not call to cancel and obtain a cancellation number, the credit card will be charged one night's room and tax. The 48-Hour Reservations Guarantee applies to reservations made online at a hotel Website, through Hilton Reservations and Customer Care, through the Diamond Special Services Department, or with the hotel directly. Promotional Rewards are not applicable for reservations booked under the 48-Hour Reservations Guarantee. The 48-Hour Reservations Guarantee may periodically be restricted in Homewood Suites by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton hotels due to the extended stay nature of guest stays at the Homewood brand. The 48 hour guarantee does not apply at the Conrad Rangali Island Maldives Hotel, Hilton Maldives/Iru Fushi Resort & Spa, Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort and Spa, Waldorf Astoria Maldives, Ho'olei at Grand Wailea, Kingston Plantation Condos, Royale Palms, Conrad Koh Samui or Hilton Grand Vacation.
Also see:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...ond-force.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...rdinary+demand
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...rdinary+demand
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...rdinary+demand
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...rdinary+demand

The Super Bowl, it seems to me to, fits the extraordinary demand definition to a T. You also cannot use diamond force for reward stays (one used to be able to but this was enhanced a couple of years ago).
jerry a. laska is offline