Originally Posted by
GUWonder
1. That "$300 hotel room" on points isn't really costing Hilton $300 -- it's probably costing Hilton less than $300, substantially less.
2. A 10%-25% rebate isn't that much, given the fact that hotels are giving such rebates to some TAs/OTAs.
Unless you can actually use those internal Hilton rate or TA Rates, they are not really relevant. I evaluate point value based on the return on points calculated with the rate I have to pay.
The devaluation sucks big time, but what they did is just to bring the rate of return on points more in line with other hotel programs. 25% return is fantastic for customers, but not sustainable for Hilton.
Plus Hilton is the only program can get me diamond status with credit card spend. I have no chance making top tier with any other programs with my now reduced travel pattern. After more than 10 years of maintaining top tier status with at least 2 programs every year, I can no longer imagine myself paying for breakfast, and not being offered best room when checking in. So I will try to stay with hilton whenever possible, unless the rate already includes breakfast.