I commend Hilton on providing choice/options to members. But, also somewhat experiencing a taken for granted feeling and with no response to an email for 2+ weeks, well... deciding to do something about it. Signed up with another chain, considering to give them a try, and also pursuing things on the Hilton front.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=374873
What are some alternative bonus benefits that would interest you? I just typed several out on another thread and am copying here, below. Please contribute. Hopefully our voices will be heard and Hilton will address.
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Over past few months, been asked to stay and stuck with oversold hotels. A couple of Hiltons have kindly provided accomodation, but at mid $300's, once had to go into the $400's. If poor weather or lot to do for next day, eat in hotel. If in one place for a while or between a few cities on same trip, dry cleaning. It adds up. No intention to impress. This has been an outside the norm year. Finally got approval to hire some people.
It's great when there's a little "gift" in the room like in Toronto with the maple syrup or those truffles in Asia, or the DoubleTree near JFK with their fruits and cheeses.
Mountainflyer offers a good suggestion of providing something of value, that is of a fixed amount vs Hilton caught in an increasing points situation. But, are we in for a devaluation of points, I wonder??
How about
:
1) other merchandise awards - Hilton used to have a deal with Canondale bikes.
2) a mutli-hotel GLON, that is 6 nights at a group (vs just one) of nearby Hiltons in same country or spanning across a couple of countries? Heck, hard enough for me to stay in one place on business, so 2-3 hotels over 6 nights -- give options
3) complimentary spa treatment for two (now just need to find the woman) after x stays, b/c you know if someone is staying x times, they're on the move, arrive late in evening, up & out early in morning, etc, but if and when they have time, that would be a relaxing benefit. Ok, start with spa for one person.
4) tickets to a premiere show/concert, etc if Hilton in a town with good theatre/concert hall
5) upgrade to the Presidential Suite -- stayed beside this suite in Conrad HK the first time - second time nowhere near it - has/d a grand piano - allowed to peak inside as cleaning crew arriving
6) get some good quality half bottles of wine - those by the glass wines plain tired of and not that great; full bottle way too much; half bottle could do.
7) complimentary limo service in town in a couple square mile area early in morning -- test out which areas would like such. Le Meridien does this in Toronto and you don't need to be at their highest frequent stayer level (only 2 levels)
8) A welcoming you/thanking you for returning to the hotel note - received this at a couple of Hiltons, a couple of times a handwritten note at DoubleTree JFK. Millenium now occasionally provides a one page what's happening in town that week or month - but it also contains info about the hotel - one can look elsewhere for that.
9) how aout the concierge preparing a list of what's hot that week / month of festivals, music at local venues (aside from just all the main theatre area), and a short list of restaurants by type ... and not the hotel's restaurant ... Hello Mr. Expatriate, if you have time, here are a few different ideas of restaurants, etc venues to try in our town/city...off-the-beaten-tourist path
Come on, Hilton, great creative. If you value these suggestions, give a couple of persons living on the street a coupon for a few nights stay inside this winter or meals.