I love how this thread just keeps going on and on.....

WARNING

***Please be warned that the Hilton Brisbane is no longer guaranteeing lounge access to Hilton Diamond VIP customers. I noticed this policy just this last weeend***

THANKS

Thanks to Ozstamps and Lis, I joined up earlier in the year at a pretty good price. I have no regrets and have saved $60 twice on the seafood buffet in Brisbane Hilton and gotten 20% discount at the same hotel twice this year. This has probably saved me the $200 joining fee.

NOTE

I have a few vouchers left expring FEB 2006 so send me a PM if you think you can use them....

A POOR USE OF THE $55 NIGHT INTRODUCTORY VOUCHER....

I used my $55 introductory voucher the Grace Hotel in Sydney back in May. Oh wow, what a waste for a night at a CRAP hotel (this was before Hilton Sydney opened...and was 'supposed' to be the preferred HHonors hotel... Hmmm, when did Hilton ever put a Diamond VIP on Level 1 of the hotel in a tiny room with no view...?!)

MY MOST RECENT HILTON PREMIUM CLUB STAY (BRISSY)

Just this last Sunday I was back in Brisbane and had booked a room at a rate of $155 (before the Premium Club 20% discount) with confirmed upgrade to a suite using one of my vouchers for $150. It was supposed to work out to $275 for the night - 20% off the $155 rate I booked + $150 for the upgrade.

BUT.....

My bill showed $305 upon checkout on Monday morning...

When I raised this overcharge of $30 with the clerk (I was still half asleep - it was 345am, after all) I was told the $305 rate was correct and why was I talking about a 20% discount saying that "$305 was a really good rate for a suite and I should be happy to get that", and that suites usually cost 'heaps more' and I should, well, be happy to get that.

I explained that I had booked a room rate of $155, that was supposed to be discounted by 20% on account of my Hilton Premium Club membership, and that I had used a $150 voucher to upgrade to a suite.

The guy on duty actually told me that I was wrong and that $305 was exactly 50% of the charge of $610 one should pay for a suite...

I think he was SERIOUSLY getting his vouchers mixed up.

Anyway, the on duty manager was called, I spent waaaaaaaaay too long talking to these guys, and the situation was finally resolved thanks to the on duty manager reminding me about the terms and conditions of the program and to always confirm in future that no 50% discounts ever apply to suite bookings. Hmmmmmmmmmm.........

I JUST MADE MY FLIGHT

I got the airport right on 430am for my 5am flight - no time for a coffee in the QC, I was pissed....

A BIZARRE BILL DEVELOPMENT

Anyway, imagine my surprise when I was checking my final bill on the plane. My total all inclusive bill, with receipt from the hotel, was $150 all up....hmmm, go figure...)

SYDNEY $125 NIGHTS

Anyway, to get back to the orginal poster, my sister and her hubby and 3 kids are in town on December 27th. My other half and I have jumped on this $125 rate and confirmed a booking at the Sydney Hilton. We will surely be able to consume that amount of champers in the Exec Lounge and hope to get one of those elusive Glass bookings which honour the 50% dining discount - just with 4 days to spare until the new dining rules apply.

POST FEB 2006

I don't think I will be renewing next year, especially as my new employer has wicked corporate rates with SPG....