I have no issue with Hilton opening the promo to anyone or everyone. It was probably a good move on their part, as you state.

What I do take exception to is Hilton or others coming back and saying it's our (the customer's fault) that Hilton (or whoever) can't offer such promotions anymore because too many people signed up for such promotions in the past and money was lost. The "blame the customer" attitude is what has to stop, but it appears that the airlines/hotels are succeeding in making at least some FlyerTalkers believe it really is our fault. IT ISN'T!