GUWonder

I managed to escape most devaluations or get my pound of flesh out of them anyway, but indeed I've seen DL's dirty tricks once too often.

Indeed, I've been saying the same thing for quite some time. Another thing they both have in common is a Jeff in charge of the relevant "loyalty" program.

Years ago, I decided that HHonors Gold was sufficient for even most of those family and friends who are Hilton Diamonds. This "enhancement" just reaffirms that pursuing Diamond status with Hilton makes less sense now than what little sense it made before the "enhancement(s)".

travelinfoo

I agree with 777globalmilehound. There is no incentive to reach Diamond anymore. I've been Diamond for only slightly over 5 yrs, all earned the hard way. I've only used the DSA twice but it was nice to know I could almost always get a room any time. My 2 DSA were for special occasions and saved lots and lots of $$$. Several years I was off Diamond by a few stays. I would do a MR because this benefit alone was worth it to me.
But I've been watching all the changes this year. I think they came about via multiple factors: the large increase in FT and CC Diamonds, cheapening the tier, the massive numbers of points being thrown around, customer requests for point-upgrades (good if reasonable # points, not as they have done), and prb the success of the NOR-1 - they prb realized ppl are willing to pay for these rooms if a reasonable charge was floated. If as a Diamond, you no longer get a decent complimentary upgrade and the points upgrade is outrageous, wouldn't you opt for the NOR-1 payment to enhance your chances of getting a nice upgrade?

I'll just qualify for Gold this year. No reason to continue to maintain Diamond now. Both get guaranteed brekkie w/upgrade option, neither will prb get much of an upgrade, Diamond still gets EL but given how crowded so many are and the offerings dwindling, not much of an incentive.

Guava

I don't agree with your adjustments. These HH program changes should indeed lower the value of HH points. However, your reduction is irrationally drastic.

stifle

Unlikely. The only thing I value from Diamond is guaranteed lounge access. Upgrades are just jam.

Lookin4Points

I just tried to book a room at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort for July 13 - July 20. This is a Category 7 hotel (50,000 points per night). Even though a 1 King Deluxe Intracoastal room is available for $179 per night, the Diamond Desk told me that the only rooms available for point redemption were a 2 King 2 Bedroom Suite for 186,246 points per night or a 2 King 2 Queen 3 Bedroom Suite for 349,650 points per night. I requested a force for the 1 King Deluxe Intracoastal room and was told that benefit is no longer available.

I still can't believe this dilution of benefits. Hopefully they get this sorted out soon or they will lose another long time Diamond customer who earns it with stays and nights every year.

jefftiger

This is becoming quite evil. I looked at this hotel's rewards availability through the end of the year and one can see the redemption points required rise and fall depending on season or whether there's a holiday around that time. It looks like the new Hilton rewards process makes it very difficult to redeem at the "standard rate" at popular hotels unless you choose a time off-season or very far in advance. Forget about next-week bookings at affordable points rates. It's a very sad development.

mnredfox

My last year to qualify as a diamond. I'm at 24 stays now, after 4 more it's to IHG the rest of the year (probably 60+ nights). After that, gold is all I need. Probably will figure out how to requalify with less than 16 stays too, since it's being handed away candy style these days.

+1. And don't forget silly continental breakfast. Oh wait, I can get that, free lounge, and internet as gold too. Diamond = nothing anymore.

Well, I should have listened to you with NWA/DL, and now I'm listening to you with Hilton. Only 4 more stays this year (probably 2 awards) and then I'm out.

Any where else I should go besides IHG?

seychellesbound

I've moved a majority of my stays to Hyatt.

I really like the idea of the Passport Escape award that includes 5 nights, free daily breakfast and 3 dinners for two

145,000 points = Hello Park Hyatt Maldives

fandresva

Any where else I should go besides IHG?[/QUOTE]

I will suggest Marriott if you are going to stay more than 50 nights, the megabonuses and upgrades will make it worth it for you to be gold, besides they have alot more redemption opportunities than Hilton (Specially if you are traveling overseas you can get into great hotels for around 15k-20k per night (Or use the cat 4 certificates if they have them as part of the megabonus)

Rockhopper24

+1. And I'll be gone....

SFO_UGS

I gave up trying to retain my Diamond VIP status. Starting in mid-2008, I don't what happened, but Hilton's customer service has been a nightmare! It's as if they just don't care and it doesn't matter whether you're a Diamond member or Joe Average - it's awful. I provide feedback (good or challenging) immediately following my stay and then.... nothing. Though, every once in a while, there's a follow-up discussion with a hotel manager or GM, but usually - silence.

As a frequent hotel guest, the ONLY thing I'm interested in getting these days is a room on a high floor and away from the elevator (and working Internet) - that's it! I don't need those carb-filled junk food items or extra points or free snacks, food coupons, etc. I just want a room on a high floor, away from the elevator. I can't tell you how many times that request was ignored as a Diamond member starting in mid-2008 through mid-2010. It was painful! It wasn't as though they didn't have the room. I'd check-in and then, I'd have to move rooms. It became a chronic issue. I had some other issues (the free water wasn't in the room or they "forgot" I was a Diamond; I couldn't get the upgrade for some vague reason; I did an online check-in, but prior to arrival I was DOWNGRADED to a smaller room and moved;, etc., etc., ad nauseum).

It just became too much so I started spreading the wealth. I've built Marriott points and status unexpectedly and I really dislike Marriotts. (Who's the chief interior designer at Marriott? That red and green motif is hideous.) Over a decade ago, I dismissed Hyatt's, but I'm having a resurgence because of their Park Hyatts and their Hyatt Place. Domestically, my favorite chain is the Four Seasons and (updated) Ritz-Carltons, but their presence isn't always available in those 2nd and 3rd tier cities.

Hilton?? Who cares?

[In the first quarter of this year, I was down-graded to Gold. As if I cared.]

mnredfox

I will suggest Marriott if you are going to stay more than 50 nights, the megabonuses and upgrades will make it worth it for you to be gold, besides they have alot more redemption opportunities than Hilton (Specially if you are traveling overseas you can get into great hotels for around 15k-20k per night (Or use the cat 4 certificates if they have them as part of the megabonus)[/QUOTE]

Good tips. I'll focus my stays on IHG til I requalify for RA for sure, after that maybe Hyatt or SPG. I've always been put off by Marriott in how hard they make challenges to their elite (they always gave me the cold shoulder), but at the same time I respect that they don't give elite status away.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Argonaut1000

Points for a "confirmed" upgraded room on points is a great idea.

A 10-30% increase in points is probably a fair premium for a confirmed upgrade - perhaps even sweetened with a discount for Diamond and or Gold members would be a good idea... But a 300 - 500% premium or higher amount over a base award is clearly highway robbery.

JimJ321

Just turned diamond a few months ago (did a challenge match due to work contract) and have stayed about 40 nights this year. Love the frequent upgrades, but hate the rewards and the diamond desk doesn't seem to help. Luckily I still get to stay at marriotts on occasion because Hilton doesn't seem to bring too much to the table in terms of diamond status beyond a nice room in during my one night stays

kmandrew

Just tried to book 2 night point stay at ADT starting May 27; hotel calander says available but for 263k/n, called DD who tried to be helpful, said she sees standard rooms but cannot get the 50k/n to go through and blamed it on the new web site. All she could do for now is open a case file and said I would be contacted with 5 working days. I said it seems the ADT simply doesn't want point guests as the whole month of June seems blocked; she said no, be patient and was confident I could get the 50k rooms.