Aug 12, 2016, 5:14 pm
Last edit by: beltway
For information on how to locate Hilton's current "walking" policies, see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/16853805-post9.html and http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/16660591-post430.html
Does Hilton have an official policy for walking a Diamond?
Aug 2, 2011, 9:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA - 1K 1MM; Hyatt - Explorist; Marriott - Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,586
Does Hilton have an official policy for walking a Diamond?
I reviewed the "definitive" thread on walking, but unfortunately there wasn't much in the way of definitive information - only anecdotes from FTers experience on being walked.
My question: does Hilton have an official policy for being walked as a Diamond? This is only my second year as a Diamond and first time I've been walked.
I'm familiar with SPG's Platinum Policy (points credited to account in equal to one night's stay) and Marriott's as I'm a former elite there (cash compensation).
Does anyone know the equivalent, or if there is one for Hilton?
My question: does Hilton have an official policy for being walked as a Diamond? This is only my second year as a Diamond and first time I've been walked.
I'm familiar with SPG's Platinum Policy (points credited to account in equal to one night's stay) and Marriott's as I'm a former elite there (cash compensation).
Does anyone know the equivalent, or if there is one for Hilton?
Aug 2, 2011, 10:10 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Chicago Area
Programs: HHonors, WN RR
Posts: 37
As far as I know...a DIA member should get at least $100 cash for the walk (but I think it's $200). Other than that, it's a standard walk procedure. If nothing was given to you, reach out to the GM of the property and give them the opportunity to make things right. If they don't, contact guest assistance (or the diamond desk)...they'll handle it for you.
Aug 2, 2011, 11:28 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,770
Hilton does have something akin to policy for walking a Diamond, but it's definitely not points equivalent to one stay at the same Cat as the offending hotel.
My wife (Diamond) encountered a scenario that I consider being walked and I called Diamond desk asking about the policy. Hampton Inn is $100 cash. Hilton Garden Inn is supposed to be either $100 or $200.
The GM of the offending hotel that I asked about was offered the opportunity tio address this issue, but he has not responded in over a month.
Yes, Hilton is far behind Starwood and Marriott for rules regarding walking a top tier elite.
My wife (Diamond) encountered a scenario that I consider being walked and I called Diamond desk asking about the policy. Hampton Inn is $100 cash. Hilton Garden Inn is supposed to be either $100 or $200.
The GM of the offending hotel that I asked about was offered the opportunity tio address this issue, but he has not responded in over a month.
Yes, Hilton is far behind Starwood and Marriott for rules regarding walking a top tier elite.
Aug 3, 2011, 6:02 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: HHonors Diamond, AA Executive Platinum, National Executive Elite, Avis First
Posts: 494
Essentially it's:
Contact the diamond desk if you didn't receive all of the above.
- The current night is free
- You receive points in your account for what you would've earned had you stayed and paid for the night
- Cash compensation (either $100 or $200 depending on the brand)
Contact the diamond desk if you didn't receive all of the above.
Aug 3, 2011, 10:18 am
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Reno, NV (RNO)
Programs: AA Platinum, AS, UA, DL, HHonors Gold, Marriott LTP, Hyatt, IHG Platinum
Posts: 4,707
Essentially it's:
Contact the diamond desk if you didn't receive all of the above.
- The current night is free
- You receive points in your account for what you would've earned had you stayed and paid for the night
- Cash compensation (either $100 or $200 depending on the brand)
Contact the diamond desk if you didn't receive all of the above.
Aug 3, 2011, 11:32 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,419
In the definitive thread, there are some std ops manuals posted, I think the info is there.
Aug 3, 2011, 1:48 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,398
I always thought it was the night at the hotel you were walked to was paid for (and IMO that should be the case for even a non-HH member if they are walked), transportation to the hotel you are walked to if needed (again that should be provided to anyone they walk), the points/stay credit you should have earned on the stay, and $100 to $200 cash depending on the brand.
Aug 3, 2011, 2:12 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Sweden
Posts: 5,645
Essentially it's:
Contact the diamond desk if you didn't receive all of the above.
- The current night is free
- You receive points in your account for what you would've earned had you stayed and paid for the night
- Cash compensation (either $100 or $200 depending on the brand)
Contact the diamond desk if you didn't receive all of the above.
.
Aug 3, 2011, 2:39 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: On strike
Posts: 8,135
The 2010 Hilton manual says this:
8.1.8. Relocation of members policy:
The following Standards apply to all members with guaranteed reservations who are relocated:
The following Standards apply to all members with guaranteed reservations who are relocated:
a. The hotel must coordinate complimentary accommodations at an equal or greater value local hotel.
b. The hotel must pay for the first night’s room and tax, plus one telephone call.
c. The hotel must offer and/or provide transportation to the alternate hotel and back, if necessary, at no cost to the member.
d. The hotel must complete the “Reservations Emergency Stay Credit” form online via Focus HHonors to provide the member proper Points & Miles, stay credit, and applicable bonuses for the eligible stay they would have consumed.
e. A Diamond VIP or Preferential Gold VIP member is the last guest to be relocated.
b. The hotel must pay for the first night’s room and tax, plus one telephone call.
c. The hotel must offer and/or provide transportation to the alternate hotel and back, if necessary, at no cost to the member.
d. The hotel must complete the “Reservations Emergency Stay Credit” form online via Focus HHonors to provide the member proper Points & Miles, stay credit, and applicable bonuses for the eligible stay they would have consumed.
e. A Diamond VIP or Preferential Gold VIP member is the last guest to be relocated.
c. Relocation/Dishonored Diamond VIP reservations.
In addition to actions listed in Section 8.1.8. a. – c., the following actions must also be followed:
In addition to actions listed in Section 8.1.8. a. – c., the following actions must also be followed:
i. A Diamond VIP (and Preferential Gold VIP) member must be the last guest to be relocated. The hotel must follow the following Standards for all guests with guaranteed reservations who are “relocated”:
· Relocated guests must receive the best available accommodations if returning to the hotel on a multiple night stay after being relocated.
ii. For Diamond VIP members ONLY:· This relocation and all pertinent information must be reported to Guest Assistance as soon as possible and no later than one hour after the actual relocation. If possible, communication should take place in advance of the relocation.
· An immediate inconvenience compensation of $200 cash must be paid to the member.
· The hotel’s General Manager or General Manager’s representative must immediately telephone the Diamond VIP member to apologize for failing to honor a reservation.
· The hotel must also provide the Diamond VIP member with Points & Miles credit for any nights the member was relocated. The hotel must pay the normal cost of the points and miles.
· An immediate inconvenience compensation of $200 cash must be paid to the member.
· The hotel’s General Manager or General Manager’s representative must immediately telephone the Diamond VIP member to apologize for failing to honor a reservation.
· The hotel must also provide the Diamond VIP member with Points & Miles credit for any nights the member was relocated. The hotel must pay the normal cost of the points and miles.
Aug 3, 2011, 5:47 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: RSW
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"The hotel must also provide the Diamond VIP member with Points & Miles credit for any nights the member was relocated. The hotel must pay the normal cost of the points and miles" appears to be a duplication of (e) above, rather than a directive to deposit the number of points an award room would have cost as a further "penalty", IMHO.
Last edited by Points Scrounger; Aug 3, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Aug 4, 2011, 12:08 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Wirral, United Kingdom
Programs: American Express Platinum, HHonors Diamond (earned), Aer Lingus Gold Circle, ex-UA,ex-NZ
Posts: 261
What's a "Preferential Gold VIP"? Diamond VIP I know and Gold VIP I know, but a "preferential gold"...that's yet another new term for me. Does it, perhaps, mean a Gold VIP who earned the status "the hard way"?
Aug 4, 2011, 12:15 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2010
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 66
Diamond and was walked...
I experienced a 'walk' a couple of weeks ago, I received an email this morning in response to my contacting Guest Assistance. I had a 2night stay, 1st night was walked and Hilton is offering to refund what I paid for my 2nd night. Property is Hilton Manhattan East. The Response doesn't seem to be aligned with the 'policy' being discussed here. Not complaining, just making a point considering the OP's question.
Last edited by RKRocha; Aug 4, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Aug 4, 2011, 6:29 pm
#13
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As I have said elsewhere, a Diamond should never be walked - ever. If a hotel anticipates an oversold situation, this is always well known by 4pm. At that point they should start walking other guests. You do not walk your best customer when he shows up at 2am after a long flight - that is pure stupidity. And even worse as payment is always guaranteed so you will never have a loss on the room.
I still believe that the hotel chain which offers a "never walk" guarantee to elites would gain some market share, particularly among frequent business travelers.
I still believe that the hotel chain which offers a "never walk" guarantee to elites would gain some market share, particularly among frequent business travelers.
Aug 4, 2011, 6:34 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
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I experienced a 'walk' a couple of weeks ago, I received an email this morning in response to my contacting Guest Assistance. I had a 2night stay, 1st night was walked and Hilton is offering to refund what I paid for my 2nd night. Property is Hilton Manhattan East. The Response doesn't seem to be aligned with the 'policy' being discussed here. Not complaining, just making a point considering the OP's question.
Aug 4, 2011, 6:49 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
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As I have said elsewhere, a Diamond should never be walked - ever. If a hotel anticipates an oversold situation, this is always well known by 4pm. At that point they should start walking other guests. You do not walk your best customer when he shows up at 2am after a long flight - that is pure stupidity. And even worse as payment is always guaranteed so you will never have a loss on the room.
I still believe that the hotel chain which offers a "never walk" guarantee to elites would gain some market share, particularly among frequent business travelers.
I still believe that the hotel chain which offers a "never walk" guarantee to elites would gain some market share, particularly among frequent business travelers.
There are plenty of times I would have no problem being walked on a weekend or one night stay if the property would follow HHonors guide on compensation for walking a diamond and if I was put up at a similar hotel in the same area, but that should be the diamonds choice to be walked.