Premium Room Reward only at certain properties - Major Devaluation of HH points
Oct 15, 2011, 6:42 am
#301
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,678
First off, HHR thanks for posting.
But, your response sounded a lot like another corporate poster on the DL forum: SMI. What I mean by that is that only a little bit of info was given, and still leaving much doubt and skepticism in my mind.
For instance:
1. You indicate that there will be some std room availability coming back. But can you comment on this availability compared to before the introduction of premium rooms? We all know the requirements for Hilton is that 5% of the rooms must be set aside for awards. Does this mean one property could have 4.9% rooms at premium and only 0.1% at standard whereas before it was 5% at standard?
2. Please reassure me that your introduction of three tiers isn't a move from the DL playbook. We all know what DL did, introduced 3 tiers as an enhancement and then reduced low awards drastically. Why do I forsee this coming?
3. Can you please give us an update on the diamond special arrangement?
But, your response sounded a lot like another corporate poster on the DL forum: SMI. What I mean by that is that only a little bit of info was given, and still leaving much doubt and skepticism in my mind.
For instance:
1. You indicate that there will be some std room availability coming back. But can you comment on this availability compared to before the introduction of premium rooms? We all know the requirements for Hilton is that 5% of the rooms must be set aside for awards. Does this mean one property could have 4.9% rooms at premium and only 0.1% at standard whereas before it was 5% at standard?
2. Please reassure me that your introduction of three tiers isn't a move from the DL playbook. We all know what DL did, introduced 3 tiers as an enhancement and then reduced low awards drastically. Why do I forsee this coming?
3. Can you please give us an update on the diamond special arrangement?
Oct 15, 2011, 8:07 am
#303
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
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Posts: 102,095
Indeed, as shooting, butchering and quartering the delivered messages is so much more telling.
Oct 15, 2011, 8:23 am
#304
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,756
I have this strange feeling that Hilton will just let this drag on hoping initial knee jerking reactions die down and their devaluation process quietly completes. Yes I am very pessimistic on this and I hope I am dead wrong.
Oct 15, 2011, 9:53 am
#305
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MSP (Mahtomedi, MN, USA) - Delta hub captive, Marriott Gold, US Mint Silver, CVS Red
Programs: "We've been starving, and sitting on a ham sandwich the whole time."
Posts: 1,482
Yet another example of the wisdom of "burn them as you earn them" and don't treat these airline and hotel programs as if they will provide you a lifetime of luxury travel in the sunset of your life.
Earn them in a year, burn them all within a year or so. If the program changes, move to a different provider. Don't be held hostage by a warchest of points that become the equivalent of a wheel barrel full of Deutsche marks that won't buy a loaf of bread.
Earn them in a year, burn them all within a year or so. If the program changes, move to a different provider. Don't be held hostage by a warchest of points that become the equivalent of a wheel barrel full of Deutsche marks that won't buy a loaf of bread.
Oct 15, 2011, 10:52 am
#306
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: HHonors Diamond, SPG Platinum; AS MVP; Delta Silver
Posts: 10
I could be crazy but isn't this program setup how it should be for those of us with diamond status? (no offense intended if you dont have diamond status I just don't want to add more competition to the upgrade queue than necc)
We are still eligible for upgrades as before, and premium rooms are priced so high that only those willing to pay exorbitant prices in points to guarantee upgrades will eat up any supply which at these rates should be low. Btw which groups of people have enough points lying around to fry 170-300k points per night...most would be diamond (or Hilton loyalists that have accrued points over many years.).
The scenarios that would make me upset would be:
1. Limit supply of standard rooms (Hilton claims this hasn't happened)
2. Make getting an upgrade overy competitive (you'll never get a nice room ithey are too cheap) by making premium rooms too cheap.
What woud i love Hilton? Tiered point redemptions....if I'm diamond I would like you to discount my redemption rate vs if I am gold or blue or whatever.
We are still eligible for upgrades as before, and premium rooms are priced so high that only those willing to pay exorbitant prices in points to guarantee upgrades will eat up any supply which at these rates should be low. Btw which groups of people have enough points lying around to fry 170-300k points per night...most would be diamond (or Hilton loyalists that have accrued points over many years.).
The scenarios that would make me upset would be:
1. Limit supply of standard rooms (Hilton claims this hasn't happened)
2. Make getting an upgrade overy competitive (you'll never get a nice room ithey are too cheap) by making premium rooms too cheap.
What woud i love Hilton? Tiered point redemptions....if I'm diamond I would like you to discount my redemption rate vs if I am gold or blue or whatever.
Oct 15, 2011, 11:19 am
#307
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Always on vacation
Programs: aa exp - spg gold - Hyatt Diamond - HH Gold
Posts: 6,007
Yet another example of the wisdom of "burn them as you earn them" and don't treat these airline and hotel programs as if they will provide you a lifetime of luxury travel in the sunset of your life.
Earn them in a year, burn them all within a year or so. If the program changes, move to a different provider. Don't be held hostage by a warchest of points that become the equivalent of a wheel barrel full of Deutsche marks that won't buy a loaf of bread.
Earn them in a year, burn them all within a year or so. If the program changes, move to a different provider. Don't be held hostage by a warchest of points that become the equivalent of a wheel barrel full of Deutsche marks that won't buy a loaf of bread.
I always thought for those who saved they were refered to as the "Golden Handcuffs." Perhaps in this forum they ought to be call the "Diamond studded Handcuffs." @:-)
Oct 15, 2011, 12:27 pm
#308
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: 10^7 mm from Ȱ
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Posts: 1,976
+1, this is exactly what I told a DD CSR the other day. Another suggestion I made is to give a diamond member 2-level upgrades instead of 1 upon check-in.
Oct 15, 2011, 12:48 pm
#309
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: 17,421
Sigh, how I regret not listening to my old NWA brethren saying "burn baby burn."
Oct 15, 2011, 1:02 pm
#310
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: 10^7 mm from Ȱ
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Hilton Award Reservation is back online
BBN and Moorea still show astronomical points for any room!!!
But everywhere other than FP shows standard room availability, such as Grand Wailea (has 80K redemption) and Los Cabos (has 50K redemption).
I guess this new premium award scheme ONLY impacted FP properties.
WA Maldives also shows no 80K points award availability. I am not sure it were the case for next 1 year...
But everywhere other than FP shows standard room availability, such as Grand Wailea (has 80K redemption) and Los Cabos (has 50K redemption).
I guess this new premium award scheme ONLY impacted FP properties.
WA Maldives also shows no 80K points award availability. I am not sure it were the case for next 1 year...
Oct 15, 2011, 1:31 pm
#311
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Borders, Scotland, UK
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Spire Amb, BA Blue
Posts: 550
Wanted to stay at Hilton Dubai Jumeirah next week using a couple of still valid Q3FN's. 2 weeks ago no Standard rooms but Glasgow HHonors would organise a special arrangement. Email from US DD next day saying hotel has now added "Premium rooms" so that i can book these from my points - and use my Q3FN's at another time. 150k a night!! No thanks. Using the certs at Abu Dhabi but would rather be at Jumeirah - p****d off
Oct 15, 2011, 1:59 pm
#312
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,756
BBN and Moorea still show astronomical points for any room!!!
But everywhere other than FP shows standard room availability, such as Grand Wailea (has 80K redemption) and Los Cabos (has 50K redemption).
I guess this new premium award scheme ONLY impacted FP properties.
WA Maldives also shows no 80K points award availability. I am not sure it were the case for next 1 year...
But everywhere other than FP shows standard room availability, such as Grand Wailea (has 80K redemption) and Los Cabos (has 50K redemption).
I guess this new premium award scheme ONLY impacted FP properties.
WA Maldives also shows no 80K points award availability. I am not sure it were the case for next 1 year...
Oct 15, 2011, 2:05 pm
#313
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: 10^7 mm from Ȱ
Programs: Hyatt D/HHonors D/ SPG P/ Marriott P/ IHG P/ UA 1K/ AA EXP/ DL D
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This is aligned with Hilton BBN's textbook-style reply to me - from that point of time I am pretty sure that for BBN and Moorea, standard award room will be no longer in picture.
Anyway, looks like your trip to Cabos is okayed.
At least now I know many other premium Hilton Resorts (e.g., WA Grand Wailea and Hilton Maldives) are not plagued by this premium award scheme.
Oct 15, 2011, 2:33 pm
#314
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,756
Nope, I think they will stop right there.
This is aligned with Hilton BBN's textbook-style reply to me - from that point of time I am pretty sure that for BBN and Moorea, standard award room will be no longer in picture.
Anyway, looks like your trip to Cabos is okayed. At least now I know many other premium Hilton Resorts (e.g., WA Grand Wailea and Hilton Maldives) are not plagued by this premium award scheme.
This is aligned with Hilton BBN's textbook-style reply to me - from that point of time I am pretty sure that for BBN and Moorea, standard award room will be no longer in picture.
Anyway, looks like your trip to Cabos is okayed.
At least now I know many other premium Hilton Resorts (e.g., WA Grand Wailea and Hilton Maldives) are not plagued by this premium award scheme.
Oct 15, 2011, 3:06 pm
#315
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Just curious, which FP resort is on your mind now?
If you are a HHonors Gold/Diamond member (I assume you must be coz otherwise it would be very hard to save 290K points), it would make most sense to stay at Hilton BBN and Moorea by taking advantage of elite member benefits.
My plan B is to go to IC Thalassor, coz I am also a PC member.
If you are aiming to burn those points, why not book Hilton/Conrad Maldives or WA Grand Wailea? Those are my destinations after FP.
If you are a HHonors Gold/Diamond member (I assume you must be coz otherwise it would be very hard to save 290K points), it would make most sense to stay at Hilton BBN and Moorea by taking advantage of elite member benefits.
My plan B is to go to IC Thalassor, coz I am also a PC member.
If you are aiming to burn those points, why not book Hilton/Conrad Maldives or WA Grand Wailea? Those are my destinations after FP.