Premium Room Reward only at certain properties - Major Devaluation of HH points
Oct 12, 11, 10:44 pm
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,766
Oct 12, 11, 10:51 pm
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,766
Anyways, I would suggest a massive blast to Hilton. If people only post here and do not contact Hilton corporate, no one at Hilton will care. Also might want to write to the "Middle Seat" Column at the WSJ about this. I can say my next few stays suddenly became Marriott stays. Canceled Hilton without a thought.
Oct 12, 11, 11:26 pm
#94
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 422
I sent my email to [email protected] and [email protected], though I have not yet received a response. I tweeted earlier today and exchanged emails with a Hilton rep, but the exchange has not really developed (yet?) and I kindly requested that the complaint be forwarded internally as appropriate. I've been tweeting and retweeting since. Next up: Facebook.
Anther good idea might be to bring this to the attention of some of the travel bloggers.
Anther good idea might be to bring this to the attention of some of the travel bloggers.
Oct 12, 11, 11:33 pm
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: IHG Gold, BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Silver, Accor Silver, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 13,759
I'm still not ruling out the possibility that it's a massive screw-up rather than an Evil Plan (tm) but the chances of the former being the case are dropping by the day.
What if Hilton comes back and says "you asked to be able to use points for premium rooms, we've given you that choice?"
What if Hilton comes back and says "you asked to be able to use points for premium rooms, we've given you that choice?"
Oct 12, 11, 11:38 pm
#96
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,765
Pretty obviously, "How does relabeling formerly standard rooms as 'premium' and then charging exorbitant point amounts for them responsive to such requests?"
Oct 13, 11, 12:22 am
#97
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Midwest
Programs: AA Advantage Platinum, United 1K, Marriott Rewards Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 395
Oct 13, 11, 12:25 am
#98
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: 17,374
Did I not say this would happen when the stupid Diamond force change went into effect. This is HH's sneaky way of trying to insert a HUGE devaluation. And the worst part is they do it under the guise of an enhancement.
I now have NO regrets that I've shifted 90% of my hotels to IHG. This only confirms my moves, and now I am simply going stop altogether all HH stays after one more stay. I won't even go for Gold next year. I think it's time for a SPG match or Marriott challenge.
This effectively wipes out the VIP and AXON awards as well at these properties. A HUGE DEVALUATION.
HH, I hope someone from your company comes here to comment. You are going to lose a lot of business.
I now have NO regrets that I've shifted 90% of my hotels to IHG. This only confirms my moves, and now I am simply going stop altogether all HH stays after one more stay. I won't even go for Gold next year. I think it's time for a SPG match or Marriott challenge.
This effectively wipes out the VIP and AXON awards as well at these properties. A HUGE DEVALUATION.
HH, I hope someone from your company comes here to comment. You are going to lose a lot of business.
Oct 13, 11, 1:01 am
#99
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,765
Those of you thinking of jumping to Starwood are in for a rude surprise: they've been doing this same thing for some time at their top-end properties. Gary Leff (gleff) and Ric Garrido (satori) have both blogged about this in the past 2 years.
To be clear, I am not defending Hilton. Their move in this direction is a real negative, and in an area where their rewards rates arguably made Hilton points worth accumulating in lieu of SPG points. Sic transit....
To be clear, I am not defending Hilton. Their move in this direction is a real negative, and in an area where their rewards rates arguably made Hilton points worth accumulating in lieu of SPG points. Sic transit....
Oct 13, 11, 8:23 am
#100
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 360
So, a friend at work has been working on a trip to FP for next September, hoping to stay a few nights in Moorea, and was dismayed by seeing no availability for 50k per night. I told him about thispremium room scam issue. He has been corresponding with Hilton Diamond/and the property. Friend is Diamond earned through stays, not that it matters, as I am as well.
First to Diamond--
Response-
[QUOTE]
Friend Responds
You would think a 'standard' base level room would be defined for each property.
Response comes from the property directly--
I've never been there, but are there only 5 garden bungalow units or are they saying only 5 of the garden bungalow units are 'standard'
Friend responds
[QUOTE]
So, the 'standard' room is available to pay for, but not for points???? Or are the 5 already taken wink wink??
Property responds back with--
,
Sounds like a giant runaround, but also interesting she quotes an Oct 3 change in the program. So I guess the scam will be they DO have standard rooms, but they 'happen' to be taken on the days you want them. Not all standard garden bungalow rooms are created alike I guess.
This truly is utter b.s.
Buh bye Hilton
First to Diamond--
Hello,
I am looking into booking a reward stay at the Hilton Moorea in September 2012. Can you please let me know what room type at that resort is a 'standard' room that can be booked with points at the 50k per night category 7 level. I do not want a premium room, just a standard room.
I am looking into booking a reward stay at the Hilton Moorea in September 2012. Can you please let me know what room type at that resort is a 'standard' room that can be booked with points at the 50k per night category 7 level. I do not want a premium room, just a standard room.
[QUOTE]
Dear Mr. Friend
Thank you for your message to Hilton Reservations and Customer Care regarding rewards.
I apologize I am unable to provide information for reward stays by email. Please contact 1-877-444-9847.
We appreciate this opportunity to assist you and thank you for your continued loyalty! If you have any further questions or concerns, please let us know.
For immediate assistance, please click on the link below for the contact number of the HHonors Service Center nearest you:[/QUOTE]
Thank you for your message to Hilton Reservations and Customer Care regarding rewards.
I apologize I am unable to provide information for reward stays by email. Please contact 1-877-444-9847.
We appreciate this opportunity to assist you and thank you for your continued loyalty! If you have any further questions or concerns, please let us know.
For immediate assistance, please click on the link below for the contact number of the HHonors Service Center nearest you:[/QUOTE]
Friend Responds
QUOTE]Well, I don't want to book a reward stay by email. I am asking what room type the 'standard' room is at the Hilton Moorea that would be available for a reward stay.
Thank you[/QUOTE
Thank you[/QUOTE
Response comes from the property directly--
Dear Mr Friend,
Thank you for your enquiry to our Hilton HHonnors' guest assistance, and for showing an interest in the Hilton Moorea Lagoon resort and spa.
For reward stays, you have the standard room reward, and you have the premium room rewards.
The standard room reward level is only available in our standard room category which is the garden bungalow with private pool, and it is on the basis of 5 units only per day.
And the premium room reward is available in all room categories.
We hope these informations will help you.
Should you have other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us again,
Thank you for your enquiry to our Hilton HHonnors' guest assistance, and for showing an interest in the Hilton Moorea Lagoon resort and spa.
For reward stays, you have the standard room reward, and you have the premium room rewards.
The standard room reward level is only available in our standard room category which is the garden bungalow with private pool, and it is on the basis of 5 units only per day.
And the premium room reward is available in all room categories.
We hope these informations will help you.
Should you have other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us again,
Friend responds
[QUOTE]
I am interested in September 17-21, 2012. I see the twin garden bungalow (the'standard' room)available for a paid stay, but when I try to book for a reward stay, it states that there are no rooms available for redemption. I am very confused. Can you please clarify?[/QUOTE]
Property responds back with--
Dear Mr Friend,
First and foremost, thank you for considering the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa, for your next holiday destination. I am very pleased to assist you with your question about room category for reward stay.
The standard room for Hilton redemption stay is the garden bungalow with plunge pool. Also as the Hilton Honors Loyalty program has changed since October the 3rd, only few units are available at the basic redemption level.
However not all travel dates are available as we had already reached the maximum threshold (on specific travel dates), of rooms available at basic redemption level. This is the reason why maybe you may have to book your stay at a much higher points redeemable depending on your travel dates.
Should you need any further assistance, I remain at your entire disposal
First and foremost, thank you for considering the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa, for your next holiday destination. I am very pleased to assist you with your question about room category for reward stay.
The standard room for Hilton redemption stay is the garden bungalow with plunge pool. Also as the Hilton Honors Loyalty program has changed since October the 3rd, only few units are available at the basic redemption level.
However not all travel dates are available as we had already reached the maximum threshold (on specific travel dates), of rooms available at basic redemption level. This is the reason why maybe you may have to book your stay at a much higher points redeemable depending on your travel dates.
Should you need any further assistance, I remain at your entire disposal
Sounds like a giant runaround, but also interesting she quotes an Oct 3 change in the program. So I guess the scam will be they DO have standard rooms, but they 'happen' to be taken on the days you want them. Not all standard garden bungalow rooms are created alike I guess.
This truly is utter b.s.
Buh bye Hilton
Oct 13, 11, 8:35 am
#101
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
Posts: 1,976
In contrast, at the same category (Cat 7) as Hilton Cancun (used to be), Hilton Los Cabos is much more contemperory and upscale.
Bottomline - Cancun is an important tourist town and I am sorry to see Hilton lost a property there, but it's not a big deal to Hilton's global portofolio.
Oct 13, 11, 8:36 am
#102
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 422
Those of you thinking of jumping to Starwood are in for a rude surprise: they've been doing this same thing for some time at their top-end properties. Gary Leff (gleff) and Ric Garrido (satori) have both blogged about this in the past 2 years.
To be clear, I am not defending Hilton. Their move in this direction is a real negative, and in an area where their rewards rates arguably made Hilton points worth accumulating in lieu of SPG points. Sic transit....
To be clear, I am not defending Hilton. Their move in this direction is a real negative, and in an area where their rewards rates arguably made Hilton points worth accumulating in lieu of SPG points. Sic transit....
Oct 13, 11, 8:41 am
#103
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
Posts: 1,976
Sounds like a giant runaround, but also interesting she quotes an Oct 3 change in the program. So I guess the scam will be they DO have standard rooms, but they 'happen' to be taken on the days you want them. Not all standard garden bungalow rooms are created alike I guess.
Buh bye Hilton
Buh bye Hilton
5 of the garden bungalow units are 'standard'
Oct 13, 11, 8:47 am
#104
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Walcott IA
Programs: Hilton LTD, Hyatt Glob, Marriott LTTE, AA LTP, Avis PC, National EE, Seabourn DE
Posts: 2,996
It's quite simple....5 rooms allocated (so they say) per day. Probably impossible to string more than two days together. As an outside observer, I'm just laughing that you people thought this was any kind of program to redeem points. Hhonors was gutted years ago, yet they seem to keep coming up with new ideas to make it worse.
Oct 13, 11, 8:48 am
#105
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,765
I don't disagree, as indicated by my favorable FT reviews of C&P stays at LM Vienna & the W Montreal (both a steal at cat 4). I just want people to understand that if you're looking switch to another program and redeem at the ultra-top-end, SPG's program has warts, too.
