Just seeking opinion on making Diamond
Dec 3, 2011, 4:41 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: RIC
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond
Posts: 85
Just seeking opinion on making Diamond
Hi everyone - I searched the threads (although I must admit, "scanned threads while watching the SEC Championship" is actually a better term) for something like my question, and must have missed it.
I am 3 stays shy of Diamond (yes, working on stays here, not nights or base points). I will most likely get 1 more night from work (maybeeee 2).
Now the Hilton down the street from me is available for $65 a night in mid December. I'd say making diamond is worth $65-$140 (based on 1 or 2 nights)...but is it really? When I do the math, I generally get 40,000 base points a year..which means I get an additional 10,000 points being Diamond over Gold. That is not even a half a room night for $100. Am I missing something in my calculations??
I rarely get upgrades cause me and Hampton Inn are best buddies. And I don't eat cookies. But I get free Wi-Fi either way.
Any opinions out there?
I am 3 stays shy of Diamond (yes, working on stays here, not nights or base points). I will most likely get 1 more night from work (maybeeee 2).
Now the Hilton down the street from me is available for $65 a night in mid December. I'd say making diamond is worth $65-$140 (based on 1 or 2 nights)...but is it really? When I do the math, I generally get 40,000 base points a year..which means I get an additional 10,000 points being Diamond over Gold. That is not even a half a room night for $100. Am I missing something in my calculations??
I rarely get upgrades cause me and Hampton Inn are best buddies. And I don't eat cookies. But I get free Wi-Fi either way.
Any opinions out there?
Dec 3, 2011, 5:27 pm
#2
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
Hi everyone - I searched the threads (although I must admit, "scanned threads while watching the SEC Championship" is actually a better term) for something like my question, and must have missed it.
I am 3 stays shy of Diamond (yes, working on stays here, not nights or base points). I will most likely get 1 more night from work (maybeeee 2).
Now the Hilton down the street from me is available for $65 a night in mid December. I'd say making diamond is worth $65-$140 (based on 1 or 2 nights)...but is it really? When I do the math, I generally get 40,000 base points a year..which means I get an additional 10,000 points being Diamond over Gold. That is not even a half a room night for $100. Am I missing something in my calculations??
I rarely get upgrades cause me and Hampton Inn are best buddies. And I don't eat cookies. But I get free Wi-Fi either way.
Any opinions out there?
I am 3 stays shy of Diamond (yes, working on stays here, not nights or base points). I will most likely get 1 more night from work (maybeeee 2).
Now the Hilton down the street from me is available for $65 a night in mid December. I'd say making diamond is worth $65-$140 (based on 1 or 2 nights)...but is it really? When I do the math, I generally get 40,000 base points a year..which means I get an additional 10,000 points being Diamond over Gold. That is not even a half a room night for $100. Am I missing something in my calculations??
I rarely get upgrades cause me and Hampton Inn are best buddies. And I don't eat cookies. But I get free Wi-Fi either way.
Any opinions out there?
Dec 3, 2011, 6:01 pm
#3
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
It depends on what you get back from it.
If you don't stay at hotels where upgrades matter, if you don't think you will need the force, no it's not worth it.
But even one vacation stay where you open the door to your room to a marble floored entry way into lovely suite makes it totally worth the stay or two you would need.
If you don't stay at hotels where upgrades matter, if you don't think you will need the force, no it's not worth it.
But even one vacation stay where you open the door to your room to a marble floored entry way into lovely suite makes it totally worth the stay or two you would need.
Dec 3, 2011, 6:25 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Roseville, CA
Programs: Lifetime Plat Marriott
Posts: 1,358
I will do it again this year...
This year, I am on shy 1 night. Last year, I was a few nights short. I just find a cheap local hotel and check in and leave.
But if you don't use your points or vacation in other countries, and stay only at Hampton Inns....I'd spend the money elsewhere.
But if you don't use your points or vacation in other countries, and stay only at Hampton Inns....I'd spend the money elsewhere.
Dec 3, 2011, 8:48 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: PWM/MHT/BOS
Programs: UA (lame duck)1K, US Plat,HHonors Diamond, PC Plat, SPG Plat, MR Platinum
Posts: 605
Dec 3, 2011, 9:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
I stayed in a HI last week and got a great upgrade to a two room suite. I get upgrades about half the time. Of course, you might get that as Gold.
For me, Diamond Desk is worth quite a bit, probably $100 a year, maybe more.
And, there are the extra points.
Bottom line, I would check in a couple of cheap nights to maintain Diamond.
Of course, when I check in and they see this (six more nights and four stays to go):
Stays Completed: 56
Nights Completed: 138
Base Points: 140,662
That may get me more recognition than barely Diamond.
For me, Diamond Desk is worth quite a bit, probably $100 a year, maybe more.
And, there are the extra points.
Bottom line, I would check in a couple of cheap nights to maintain Diamond.
Of course, when I check in and they see this (six more nights and four stays to go):
Stays Completed: 56
Nights Completed: 138
Base Points: 140,662
That may get me more recognition than barely Diamond.
Dec 3, 2011, 9:53 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,397
I would say it would be worth it. Especially if those 1 to 2 stays will result in you getting another qf3n certificate
Dec 4, 2011, 7:42 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: FSD
Programs: DL DM, HH Dmd
Posts: 24
After about 4-5 years as gold I made diamond last year. I do mostly HGIs. It seems to me that diamond is worth the MR. I have had to use the force twice this year. In my gold years I would have just moved to a different property but it was very nice to get into my preferred property. As gold I never received one upgrade at an HGI property I hit about once a month. I hit diamond and get a suite about 50% of the time. Even my recent award stays at an ES received the upgraded corner suite. It just seems to me that as gold I was appreciated, but as diamond it feels somewhat more so. IMHO.
Dec 4, 2011, 8:40 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: ITH
Programs: HH Diamond, National Executive, UA
Posts: 34
I'm actually in the same boat that you are. I qualed on stays, (every single one at HI). I will say that my wife really enjoys the treatment we get when I use the points to take trips (luckily they don't know that I spent 28 nights at 28 different HIs
I even got a double upgrade at the Millennium in NYC. A little *wink and a "so sorry sir, the room you requested isn't ready, let me see what else I can find."
Dec 4, 2011, 9:14 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: RIC
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond
Posts: 85
And thanks for all the feedback -- I forgot about the force, although I doubt I will need it. And I am planning on staying in a Hilton for a couple of weeks next summer in Honolulu with my family (not on points either - on my employer) and if I get that single upgrade, it would be well worth the money spent on the MR.