$2500/nt.? LOL - nobody's at that level that I know of, provided you redeem the "logical" awards in each program.

For kicks, I ran my own numbers using my own status levels. MR Plat, HH Gold, SPG Gold. I considered a high-quality mainline hotel for the logical stay length in each program (5 nights in MR and SPG, 6 nights in HH). I assume the correct credit card is used for each stay.

For this purpose, I did not attempt to count my favorite award - the MR Travel Package - because there is no good parallel in HH.

I did not factor in promotions because they come in so many forms. For example, Marriott does lame points promos but better gift card discounts, bonus bucks, and Elite Exclusive Offers 2-for-1 nights. It's hard to quantify them in terms of points.

I used Marriott Cat 6, "new" HH Cat 7, Starwood Cat 5. This is somewhat subjective, but it fits with what I tend to book in reality. I have yet to book SPG Cat 6/7, Waldorf, or Ritz using points.

Anyway, my numbers...yours will undoubtedly vary.

MR - Cost is 120k points for 5 nights. Earning is 20 pts/$. $1,200 spent = 1 night.

SPG - Cost is 48k points for 5 nights. Earning is 5 pts/$. $1,920 spent = 1 night.

Today's HH - Cost is 175k points for 6 nights. Earning is 23.5 pts/$. $1,241 spent = 1 night. (I use 23.5 because "today's" HH points were banked primarily with a credit card yielding only 6 points per dollar.)

2010 HH - Cost is 225k points for 6 nights. Earning is 29 pts/$. $1,293 spent = 1 night. (I'm giving HH some credit here - they've given me a path to Diamond and added 3 extra pts/$ on the credit card.)

2010 HH without the Surpass card upgrade, remaining at Gold status, would be $1,595 spent per night.

There are a couple reasons I think SPG appears to be on the high end:

(1) Their "no capacity controls" feels more real to me than either Marriott's or Hilton's. I can't prove it, but when I look at high-demand situations I almost always end up booking a SPG award because MR and HH have no awards available - even if all three brands are still selling rooms for cash.
(2) I think SPG realizes that most of its frequent guests are reaping a lot of benefit from general credit card spending. They can keep their hotel-spend requirements higher and guests are still happy because the CC is so powerful.
(3) SPG is geared to reward the Plat member more than anything, with better Plat-only promotions and a meaningful-value Plat stay bonus. Marriott and HH both offer "welcome amenity" points if we choose, but the amount is small and we usually opt for something else.

Anyway, my conclusion here is that a current HH Gold can mitigate most of the devaluation by going "all in" with Hilton. Someone sitting on the periphery - using the CC a bit, doing a few stays, remaining Gold - gets hit hard. Marriott becomes the more rewarding choice - even if you only do Gold-type business with them.

Somehow I don't think this devaluation is going to incentivize a bunch of people to go chasing Diamond. I think it's going to drive people to other programs.

Good analysis Pinniped.

SPG has something similar to a travel package, but the best use of SPG points is cash and points. The best use of HHonors points is point stretchers but we don't know how often they'll be offered next year. Cash and points is often available at SPG properties.

With Hyatt, SPG, and to a lesser extent, Marriott, earning points means working the promos.

I still maintain lots of people are getting a free night (at a cat. 1 property) with Hyatt for less than $70, if they're using Hyatt gift checks.

Yes, you are correct. I stand corrected. That partner is wrong bc he isn't factoring in promos, which Hilton is poor at compared to the other chains. Of course, for those travelers who don't care about points, it doesn't matter.

Just my opinion - no, the pending devaluation isn't a killer in itself. In fact I'm sorry to say we're going to see more moves like it from more programs. The economy is tight and I suspect many companies that are cutting travel now will not be restoring it in the future if times get better. Inflating the 'currency' is an escape valve the programs are going to use to get out from under the point liabilities - facts of life.

That said - I do think that this latest move is creating too much compound annoyance on top of everything else. The upgrade benefit is fading thanks to NOR1 and HHhonors is far behind its competitors in offering promos. Other programs are looking more and more attractive by comparison.

As all this plays out I guess I have mixed emotions. I understand in this age companies have to be creative to stay afloat and if Hilton wants to give points to people who do not stay at their properties I guess that is their business. Of course, having no knowledge of the hotel industry I always assumed the goal was putting warm bodies in their rooms. Guess I was wrong.

As for the point increase, since they are giving away more points, I can understand the need to control the redemption of those points and the increase is a simple way to do that. Of course this is not a great way to show appreciation to those loyal to the program.

I think if they wanted my loyalty and support, they would find a way to lessen the impact.

How about raising the number of miles per dollar for BIB (butt in bed) nights. That would be a true loyalty award for staying at their properties.

Perhaps a bonus program. How about a free night for every x number of nights stayed. Another loyalty award for staying at their properties.

I think the ball is in their court and while I'm not expecting a holiday miracle, it would be nice if they showed a little appreciation to their customers.

+1. Some other chains do this quite regularly. Marriott's EEO 2-for-1 weekend certs - nearly always available to elites for most U.S. mainline Marriotts/Renaissances - are an underrated perk that translates into a few free nights per year with no hassle at all. Hyatt does their FFN annually and even SPG recently ran a bonus free night promo above the regular points earning.

I know HH had a nice one about two years ago, but it'd be nice if they built in more of a predictable bonus program. Hyatt FFN and Marriott EEO are practically part of those brands now.

Based on the posts in this thread, I'd say the answer is YES :td:

i loved the comment to the right
 

Here I am seriously reading the article and then I look to the comment / reader response to the right :

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/hil...1?pagenumber=2

Pricless:D

Can I assume this was a spelling error?:D

mike

I'm not so sure we will see more moves like this from other programs. Certainly not a fact...

SPG for example ties the redemption for hotels to the avg room rate from the year before and if I recall right last year had more reductions than increases.

Hyatt has made great improvements with 4 confirmable suite upgrades and removed the inventory restrictions on awards to be like HH.

Hilton is increasing the categories for hotels, increasing points per category, and also reduced the value of the Cat6 AXON - if I recall right. Its degraded a lot and I've moved almost all my business away from HH now.

Great post. Re #1 above, I have found that HH award availability is virtually unlimited for Diamond special request, which makes the value of HH & Diamond a winner, this is in comparison to SPG Plat and most recently Hyatt Diamond. Hyatt Diamond does not have a special Diamond availability rule, does have a no blackout rule, but does tightly control award availability via the "Standard" guestroom only rule......try and book an award at a Grand Hyatt where only 10% of the rooms are "Standard" guestrooms and you will see what I mean.

Now that we're getting a sense of just how bad the devaluation really is, we need to send a "vote with our wallets" message to HH Honors that their decisions are not appreciated.

I have 22 award nights scheduled for this year. Will then give HH about 38 nights--enought to get three free nights with the current "Nioht On Us" promotion and maintain my Diamond status (useful as I use up all of my million plus points in the next two years).

Then I'm off to greener pastures for the other 150+ nights in 2010.

Top Tier Status Match to Hyatt and SPG
 

The Hyatt status match could not have been easier. My friend gave me the diamond line number so I called and requested the match then faxed over my most recent HHonors statement. Had an A+ interaction with a seasoned CSR. It took about 3 days because it was over the holiday but I received a nice email letting me know when it was done and I am very impressed so far.

I've been treated well by Hilton over the years and enjoyed some great award stays - so no hard feelings, but this devaluation makes the program much less attractive to me and I will be shifting a portion of my business stays elsewhere. I also obtained a match to SPG so I will check out some of their properties as well.

My favorite thing about Hilton is that there is a high level of consistency within brands. IMO, SPG doesn't offer that so much but I am counting on Hyatt to provide it.

You won't be sorry...... wise choice especially in light of the next few days
Hyatt has had the Midas touch this past year. Next Big Thing stole the free night thunder with unlimited free nights for redemption in any category hotel worldwide.
Hyatt properties on average are typically nicer with better food and beverage and frequently lower rates.

The point value blows HH out of the water as does the Hyatt GP customer service.Free full breakfast for up to 4 registered guests at every stay confirmable upgrades to suites 4x a year on revenue stays.Free wifi at every stay and a choice of amenity at check in such as 1000 GP bonus points and yes drum roll please your upgrade too ^

How about 5000 points a night for a free room @ the Hyatt Auckland Vs The Hilton Auckland let me count em 50,000 points! :eek::rolleyes:
For 10x the amount of points at HH.For that honor at HH one is then forced to give up bonus points and upgrades for a typically mediocre breakfast aka MY Way should they want to dine

In addition to all the Hyatt perks Gold Passport offers Diamonds 2500 bonus points if the Executive lounge is closed and you still get full breakfast or if you don't get the bedding type you reserved still 2500 points.No comparison Hiltons main claim to fame is an awesome amount of properties
That said I do very well with Hyatt and SPG covering most locations worldwide
Hyatts bonues are strikingly rich and you can earn mega airline bonus miles when their promos runs.
I earned a 25 k airline bonus on my last 20 stays with Hyatt in the last quarter not including the 500 miles per stay! :-::-::-:
and did I mention all.......... the welcome amenity points

Hilton has a decent program however its on the back burner for me in comparison to the real winners.
I could find more to beat the what were they thinking drums however I have beaten up on them enough here as it is :o
Let the devaluation begin :cool: