I was interested in using the IC Thalasso with a few points accumulated over the years since they advertised "all overwater bungalows". That was until I read EVERY single last thread about the property in the IC forum--and learned that even top level elites using points get relegated to the new "family" bungalows. So apologies if this is not correct--I am only going by what FTers including the elites have been saying throughout the master thread.

Note that this is a recent policy specific to the property--the family bungalows without a view are quite new. And I am not commenting about IC's general upgrade policies or practices since I really do not know.

This probably deserves a separate post on why HHonors loyalists should avoid the PC/IC enticement.

I agree PC has its issues but I think of it as an opportunity rather than a detriment and they are far from the worst out there (Choicehotels for example). The opportunity is an amazing value return. They have issues and they know it. There are pockets of good hotels in their system along with some bad ones but they are purging properties that can't measure up and remodeling others. The really big thing is the promos - you can accumulate points like no other program and the redemption includes the anyhotel card which gives you way more flexibility. With their amazing promo spectrum I've realized over 20% return in anyhotel cards against my spend in that program. Just avoid the non-H'd Holiday Inns and you can do very well.

Very good summary that I very much agree with re PC. Don't forget the PB's that you can take advantage of on reward stays if flexible on location.

I understand being upset about the devaluation but to compare Hyatt to Hilton is just silly.
As a whole the high end Hilton properties, which include Waldorf, Conrad and even most full service hotels are so far superior to Hyatt that it is not even funny.
Those are the hotels I enjoy staying at so I am happy to continue my business.
To me this is like getting mad at my Mercedes dealer for an increase in price and saying "I will show them" and buying a Toyota
Marriott is a bit different situation but the super high end resorts that Hilton has such as Grand Wailea, Conrad Maldives, Bora Bora etc are still way better and those are the type places I want to use points anyway

I was very grumpy about the devaluation and was looking to take my business elsewhere. I stay on my own dime and can only qualify for top status in only one program via stays. However, like snapper, I tend to use my awards at the very high end/expensive Hilton properties where they are very cost-effective.
After settling down from my discontent and trying a few of the other chains' higher end hotels, I am still quite satisfied with my treatment at Hilton. At the hotel level, I still am treated well.
Unfortunately, it looks like corporate services are slipping. Though opportunities to earn points are still good, I have to keep a very close eye on my points. 3 out of my last 4 stays were either not posted or missing points . I don't know if this is intentional. Prior to the devaluation, I had very few problems with stays/points posting properly (aside from the AMEX online bonus). I hope this is not a way of Hilton "nickeling and diming" us. If it comes down to having to fight constantly for my earned points, I will leave Hilton.

Similar experience here, although not that pronounced. Still, my time is more valuable than having to call the Diamond Desk and spending 15 minutes (and at times more) to make sure I get the points that I earned. I do have to say that the representatives over the past few months have been less aloof and non-caring--much friendlier than just a year ago. Still, often they don't know what the heck they're doing and have to involve a supervisor. I wonder what the reps for the blue level are like.

I called the Diamond desk yesterday to transfer some points to a friend (their online transfer tool doesnt work).
They charged 25.00 to tansfer 10,000 points.. Seems steep. I complained about it as well as the devaluation. She gave me an extra 2000 points for "my loyalty". She asked if she could document my disatisfaction with the devaluation since every other call was a complaint about the deval...
I also told them to look at my history for the past 2 years on a weekly basis, and compare to my weeky stays since jan 15. Only 2 stays as opposed to 4 nites a week...

Wonder if anything will happen...

I had only 48 nights or so last year, and so expect to be dropped to Gold sometime this spring.

Based on that fact plus the various devaluations of points and customer experience, I took a Marriott Challenge and was comp'ed to Gold status with them. I need 12 nights and then will keep my Gold into 2012.

Once I am Gold with each of these 2 chains, I will do a price and service comparison on an equal basis. My preference will be to work towards Marriott Platinum most likely, since I can get Hilton Gold for free with the Amex card.

Still doing Hilton this year. While I'd prefer to move back to Starwood or Hyatt, they just don't have properties where I normally need to stay.

Marriott and IC are my other options. However, IC seems to be a bit ambiguous about how to become Royal Ambassador - I don't know how many stays/nights I really need to make it. Marriott requires more nights than I normally do each year to maintain top-tier status.

Will be staying with HH this year, hopefully they will have some decent promos to offset the devaluation.

For me the only considerations are Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt. Starwood or IC/PC. Period.

Simply because these chains offer high end to low end--and everything in between.

Well, here's the thing. Since many of the Hilton Hotels are franchised, Hilton will get push back if the franchisees notice a significant drop in demand and, importantly, revenues. I see the situation similar to the Jay/Conan mess between the NBC affiliates and the network. The ratings tanked and the affiliates spoke LOUD and CLEAR. The network was forced to make drastic changes.

For those of you who frequent specific hotels and are changing to other chains, you need to let the hotel GM know your feelings. If s/he gets enough complaints, they will let corporate know -- particularly if they're losing money.

Very well stated!

I have not stayed in a Hilton except 3 nights in 2009 and that was to burn points.

To put that in perspective we have 84 nights in hotels for business since April of last year. For leisure add another 24 days. The only Hilton I miss is the Conrad in Singapore and the Auckland Harbour Hilton.

Don't miss it too much I am booked there shortly and planning to move my booking to the Westin Auckland
Add another point award to my devaluation when I cancel it
At least I am sure to have a superior stay

(http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10625915)

Wow!
That is too bad . I loved to set in the corner of the bow suite with an evening drink and watch the boats go by. I was the last June and there was quite a storm moving through, It was fantastic to watch but I guess not good for the hotel.
PS Avoid the interior rooms at the Westin. If you are there on the week ends or holidays. The courtyard is used for receptions etc. and celebrations and can get quite noisy. The corner harbour view rooms are best.

Thanks
I had a corner harbor room last time at the Westin and I must say the shower was in the top 5 ever experienced in my lifetime in or out of a hotel.A true Heavenly Shower vastly superior in every aspect to the US version.That includes thousands of room nights around the world.In fact my intention is too buy one and take it back home with me.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/tra...cle6955909.ece