Zero revenue stays, just like last year. :)

The Hilton program just doesn't offer much anymore to the occasional leisure traveler, particularly after the easy Gold fasttracks were eliminated. And I find the vacation-area ES and Hamptons to be outrageously priced.

My only regret is not being able to cash out my 80k points under the old chart. :(

The consequence has been that my award stays at Hilton hotels far exceed my regular paid stays at Hilton hotels, and regular paid stays that would previously go to Hilton hotels have been diverted to other chains.

Customers who run down their loyalty program account's high balance into a very low balance are amongst the most likely frequent customers to board another loyalty program's ship. I'm no exception to that -- with Hyatt, Starwood, Radisson, Choice, LHW having all gained at Hilton's expense.

Only 1 paid stay this year.

Marriott has earned my business because:

1. Recent 5000k Delta miles promo for each stay. Strategically found $52-59rates at SpringHill Suite/Courtyard/RI with $20 Target Gift Card promo so net rate was $32-39. Earned 60000k Delta miles for 13 Marriott stays.
2. Achieved Platinum during this promo via Plat Challenge
3. Current Promo is with every other stay get a free cat1-4 hotel certificate. Works for me as using them during football weekend Auburn vs. LSU at Marriott Grand National Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Value $585
4. Marriott VISA just finished 3-month spending promo-received one free CAT 1-4 night.
5. Frequently use Free Night EEO certificate at full service Marriott or Renaissance. Strategically use this around ATL or Dulles for $69-$79. Pay this rate and second night is free. No points needed, just the EEO! Also use 2-4-1 Dining Certificate. If breakfast is an issue then I book the "Stay for Breakfast" rate that is typically $10-20 more.
6. Travel Package reward is awesome! Cashed in 300,000 points during US AIRWAYS promo for 50% bonus for point transfer. Received 180,000 USAirways points and a 7 night stay in Curacao.
7. Cashed in an additional 90,000 points and got the All-Inclusive package in Curacao. This was probably the best use of my points ever!
8. Am working back to another Travel Package and All-Inclusive award as quickly as I can and will time it with another 50% Airline Bonus Transfer.

Am Hilton Diamond with approx. 1.2 million points. When traveling in Europe I do stay with Hilton. Really like the spouse stays free, free breakfast amenity, executive lounge access whether upgraded to executive level or not.
I am concerned about dropping to Gold in 2010. Have had unbelievable Hilton upgrades in Europe and U.S.

Wow, 60,000,000 Delta miles? Nice! :p

I'm Hilton Diamond perpetually now due to the Amex Surpass card. But your post has me thinking it's time to go Marriott.

exact same thing here....

no need to pay for another flight, ever again....:D:D

[QUOTE=hellmutt;14628861]Wow, 60,000,000 Delta miles? Nice! :p

I'm definitely a bit "0" happy!:)

I have made Diamond this year, but only sit at about 63 nights so far. Last year by now I had double that. I have been spending a lot more time with SPG this year. Better promos, Upgrades, and overall better service. They still do not have enough hotels yet, but I have seen more and more choices from them. Hilton just doesn't offer enough at this point, nothing special other then the amount of properties. The more time I spend on the Hilton website the madder I get, and the DD just seems to be getting worse & worse. I think that is do to either they are staffed less hours all the time or the calls roll over to the normal customer service if the phones are busy. Overall the chain seems to be going slowly downhill.

The Great promos?
Sorry I am not buying it they devalued points 20 plus percent.
I paid for them with my 200,000 plus loss and as did many other members that subsidized other guests who earned during the promotion
Hyatt ran free night promotions unlimited for years without a valuation until recently.And a Garden Inn like category in the Hyatt brand isnt the same amount or close to the amount of points a full service property.
Its seems as if Hilton makes every hotel even in cow pasture at or close to a category 7 redemption
Hilton had to demolish the value of their program to finally run a good promotion.Pitiful if you ask me

Free Internet was a huge improvement but it was pressure from Hyatt and SPG and Marriott in the end that made them cave in
Hilton hurt its very core value in its program and my business is then half currently and sinking.

I do like staying in some Hiltons but its a pleasure to get out many of its bland hotels that I stayed in when I wanted at all costs to remain Diamond

Same for me. It was at the HGI in Mountain View, CA and it was an epic FAIL for the management, service and room there.

I understand the free internet is a nice addition for this year but seriously, it should have been in place a long time ago. If I'm paying $400+ a night to stay in the Executive floor of the best Hiltons around the world, and I have free internet in the Executive Lounge, there is no excuse for charging up to $20 a day to access it in your room. I spent close to 10 days at the Hilton Beijing Wangfujiang earlier this year and racked up $200 just to access the internet, shocking on their part.

Also, am I the only one who cringes when they tell you a bucket of ice will cost $5? The last 5 Hiltons I have stayed at this year all charged me about that, whether it be for a delivery charge or physically charging for the ice. At the Park Lane Hilton last week the porter called room service for my ice bucket as I was reading an email, he didn't know about the $5 charge and was appalled by it. I was talking to him while I had a smoke outside and he told me how a lot of Diamonds have been staying away since Hilton started the 'games' with points and charges.

On top of the usual points I accrue, I have 35,000 club points a year, equivalent to 700-750,000 HHonors points per annum. This was a pretty big investment, but since every property is now in one of the top categories, the HHonors points are nigh on useless unless you redeem at an insanely expensive property. Conrad Tokyo is my usual destination

Rant over

Well I thought charging for carryons and using the bathroom on the plane was ridiculous, now this is over the top. Hence yet another reason I stay at HGI or HI if I can help it.

I'd like to take my business elsewhere, but the options just aren't there. In many of the smaller towns I go to, the Hampton is the only decent option. I quit on IHG when I tired of all the crappy HIX. When from 60 IHG stays last year to 2 this year.

So I just do the best I can with the Hilton promos.

Is this to have a bucket of ice delivered to your room, or are they also charging for ice you get yourself from the ice machine?

Every hotel I ahve stayed at overcharges for everything. If you are asking room service to deliver a bucket of ice only, I can't imagine IF a hotel would deliver it they wouldn't charge for it.

Now if you are talking about going and getting ice yourself and they are telling you there is a charge IMO that is as bad as a gas station charging for air.