Rumor - Diamonds to get all on-property benefits
Jan 24, 2012, 7:27 am
#271
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 LOVE to see the policy enforced at some properties where the lounges are overcrowded such as the Palmer House on weekends in Chicago. The majority of the time we forced taking our breakfast to our room to eat because we can't find a seat and it feels like I am in romper room sometimes. Problem there is that you just need a keycard that is coded for floor 23 and you can be up there.
Jan 24, 2012, 7:47 am
#273
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: WI
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, CO/Star Platinum/Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 366
I was not getting my myway 1K points at my last stay as well.
I emailed diamond desk, and they replied promptly saying that was a system glitch, and gave me the 1K points.
I emailed diamond desk, and they replied promptly saying that was a system glitch, and gave me the 1K points.
My 1,000 points didn't post for either hotel stay this weekend so I just called the Diamond desk. This shouldn't surprise you but they had no clue what I was talking about so they called the help desk who also had no clue what was going on. I then suggested that we call the hotels I stayed at and happened to get a front desk manager that explained the new program to the diamond desk agent. The DDA was shocked that this program had started without them being notified so she gave me 3k points (1k x 2 stays and an additional 1k points for my troubles). She is going to send an email to corporate requesting that all agents be informed of this new policy change.
Also, the DT IAH front desk manager slipped and said that it was only to last until June 30th, lets hope she is wrong...
Also, the DT IAH front desk manager slipped and said that it was only to last until June 30th, lets hope she is wrong...
Jan 24, 2012, 7:49 am
#274
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,652
To be honest, I think that to me is a reduction in benefits. The conditions now say your upgrade might just be one-level (e.g. from Guest Room to Guest Room Plus or Deluxe Room), rather than to an executive room. Equally you might get a suite, or you might not. My next stay is Friday at the Hiton Dartford Bridge (room types being guest room, deluxe room, and suite), so I'll see what I get.
Jan 24, 2012, 7:53 am
#276
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BA S, VS S, SQ G, HH D, IHG D/A, Marriott G, Radisson G, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,945
Exactly - my impression is that they're just trying to manage expectations so they don't get complaints from Diamonds who didn't get the top suite each time. It'll still be down to individual properties and booking levels as to what you actually get. Now to see if my stay from last night properly posts the 1k bonus or not :P
Jan 24, 2012, 7:59 am
#277
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BA S, VS S, SQ G, HH D, IHG D/A, Marriott G, Radisson G, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,945
At Hilton®, Conrad® Hotels & Resorts and DoubleTree by Hilton™, choose from:
- A space-available room upgrade, including breakfast.**
You will be upgraded to an Executive Floor room (where/when available) at time of check-in. If an Executive Floor room is unavailable, you will be upgraded to the next best available room from the room type booked. Upgrades exclude suites, villas and specialty accommodations. At hotels with Executive Floor lounges, if an Executive Floor room upgrade is available, you will also receive access to the lounge. In addition, you will receive complimentary Continental breakfast for you and up to one additional registered hotel guest each day of your stay. - Earn 1,000 Hilton HHonors® bonus points per stay.
A great way to maximize your points earnings.
Jan 24, 2012, 8:08 am
#280
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kirkland, WA
Programs: AS 75K,UA Gold 1.6MM, Hilton Dia, Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Glb, Natl Exec, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,657
Exactly. No change... so what's the fuss about? Now we get the extra points too? I get to enjoy the same room on the executive floor... Whoopee...
Jan 24, 2012, 8:09 am
#281
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,554
As a Gold who is using Amex for a few months to secure Diamond, I consider this an upgrade in benefits. It'll be interesting to see if/how the suite upgrades begin to flow to Diamonds in practice.
Right now, I'm MR Plat and SPG Plat. I think of MR as a "breakfast program": that's the main Platinum benefit; upgrades are rare and outside the promised scope of the program. I think of SPG as a "suite program" - breakfast isn't included at many brands and lounges are less common, but upgrades are in-scope and were actually delivered for me on about 2/3rds of my stays in 2011. It seems to me that maybe HH Diamond is shooting for both.
Considering that my personal uses of points place the overall rate of reward earnings at SPG and MR a smidge higher than HH, I think it makes sense to do this.
But we'll see...it all depends on how the suite upgrades are actually implemented.
Right now, I'm MR Plat and SPG Plat. I think of MR as a "breakfast program": that's the main Platinum benefit; upgrades are rare and outside the promised scope of the program. I think of SPG as a "suite program" - breakfast isn't included at many brands and lounges are less common, but upgrades are in-scope and were actually delivered for me on about 2/3rds of my stays in 2011. It seems to me that maybe HH Diamond is shooting for both.
Considering that my personal uses of points place the overall rate of reward earnings at SPG and MR a smidge higher than HH, I think it makes sense to do this.
But we'll see...it all depends on how the suite upgrades are actually implemented.
Jan 24, 2012, 8:11 am
#282
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ATL
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,061
Jan 24, 2012, 8:24 am
#283
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
Nope, just in the Towers which is run as a separate hotel. (I don't know the definitive answer to this but I think the majority of W-A branded hotels don't have lounges.) Several years is was a local hotel practice that Diamonds got breakfast vouchers for Oscars, but lately others have reported that Diamonds get a voucher for a Starbucks and maybe a muffin in the lobby. When the adjustments discussed in this thread became known my first reaction was: Ohh, maybe they'll go back to the Oscar's vouchers for Diamonds, but seems like not
I still think if Hilton want to improve the program they should change the breakfast from a contential to full breakfast for diamonds. That chance alone would get Hilton more of my business (such as when I am in Toronto and stay at the courtyard instead of the Hilton mainly because the CY gives a full hot breakfast buffet comped on a AAA rate).
Jan 24, 2012, 8:53 am
#284
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,768
Nope, just in the Towers which is run as a separate hotel. (I don't know the definitive answer to this but I think the majority of W-A branded hotels don't have lounges.) Several years is was a local hotel practice that Diamonds got breakfast vouchers for Oscars, but lately others have reported that Diamonds get a voucher for a Starbucks and maybe a muffin in the lobby. When the adjustments discussed in this thread became known my first reaction was: Ohh, maybe they'll go back to the Oscar's vouchers for Diamonds, but seems like not
Jan 24, 2012, 9:04 am
#285
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,547
As Gold, it used to be you would get upgraded to the Exec Floor if space available, now it seems they don't have to do that and could give you a Guest Room Plus. If this is correct, its a massive devaluation of the programme.
The same applies to Diamonds except you get access to the lounge.
I'd imagine quite a few hotels will follow this cheaper method and upgrade to "preferred" rooms.
The same applies to Diamonds except you get access to the lounge.
I'd imagine quite a few hotels will follow this cheaper method and upgrade to "preferred" rooms.