Does Silver count for anything ?
Oct 10, 2003 | 11:04 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK (currently)
Programs: BA zilch (and many other greater and lesser distinctions)
Posts: 7,373
Does Silver count for anything ?
I rarely stay at Hiltons (in fact only the occasional Conrad) but have a Hilton Silver card as part of a Hilton CC promo.
I will shortly being staying at the Hong Kong Conrad. Can I reasonably expect my silver status to count for anything on my stay or are silvers just two a penny ?
I will shortly being staying at the Hong Kong Conrad. Can I reasonably expect my silver status to count for anything on my stay or are silvers just two a penny ?
Oct 10, 2003 | 11:38 am
#3
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Naples, Florida
Posts: 7,419
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Silver VIP Membership
To Qualify: You'll need a minimum of four qualifying* stays or 10 qualifying* nights in a calendar year at HHonors hotels. At Scandic hotels, only qualifying nights count toward VIP status. Effective January 1, 2003, stays at Entertainment and Encore rates are no longer eligible for stay credit toward VIP status.
*Qualifying Rate stays are stays at all rates except wholesale/tour operator packages, contracted airline crew rates, complimentary or barter rooms, stays on NET Group, Series Group or IT Group rates, contracted Entertainment or Encore rates, stays using airline percent-off award certificates, or stays booked via Priceline.com, Hotwire.com or similar booking channels where the hotel brand is unknown at time of purchase.
Point Bonuses: Earn a 15% bonus on all HHonors Base points credited while you are a Silver VIP member.
Complimentary Health Club Privileges: Enjoy complimentary access to the health club or fitness center during your stay, at hotel owned and operated facilities.
VIP Only Rewards: HHonors Silver VIPs may choose from an exclusive selection of rewards at special VIP-only points levels. For complete details, click here.
</font>
Silver VIP Membership
To Qualify: You'll need a minimum of four qualifying* stays or 10 qualifying* nights in a calendar year at HHonors hotels. At Scandic hotels, only qualifying nights count toward VIP status. Effective January 1, 2003, stays at Entertainment and Encore rates are no longer eligible for stay credit toward VIP status.
*Qualifying Rate stays are stays at all rates except wholesale/tour operator packages, contracted airline crew rates, complimentary or barter rooms, stays on NET Group, Series Group or IT Group rates, contracted Entertainment or Encore rates, stays using airline percent-off award certificates, or stays booked via Priceline.com, Hotwire.com or similar booking channels where the hotel brand is unknown at time of purchase.
Point Bonuses: Earn a 15% bonus on all HHonors Base points credited while you are a Silver VIP member.
Complimentary Health Club Privileges: Enjoy complimentary access to the health club or fitness center during your stay, at hotel owned and operated facilities.
VIP Only Rewards: HHonors Silver VIPs may choose from an exclusive selection of rewards at special VIP-only points levels. For complete details, click here.
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[This message has been edited by USAFAN (edited 10-10-2003).]
Oct 10, 2003 | 1:11 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Texas, U.S.A.
Posts: 19,523
Been a couple years, but when I was a Silver for a period of time there, I actually often did pretty well on the upgrade front by playing the humility card at check-in.
"Look...I know I'm a nobody Silver, but any even remote chance of an upgrade today?"
Was very pleasantly surprised by what I often got. Sometimes I think low-paid front desk folks can often relate more to the "have nots" than the "haves."
"Look...I know I'm a nobody Silver, but any even remote chance of an upgrade today?"
Was very pleasantly surprised by what I often got. Sometimes I think low-paid front desk folks can often relate more to the "have nots" than the "haves."
Oct 10, 2003 | 1:40 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 74,162
Thanks Premex. Since I dropped to Silver (wasn't tracking stays/nights) this year, will try the humble thing & see if it works. Worst case I just get a normal room.
------------------
Sharon
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Sharon
Oct 10, 2003 | 6:09 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2001
Location: PDX
Posts: 863
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PremEx:
[B]"Look...I know I'm a nobody Silver, but any even remote chance of an upgrade today?"
B]</font>
[B]"Look...I know I'm a nobody Silver, but any even remote chance of an upgrade today?"
B]</font>
Oct 10, 2003 | 10:26 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: USA, JPN, GBR
Programs: A3, AA, AC, AS, DL, NH, SQ, SK, UA; BW, CP, HH, IHG, MB
Posts: 2,030
I got a full breakfast buffet and water bottles at an HGI as a silver, but when I was a gold, I got an upgrade to a whirlpool suite in addition.
Doubletree gave me the same treatment, with the cookies, breakfast, and the VIP amenity. No upgrade, b/c they only have standard rooms.
Doubletree gave me the same treatment, with the cookies, breakfast, and the VIP amenity. No upgrade, b/c they only have standard rooms.
Oct 10, 2003 | 10:29 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SEA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 100K, Delta Lifetime Gold (MM), HH Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, MR Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 231
I think you have a better chance of an upgrade when things are slow at the hotel. When I stayed at the HHV as a silver in early December, 2001, I was upgraded to the Ali'i tower.
Several of my co-workers who are silver have been upgraded to suites in the Diamond Head tower.
Several of my co-workers who are silver have been upgraded to suites in the Diamond Head tower.
Oct 11, 2003 | 5:16 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: London UK
Programs: BA Bronze, Hilton Silver
Posts: 1,036
I got quite a lot of room up-grades when I was a silver, more so than I do now I have a gold. Having said that UK Hilton's don't seem to take the HHonors programme or what should be offered too seriously.
Oct 11, 2003 | 10:28 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Alameda, CA, USA
Programs: UA 2P (will be 0P next yr), HH Diamond (thank you Surpass Card!)
Posts: 807
You are eligible for ALONs, GLONs and TEENs, which is what I save up my points for: nice inexpensive vacations in expensive cities.
I have occasionally received access to the executive lounges when I have asked (humbly) and even without asking (it happened recently at the Hilton Memphis, a nice surprise although not such a great lounge). Also breakfast coupons at HGI's when I have asked. There has often been bottled water waiting in the room. No upgrades that I can remember, although until I started reading FT, I didn't know to ask!
I have occasionally received access to the executive lounges when I have asked (humbly) and even without asking (it happened recently at the Hilton Memphis, a nice surprise although not such a great lounge). Also breakfast coupons at HGI's when I have asked. There has often been bottled water waiting in the room. No upgrades that I can remember, although until I started reading FT, I didn't know to ask!
Oct 13, 2003 | 7:52 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Houston, Texas
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Plat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 653
I've been Silver for about two years now -- don't travel enough for business to make it Gold, and mostly I just travel for pleasure. It's a good thing for me. I like the VIP reward eligibility -- it makes my points go further. And I like having the 15% bonus since I've got both HHonors credit cards.
On the upgrade front, I get them about 25% of the time. I always ask. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. If they say no, though, they tend to make it up some other way. For example, at the DT Grand Key Resort a few months back, they didn't have any other rooms available, but gave us free breakfast for the six nights we were there. I've found that if you shoot high -- ask for the upgrade -- sometimes you'll get it, but at least they'll give you something else smaller in return.
On the upgrade front, I get them about 25% of the time. I always ask. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. If they say no, though, they tend to make it up some other way. For example, at the DT Grand Key Resort a few months back, they didn't have any other rooms available, but gave us free breakfast for the six nights we were there. I've found that if you shoot high -- ask for the upgrade -- sometimes you'll get it, but at least they'll give you something else smaller in return.