Hopefully the mommypoints article is correct.

Seems like no one at the diamond desk knows anymore about what is going on than anyone here since we all get different answers.

I am REALLY surprised that the devaluation didn't get leaked by any websites before the email from Hilton came out.

I think the entire discussion related to the AXON award and the Amex card should be made a separate thread. It only involves holders of the credit card. It is entirely separate from the creation of new categories and and the changing of hotel categories for various hotels.

^ +1 - it's like rubbing salt in the wound hearing about these lovely AXON awards and VRs that most of us don't have access to :D - I always knew they were there but it just reminds me what a doubly bad deal we're getting! :( I do think they should be honouring free night certs for the new increased categories though - would be a bit weird if it was Cat 1-7 & WA, yet not 8-10!

Aghhh. I just checked the Doubletree New York Times Square for later this year. Going up from 50,000 pts/night to 95,000 pts/night. I was working on moving my Amex points to HHonors (through an airline program to maximize the exchange). Not any more.

Called Diamond desk last week and the rep said she had not heard from anyone regarding the devaluation and that it was going to be a good change for diamond members. Ha! I am not that amused. I went ahead and booked AXON awards for Christmas for the Conrad Maldives, Hilton Seychelles and Hilton Mauritius. All were at 37.5k a night...a great deal. At 95k/night I am not sure. FYI - Looks like availability at those resorts are now limited over the holidays.

As one who has point balances in all programs, I feel you pain. However to be fair the devaluation has occurred across all hotel programs, not just HHonors, and the loyal travelers are shafted everywhere (presumably at the expense of credit card churners). One can correctly presume this is a reflection of the uptick in hotel rates and occupancy, as well as general "point" inflation due to sales to bank. If you think about it the result makes sense as the hotel chains (like airlines) value the millions in annual revenue they received from banks but not the much smaller $$ they receive from any individual "loyal" consumer.

This is really the best strategy - if everyone would cancel their hotel affiliated credit cards then the banks would be unhappy, and the hotel chains would be forced to adjust. However this is unlikely to happen in any meaningful #s. So then you just have a few elites here and there who send nasty letters to customer service - the effect on business may not even be noticeable as Priority Club elites switch to HHonors, HHonors elites switch to Marriott, Marriott switch to Hyatt, etc.

Exactly. The properties won't miss all the elites staying free, they will only care if their corporate bookings are down. But will be fun to watch them whine when the next recession hits and they start discounting heavily on priceline when occupancy plummets.

Nah, don't buy it. I don't think they research it at all, unnecessary as it has been done so many times by so many competitors, with no reprecussions.

As for elites I don't think you can say one size fits all. Personally I find most of the perks to be useless. However I really do value the ability to book free rooms at expensive properties that I would not otherwise be able to afford, particularly during peak periods and last minute flexibility. That's top priority to me, and it is being massively devalued at Marriott, Hilton and Priority Club (and to some extent at SPG due to C+P changes). So I will be looking at Hyatt, and will be opening a Hyatt Chase account as well.

Isn't 37.5k just a normal rate for Mauritius?

The change really isnt that much at most places. As the cost of doing business rises, so does the cost of the "free" amenities and the point programs. What is not known to many is the hotels are required to pay Hilton for each member that stays at the hotel. They are charged for each member they sign up for the program. If there are AAA or AARP discounts given there is an additional fee the hotel must pay. There are fees and taxes for being able to run a credit card. The cost of cleaning supplies, linens, fixtures, furniture, food orders, wages, etc have increased. Its business 101, when the cost of running the business rises, the charge for the service must rise to stay profitable. Each award stay or Points and Pay stay ends up costing the hotel rather than them making any money on it. I am just thankful there is an award program at all so I get a little back for what I spend with them each year.

I emailed HH concerning the Citi certs just wondering what type of response I would get. The reply was interesting in that she told me the limits on the certificate as stated and the timing of the category changes, but what was interesting was her response that what categories the certificate is good for is a Citi decision, not a HH decision. I guess I incorrectly assumed that HH decided at what level the certificates would good for. Here is some of the email response:

"I sincerely apologize for any confusion. The promotional certificates can be applied for any category 1-7 hotels and the Waldorf Collection for one night. The certificate is NOT accepted at Hilton Grand Vacation hotels, All-Inclusive hotels, the Embassy Suites Kingston Plantation Condos or at the Hilton Royale Palms. Unfortunately, we haven't been informed from Visa if they are going to make any changes on the categories. "

Don't you just love this coordination between HHonors and their credit card vendor? :rolleyes:

More importantly, don't you just love the proactive communication between HHonors and its membership on matters pertaining to their continued membership in the program? :rolleyes:

Thanks, NCGator, for pointing out yet another miserable way HHonors has failed us -- of course, we still don't have any official word from a HHonors rep what is to be come of the Citi certs as well as the AXON certs, and yet, there was an official rep from HHonors who sometimes posts in this forum. :td:

From Visa? Sigh. Visa has nothing to do with it.

This is my issue almost entirely. Have banked a few hundred thousand points for a trip later this year and can't book AXON for it yet since I don't have the award travel booked/can't get dates yet.

The premium room devaluation hit at the end of the year after I had hoarded points all *that* year. Just starting to feel like Charlie Brown with a football - as soon as I get close to an award, the goalpost gets moved.

Also had a super bad experience at a very expensive Waldorf in Key West...just getting tired of Hilton's indifference generally. Will cut back on my Surpass spend (if not cancel the card entirely)... probably will move at least a few stays to Priceline.

Yes please. There are plenty of members who do not have and cannot get either of the credit cards and the signal/noise ratio isn't very good for them.
You still have another month and a day to book at 50,000 points per night (or whatever other special rate you may be entitled to).

Yes please. There are plenty of members who do not have and cannot get either of the credit cards and the signal/noise ratio isn't very good for them.

+1 ^

While this may be the case - no major hotel program has massively devalued its points in such a drastic way as Hilton has done. Not Marriott, SPG or Hyatt. Not even Wyndham a few years back.

And Hilton has now done it twice - in 2 years.