2013 Changes to HH Reward Stays, new cat., more pts needed
#991
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,904
*I bought an unlocked "Motorola" cell phone in Florida. Chinese was the default language on it and when I tried to get it changed to English, and have Hebrew fonts put in it in a shop in Boston, I was told that it was a knock-off, manufactured in China, and could not download diddly.
I went to a second shop in DC, was told the same thing, and then I contacted Amex to get my money refunded. Amex investigated, saw that I had signed for it, and refused my refund. I spoke to them again, said I never denied signing for it, but it was not a real Motorola. I suggested that they send someone to this shop to see if he gets the real thing or a knock-off. Finally, after about 4 months, the charge was dropped.
*I made a pre-paid reservation in Israel with Avis in MXP. I paid for LDW but was told that if I want "Super CDW" I would have to get it in MXP. If I did not get it, I would be liable for the first 300 Euros in damage.
When I got to MXP I was given a contract which said that I was being given the Super CDW at no charge. About a month later, I was charged 1000 Euros for damage to the car (Avis MXP claimed there was a chip in the windshield). I contested it with MasterCard and was told that they have an agreement with Avis that they will honor all charges.
I went to the Avis office in Tel Aviv where I made the rental and said that there was no damage that I saw, if there had been it would have been covered by the "Super CDW" which my contract says I was given at no charge, and even if I did not have that "Super CDW" I was only liable for the first 300 Euros.
Avis-Tel Aviv agreed to investigate it, found that the previous renter had been charged the same 1000 Euros for the chip in the windshield (which, if it existed, must have been microscopic) but that Avis-MXP refused their request to credit my MasterCard. Instead, Avis-Tel Aviv gave me the 1000 Euros in Israeli shekels in cash.
#992
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 35,555
(My employer is self insured so I quit keeping up with this, I also believe my USAA auto insurance covers the deductable)
#993
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,905
1. It depends on which insurance coverage you have. Amex basic (secondary) insurance is not as comprehensive as one might assume (ie. read the fine print - all of it). However, Amex's Premium version of Car Rental Insurance acts as Primary coverage, and is much more comprehensive (and has no deductible, to boot).
2. I believe Israel is one of those countries that is excluded from both coverages.
#994
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA LT PLT; HH Diamond; AS 75K
Posts: 2,877
Don't rely on that. Two examples:
*I bought an unlocked "Motorola" cell phone in Florida. Chinese was the default language on it and when I tried to get it changed to English, and have Hebrew fonts put in it in a shop in Boston, I was told that it was a knock-off, manufactured in China, and could not download diddly.
I went to a second shop in DC, was told the same thing, and then I contacted Amex to get my money refunded. Amex investigated, saw that I had signed for it, and refused my refund. I spoke to them again, said I never denied signing for it, but it was not a real Motorola. I suggested that they send someone to this shop to see if he gets the real thing or a knock-off. Finally, after about 4 months, the charge was dropped.
*I made a pre-paid reservation in Israel with Avis in MXP. I paid for LDW but was told that if I want "Super CDW" I would have to get it in MXP. If I did not get it, I would be liable for the first 300 Euros in damage.
When I got to MXP I was given a contract which said that I was being given the Super CDW at no charge. About a month later, I was charged 1000 Euros for damage to the car (Avis MXP claimed there was a chip in the windshield). I contested it with MasterCard and was told that they have an agreement with Avis that they will honor all charges.
I went to the Avis office in Tel Aviv where I made the rental and said that there was no damage that I saw, if there had been it would have been covered by the "Super CDW" which my contract says I was given at no charge, and even if I did not have that "Super CDW" I was only liable for the first 300 Euros.
Avis-Tel Aviv agreed to investigate it, found that the previous renter had been charged the same 1000 Euros for the chip in the windshield (which, if it existed, must have been microscopic) but that Avis-MXP refused their request to credit my MasterCard. Instead, Avis-Tel Aviv gave me the 1000 Euros in Israeli shekels in cash.
*I bought an unlocked "Motorola" cell phone in Florida. Chinese was the default language on it and when I tried to get it changed to English, and have Hebrew fonts put in it in a shop in Boston, I was told that it was a knock-off, manufactured in China, and could not download diddly.
I went to a second shop in DC, was told the same thing, and then I contacted Amex to get my money refunded. Amex investigated, saw that I had signed for it, and refused my refund. I spoke to them again, said I never denied signing for it, but it was not a real Motorola. I suggested that they send someone to this shop to see if he gets the real thing or a knock-off. Finally, after about 4 months, the charge was dropped.
*I made a pre-paid reservation in Israel with Avis in MXP. I paid for LDW but was told that if I want "Super CDW" I would have to get it in MXP. If I did not get it, I would be liable for the first 300 Euros in damage.
When I got to MXP I was given a contract which said that I was being given the Super CDW at no charge. About a month later, I was charged 1000 Euros for damage to the car (Avis MXP claimed there was a chip in the windshield). I contested it with MasterCard and was told that they have an agreement with Avis that they will honor all charges.
I went to the Avis office in Tel Aviv where I made the rental and said that there was no damage that I saw, if there had been it would have been covered by the "Super CDW" which my contract says I was given at no charge, and even if I did not have that "Super CDW" I was only liable for the first 300 Euros.
Avis-Tel Aviv agreed to investigate it, found that the previous renter had been charged the same 1000 Euros for the chip in the windshield (which, if it existed, must have been microscopic) but that Avis-MXP refused their request to credit my MasterCard. Instead, Avis-Tel Aviv gave me the 1000 Euros in Israeli shekels in cash.
#995
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Lots, some no/low status some high status, can't be bothered to list them :-)
Posts: 1,951
Some food at the bar is a bit more than that but don't forget to add 18% tax & service charge on top.
#996
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,905
Then you should have read the OP that was quoted prior to this, within said post. It was refuting the notion that a CC auth could be easily dropped when taken out by an HH property, which related to an earlier post.
#999
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,904
I have a US-issued AMEX but because I do not live in the States the insurance does not cover me.
#1000
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: UA nothing (former multi-year CO Platinum), AA 1M Gold, HH Diamond, National Executive
Posts: 449
Does anybody have a listing of the new hotels levels sorted by category (e.g. Cat 10's, then cat 9's, etc.)?
#1001
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,689
You might check the verbiage of your reward reservation (all might be different and I don't have one here in front of me), I'm not sure exactly what the fine print says, but it may answer your questions/issues.
#1002
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Programs: All major programs
Posts: 1,403
Luxury Beach Hilton Property
In light of the devaluation, I am considering making a future award booking preferably on a luxury beach property either in continental USA or somewhere not too far away (e.g. Caribbean). Can somebody pls suggest a few high end HH properties (and which months to go) that I can consider? I am already considering Hilton Bentley Miami beach. TIA!
Last edited by gv111; Mar 18, 2013 at 8:31 pm
#1003
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London
Posts: 2,385
In light of the devaluation, I am considering making a future award booking preferably on a luxury beach property either in continental USA or somewhere not too far away (e.g. Caribbean). Can somebody pls suggest a few high end HH properties (and which months to go) that I can consider? I am already considering Hilton Bentley Miami beach. TIA!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...r-old-mom.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...ties-stay.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...worldwide.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...-property.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...em-points.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...caribbean.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...an-hotels.html
#1004
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,177
1000 posts and one week to go to the changes coming into effect! I must get my new year's eve booked, the London Hilton on Park Lane is calling...
#1005
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: MIA
Programs: AA PLT 2mm SPG Gold HH Diamond
Posts: 740
I still have not been notified by Hilton. I am sure I am not alone.