Official Honors FlyerTalk Ambassador
Dec 9, 2014, 7:49 pm
#676
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
I can tell you why, some "genius" at Hilton looked at all of those nickels and dimes being collected by the airlines and said, "hey, why can't we do that?"
What that braintrust did not see is when the airlines were taxing their casual travelers, they actually enhanced the service to their best customers with better seats/food/booze/free wifi service/upgrades and they did not charge their best customers luggage fees.
This is pure crap.
What that braintrust did not see is when the airlines were taxing their casual travelers, they actually enhanced the service to their best customers with better seats/food/booze/free wifi service/upgrades and they did not charge their best customers luggage fees.
This is pure crap.
Hilton is probably betting that most of its "best customers" are going to pass this internet fee through to their employers/clients. Given that said customers have been doing this for decades with $300 rates for dumpy rooms, $5 cans of coke, $30 room service burgers, and $20 shirt laundry, they probably have a point.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not being an apologist at all. I travel 50% for leisure and 50% for an employer that doesn't allow for much excess spending, so these fees hit close to home and I'll personally push back. But I'm just saying, for a chain that has long been focused squarely on the traditional "business traveler", I can't say that this surprises me in the least.
Dec 10, 2014, 9:11 am
#678
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: AAdvantage EXPLAT, Hilton Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Citi Exec MC, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,443
Free LTE tethering and massive data plans have largely made hotel wifi irrelevant to me. Sometimes I actually prefer the cheaper hotels as they would have coin operated laundry machines available which I really appreciate.
To me, especially when I'm just looking to shower and sleep, a travelodge and a Hilton do the exact same thing, except the travelodge does it way cheaper.
To me, especially when I'm just looking to shower and sleep, a travelodge and a Hilton do the exact same thing, except the travelodge does it way cheaper.
Dec 10, 2014, 2:50 pm
#679
Company Representative - Honors by Hilton
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: Hilton Honors
Posts: 1,516
Hi all,
Just wanted to let you know that I am collecting your feedback re: Tiered Internet each day and regularly sharing with my team. I will continue to post any new updates I receive!
Thanks,
Erin
Just wanted to let you know that I am collecting your feedback re: Tiered Internet each day and regularly sharing with my team. I will continue to post any new updates I receive!
Thanks,
Erin
Dec 12, 2014, 12:02 pm
#680
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: AA Plat,AS MVP Gold, Hilton Gold, Accor Plat, Amtrak(all routes, VIA same, AUS 90%)
Posts: 382
My Gratitude
To All Hilton staff, Erin as well(while you could not help with the last PM request, many thanks for trying!), too numerous to mention but especially exec lounge at Conrad Tokyo, certain management at Grand Waikikian but
most of all to customer care folks. My mom, bless her, always said, "Ask nice, then ask twice(still nice)."
When the ball is dropped, Hilton, my home away from home is quick to pick it up-service recovery at Hilton is to be emulated by all in the hospitality business. Thanks again!
most of all to customer care folks. My mom, bless her, always said, "Ask nice, then ask twice(still nice)."
When the ball is dropped, Hilton, my home away from home is quick to pick it up-service recovery at Hilton is to be emulated by all in the hospitality business. Thanks again!
Dec 12, 2014, 12:07 pm
#681
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 35,555
Dec 12, 2014, 12:32 pm
#682
Company Representative - Honors by Hilton
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: Hilton Honors
Posts: 1,516
To All Hilton staff, Erin as well(while you could not help with the last PM request, many thanks for trying!), too numerous to mention but especially exec lounge at Conrad Tokyo, certain management at Grand Waikikian but
most of all to customer care folks. My mom, bless her, always said, "Ask nice, then ask twice(still nice)."
When the ball is dropped, Hilton, my home away from home is quick to pick it up-service recovery at Hilton is to be emulated by all in the hospitality business. Thanks again!
most of all to customer care folks. My mom, bless her, always said, "Ask nice, then ask twice(still nice)."
When the ball is dropped, Hilton, my home away from home is quick to pick it up-service recovery at Hilton is to be emulated by all in the hospitality business. Thanks again!
Cheers,
Erin
Dec 12, 2014, 3:53 pm
#683
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: CONUS
Programs: HHonors, United, Delta
Posts: 828
Erin,
Have you gotten any feedback from the-powers-that-be on Lifetime Diamond or some sort of "retirement" benefit from HHonors?
I'm a longtime actual-stay Diamond (not a credit card one), and I've made status again for next year already... But my travel for work is sunsetting. I look forward to travel just on my own without it being a work trip, but once I lose Diamond and am dumped unglamously to nothing-status, I guess I don't see any reason to stay loyal to any chain.
For illustration, on airlines, I used to be United Gold, and went out of my way to book only that brand. Now that my points are used up, I'm not going to make status with them anymore (but still fly a decent amount), I just book whatever's convenient / cheapest / best for that particular trip.
I imagine hotels will be the same way for me in a year or so. Right now, if I'm spending a week in Hawaii with my family, darn betcha I'll go out of my way to be at the Embassy Suites Beachwalk. But without some sort of lifetime benefit, I suppose I'll look into other brands in the area.
Any thoughts or whispers of promise for those that have been loyal to the program all these years that want to stick with it in retirement?
TDM
PS: yes, I know, I could just lean on my credit card. Kinda lame though.
Have you gotten any feedback from the-powers-that-be on Lifetime Diamond or some sort of "retirement" benefit from HHonors?
I'm a longtime actual-stay Diamond (not a credit card one), and I've made status again for next year already... But my travel for work is sunsetting. I look forward to travel just on my own without it being a work trip, but once I lose Diamond and am dumped unglamously to nothing-status, I guess I don't see any reason to stay loyal to any chain.
For illustration, on airlines, I used to be United Gold, and went out of my way to book only that brand. Now that my points are used up, I'm not going to make status with them anymore (but still fly a decent amount), I just book whatever's convenient / cheapest / best for that particular trip.
I imagine hotels will be the same way for me in a year or so. Right now, if I'm spending a week in Hawaii with my family, darn betcha I'll go out of my way to be at the Embassy Suites Beachwalk. But without some sort of lifetime benefit, I suppose I'll look into other brands in the area.
Any thoughts or whispers of promise for those that have been loyal to the program all these years that want to stick with it in retirement?
TDM
PS: yes, I know, I could just lean on my credit card. Kinda lame though.
Erin,
There's been a number of folks chiming in that this is a request we'd like addressed: have you heard any feedback, pro, con or otherwise?
Thanks!
TDM
Dec 16, 2014, 8:17 pm
#686
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,700
Dec 17, 2014, 9:08 am
#687
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: CONUS
Programs: HHonors, United, Delta
Posts: 828
Thanks for the update and listening!
Hope I get the email and actually qualify for this thing!
TDM
Dec 17, 2014, 2:35 pm
#688
Company Representative - Honors by Hilton
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: Hilton Honors
Posts: 1,516
Dec 23, 2014, 2:06 pm
#689
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SFO / Hawaii / Northern MN
Programs: Catered by me instead of FBO (semi retired)
Posts: 921
Just got told by the Bloomington Hilton that they didn't upgrade me because I didn't select it as an option for 15.00 night to an executive room, and since I selected a room on check online I wasn't eligible for an upgrade. Is this correct? Also hold time greater than 37 minutes.
Dec 23, 2014, 2:53 pm
#690
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: JNU
Programs: HH D, AS MM/MVPG for life/AL, Awesome Wipes VIP Club, NEXUS, Hertz 5-Star Gold
Posts: 2,893
Just got told by the Bloomington Hilton that they didn't upgrade me because I didn't select it as an option for 15.00 night to an executive room, and since I selected a room on check online I wasn't eligible for an upgrade. Is this correct? Also hold time greater than 37 minutes.
The iPhone app online check-in process specifically has a statement assuring the customer that selecting a room via the online process will in no way jeopardize the chance for an upgrade - if it's available when you arrive at the hotel, you'll get it. I've also seen that assurance stated in this thread by Erin.
The truth is out there somewhere. Can someone tell us exactly where?
Last edited by dave1013; Dec 23, 2014 at 2:54 pm Reason: thread assurance