Is this what they call first world problems?

+1 ^. I was 'fortunate' enough to receive the headphones and 75,000 points for my Lifetime Diamond gift - no complaints on my part whatsoever about the generosity of what was offered.

Maybe I should have complained that my own gift wasn't sufficient recognition for my 2,500+ paid Hilton nights (better gifts for more nights). :rolleyes:

For me Lifetime Diamond is a reward in itself. At some properties (most recently last month at Conrad Manila) the recognition and treatment I have received as Lifetime Diamond, as opposed to regular Diamond, has been exceptional.

Having qualified in her own right we are looking forward to receipt of Mrs PtF's own Lifetime package. :)

When the vast majority of us started staying at Hilton, there was no lifetime diamond program. That meant that as soon as we retired or had a slowdown in work travel...POOF! all of our diamond benefits evaporated the next year. Hilton was under no obligation to create a new lifetime diamond tier, and frankly, we are quite fortunate that they did! Now we can finally get off the status requalification treadmill at some point.


As for the grumblings of some who demand or desire additional entitlements/benefits from the program, I will give the same advice I give to anyone in the loyalty game: You are only entitled to what your loyalty program terms provide...nothing more, nothing less. Hilton added a lifetime diamond tier, guaranteeing lifetime diamond benefits (comp. breakfasts, room upgrades, bonus points, etc.) In my opinion, this is more than I ever expected when I first started staying with Hilton, as there was no lifetime diamond program. On top of this, they're offering 75,000 points or a $100 gift card...again, going above and beyond what their own terms and conditions require. Personally, I am quite pleased and pleasantly surprised. The program works for me. If, however, you are unsatisfied, you can take your business elsewhere. You can become a lifetime Platinum with Marriott with 750 stays...and then I'm sure Marriott will give you 75,000 points and a $100 gift card to welcome you to your newly acquired lifetime Platinum status ;)



This is an often under reported benefit of all the points we acquire with Hilton, frequently with OPM. In the last few years, I haven't paid for over 19 nights at really nice Hilton properties (e.g. WA Rome Cavalieri), and have gotten upgraded on every one of my reward stays. Thanks, Hilton :)

I have stayed with my cable company for over 3000 nights and my reward is I am paying double of that of a new customer. LOL.

But seriously the way that company works now is all about profit. It is not about doing the right thing or reward loyalty. If you are staying with them all these time.. a little gift or a big gift are not going to make any difference. I am actually surprise that there are actual gifts. I thought they will just send you a thank you note and that's about it.

+1. That's the reward right there. There was nothing else in being among the first of the Lifetime Diamond club that was more important or truly a gift, than lifetime status as a Diamond.

Sure the 100,000 points, the headphones (never use), $100 gift card (gave away) were some nice extra tokens, but that's all they were.

Welcome to Lifetime Diamond.

For those wondering about the delay and the "duplicate" Lifetime Diamond metal card... they dropped one of the "H's" in HHonors. Mine is materially different in that the word "Lifetime" on my original Lifetime Diamond card was stamped all the way through the card, removing the metal which comprises the letters.

As for the 100,000 points, I think that some of the "charter" (first) Lifetime Diamond members received that gift because they were the first. The charter members also received both the $100 gift card and the headphones.

Yes, with the new card, if you look it straight on, you don't see anything except the logo and your name. It's not till you look at it on an angle that you see LD.

So 2 years ago, Hilton gave 100,000 points AND Headphones AND $100.
Now it's 75,000 points OR $100.
Shame on you newcomers to feel miffed at the devaluation in your recognition - you should feel Lucky that after decades and over 1,000 nights that they gave you any thought at all.

I thought the only folks who got the 100K points were outside North America?

I thought the main difference for those of us in US being HH swapped out the headphones with a HH LTD luggage tag. The HH LTD card and choice of other gift card and bag options remain the same, unless I was not paying close enough attention.

I understand some Diamond folks got an offer for 100K points to re-qualify but do not recall LTD getting this offer?

Like many posting in this thread, I too have spent a few nights in HH hotels and did not receive the offer for 100K points.

I equated this to Dish and Directv both giving better offers to switch than to remain loyal to them.

Just a matter of perspective.

If you were involved in a cold war mentality with hotel chains like I choose to be, you would measure everything very careful to come out as far ahead as possible. From this perspective, they can't really hurt you with disappointment.

If you are disappointed, it is because you got suckered by the BS concept that they give a care.

Exactly right. Fight back. Get bang for your buck.

Not sure as I wasn't one of the Lucky few who were granted LD originally. Just quoting geekboy.

100k was NOT something that US original members got. It was only headphones and the $100 Gift Card.

As for the rest of the whining: The average lifetime Diamond that is minted today, stayed a minimum of 7 years, if not 10 or 20 with no expectation whatsoever of getting any Lifetime status. All thsi talk of "I expect", "I earned", etc are literally worthless as you never expected anything before nor had you earned anything before.

Yes hfly - what you said - all anyone should expect is what the program is when they sign up! Just ask any Flying Colonel or Lifetime Medallion on Delta.

I have used me headphones maybe twice, they are in a drawer with another ten sets. I have no idea what I did with the gift card, we don't shop at Bloomingdales. Stop whining.

Why does it matter if it is OPM that paid for the room? It is my body away from home in a strange bed away from my loved ones.