1yr of diamond....0 upgrades, but got some free water bottles
Dec 18, 2018, 3:01 pm
#31
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Atlanta, Malaga
Programs: DL DIA, BA Gold
Posts: 124
I realize I am not a full time professional traveler, but I did 70 nights over 38 stays with Hilton this year. I had diamond status carry over from last year as well so I just hit the 1yr mark with Hilton as a Diamond member.
Now, in fairness I am a business traveler most of the time and as such do not usually do luxury or resort properties. Most of my stays are in full-service Hiltons, Embassy Suites, etc. Importantly, I also rarely use executive lounges as I am always out for dinner meetings and drinks. So perhaps if I stayed at more luxury focused properties or had more down time in hotels I would notice a difference.....
But that being said, I have not noticed a difference between having no status and being diamond other than two free water bottles.
1. About 70% of properties do not offer a free snack; just the water bottles
2. The reservation guarantee is a joke because of the lead-time that you need (48hrs)
3. I have never gotten a single upgrade over these 38 stays
4. Most properties do not even acknowledge you are a diamond
5. Many properties do not have diamond parking
6. Late checkout is about a 20% success rate even as a diamond - ridiculous
I am not sure if I have just been unlucky or not, but I honestly don't value diamond status at all. This is probably all old-hat complaints to most of you, but as someone who is a relatively new diamond I expected more. I am considering switching to SPG to see what the other side feels like.
Now, in fairness I am a business traveler most of the time and as such do not usually do luxury or resort properties. Most of my stays are in full-service Hiltons, Embassy Suites, etc. Importantly, I also rarely use executive lounges as I am always out for dinner meetings and drinks. So perhaps if I stayed at more luxury focused properties or had more down time in hotels I would notice a difference.....
But that being said, I have not noticed a difference between having no status and being diamond other than two free water bottles.
1. About 70% of properties do not offer a free snack; just the water bottles
2. The reservation guarantee is a joke because of the lead-time that you need (48hrs)
3. I have never gotten a single upgrade over these 38 stays
4. Most properties do not even acknowledge you are a diamond
5. Many properties do not have diamond parking
6. Late checkout is about a 20% success rate even as a diamond - ridiculous
I am not sure if I have just been unlucky or not, but I honestly don't value diamond status at all. This is probably all old-hat complaints to most of you, but as someone who is a relatively new diamond I expected more. I am considering switching to SPG to see what the other side feels like.
Also on the subject I did notice a lot of European Hiltons now specifying in the rate when you book "no breakfast" I hope this doesn't mean if you book and are Diamond you get no breakfast benefit!
Last edited by jtatlanta; Dec 18, 2018 at 3:07 pm
Dec 18, 2018, 3:46 pm
#32
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Chicago Western Suburbs
Programs: HH Lifetime Diamond, AA Lifetime Plat
Posts: 375
Lifetime Diamond here. Maybe it's just me, but I think I have parlayed the Lifetime status into more upgrades. Of course, the frequency rule always applies. The more times I stay at the same property, the more times I get upgraded. Second stay at one Hilton I got a suite upgrade. Next time I checked in, I mentioned how awesome my room was on my last stay and ask if by chance that same room or equivalent is available. Unless the property is sold out, this works more times than not. Best upgrade so far was in Cleveland where I got a huge suite with a 75" HD tv in the living room!
Dec 18, 2018, 4:27 pm
#33
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: HH Diamond, VA Platinum
Posts: 259
Staff can tell an earned diamond from a credit card diamond so if a hotel does not give out many upgrades it is due to hotel policy not because someone who decides to pay to receive diamond benefits. Staying on certain nights when hotels may have many regular guests staying or booking low rates can hurt your chances.
Dec 18, 2018, 6:59 pm
#35
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 611
Completely agree with the OP.
One time when I was feeling particularly disappointed with the lack of benefits and upgrades, I did check for upgrade possibilities before arriving and there were at least 2 categories of rooms available above mine booked. I mentioned this nicely at checkin, and was told that they won't upgrade me even if the rooms are available. I asked to speak to a manager, and showed the available rooms, which didn't matter to him. He was polite, but just refused no matter what. I ended up extremely frustrated, and asked for a free cancellation due to the service received on checkin which I was given. I then went to a Marriott property.
Hilton Diamond stinks for most US business travelers, but please stay on it and don't jump to the other brands!
One time when I was feeling particularly disappointed with the lack of benefits and upgrades, I did check for upgrade possibilities before arriving and there were at least 2 categories of rooms available above mine booked. I mentioned this nicely at checkin, and was told that they won't upgrade me even if the rooms are available. I asked to speak to a manager, and showed the available rooms, which didn't matter to him. He was polite, but just refused no matter what. I ended up extremely frustrated, and asked for a free cancellation due to the service received on checkin which I was given. I then went to a Marriott property.
Hilton Diamond stinks for most US business travelers, but please stay on it and don't jump to the other brands!
Dec 19, 2018, 8:01 am
#36
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
I usually stay at HGI or HI, so maybe that is the difference. For upgrade, I always ask for a view of the beach no matter where I am staying. About half the time they will say, "Let me see what I can do" and I get a better room.
Same for late checkout. I will ask if I can and they will ask now long I need. I will say, "How about 7 a.m. tomorrow?" I will get a chuckle but it starts the negotiation. I have also found that if I say a time in fifteen minute intervals it helps. If I need a 2 p.m. I might say I have to be on the road and 2:15 could I get a 2:15. I don't know if helps, but it seems to.
Same for late checkout. I will ask if I can and they will ask now long I need. I will say, "How about 7 a.m. tomorrow?" I will get a chuckle but it starts the negotiation. I have also found that if I say a time in fifteen minute intervals it helps. If I need a 2 p.m. I might say I have to be on the road and 2:15 could I get a 2:15. I don't know if helps, but it seems to.
Dec 19, 2018, 10:43 am
#37
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 170
Dec 20, 2018, 8:22 am
#38
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 246
Staff can tell an earned diamond from a credit card diamond so if a hotel does not give out many upgrades it is due to hotel policy not because someone who decides to pay to receive diamond benefits. Staying on certain nights when hotels may have many regular guests staying or booking low rates can hurt your chances.
Dec 20, 2018, 8:27 am
#39
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 246
Completely agree with the OP.
One time when I was feeling particularly disappointed with the lack of benefits and upgrades, I did check for upgrade possibilities before arriving and there were at least 2 categories of rooms available above mine booked. I mentioned this nicely at checkin, and was told that they won't upgrade me even if the rooms are available. I asked to speak to a manager, and showed the available rooms, which didn't matter to him. He was polite, but just refused no matter what. I ended up extremely frustrated, and asked for a free cancellation due to the service received on checkin which I was given. I then went to a Marriott property.
Hilton Diamond stinks for most US business travelers, but please stay on it and don't jump to the other brands!
One time when I was feeling particularly disappointed with the lack of benefits and upgrades, I did check for upgrade possibilities before arriving and there were at least 2 categories of rooms available above mine booked. I mentioned this nicely at checkin, and was told that they won't upgrade me even if the rooms are available. I asked to speak to a manager, and showed the available rooms, which didn't matter to him. He was polite, but just refused no matter what. I ended up extremely frustrated, and asked for a free cancellation due to the service received on checkin which I was given. I then went to a Marriott property.
Hilton Diamond stinks for most US business travelers, but please stay on it and don't jump to the other brands!
Dec 20, 2018, 8:58 am
#40
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol, UK
Programs: HH D, Rad VIP, Marriott G
Posts: 5,357
Some other factors that I personally (anecdotally) feel also affect upgrades:
-rate that one has booked, I find that if I book a heavily discounted rate my chances for upgrade are lower or at least later than other diamonds staying at the properties I frequent. (UK mostly).
-additional spend (for repeat guests at hotels)...if you book the lowest rate and don't spend anything at all at the hotel, I can also understand why they might upgrade a flex booking diamond that also always buys a meal or drink in the bar each time over me...makes financial sense but of course we don't like it if we are the guest that doesn't spend and was frugal with our money.
-management style: some hotels will always be better giving upgrades than others nearby. Try to find the good ones and reward them with your custom but also with some kind words, reviews and spend if you can. What goes around comes around.
-a benefit not mentioned by the OP is also the general guarantee that they won't want to walk a diamond, so if plans delay you or you know the hotel is full, you can at least guarantee you'll get a room (or get some benefits if they have given it away).
-time lost: I do love OLCI as it allows me to just show up, say my name and get my room key and go...instead of having the 'breakfast is from, the elevators are...story line each time'. while not a status benefit, I do find the keycard is usually waiting for me and off I go as a valued guest...(so compared to no status as OP mentioned).
Safe travels.
-rate that one has booked, I find that if I book a heavily discounted rate my chances for upgrade are lower or at least later than other diamonds staying at the properties I frequent. (UK mostly).
-additional spend (for repeat guests at hotels)...if you book the lowest rate and don't spend anything at all at the hotel, I can also understand why they might upgrade a flex booking diamond that also always buys a meal or drink in the bar each time over me...makes financial sense but of course we don't like it if we are the guest that doesn't spend and was frugal with our money.
-management style: some hotels will always be better giving upgrades than others nearby. Try to find the good ones and reward them with your custom but also with some kind words, reviews and spend if you can. What goes around comes around.
-a benefit not mentioned by the OP is also the general guarantee that they won't want to walk a diamond, so if plans delay you or you know the hotel is full, you can at least guarantee you'll get a room (or get some benefits if they have given it away).
-time lost: I do love OLCI as it allows me to just show up, say my name and get my room key and go...instead of having the 'breakfast is from, the elevators are...story line each time'. while not a status benefit, I do find the keycard is usually waiting for me and off I go as a valued guest...(so compared to no status as OP mentioned).
Safe travels.
Dec 20, 2018, 9:13 am
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: STL
Programs: AA 2MM, AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,966
Other factors that I find influence upgrades -
- Time of checking in - If I check in at 11 PM, the chance of a walk-in wanting to rent a suite are much less.
- Length of stay - it is much harder to get an upgrade for a 7 night stay than a 1 night stay, because someone might want that suite and book it later in that week.
- I ask for an upgrade when I make the reservation.
- At check-in, I politely ask if they were able to clear an upgrade for me. Sometimes, they will say no, but let me check, then find a nice upgrade. Again, this works best if checking in late for a short stay.
I get upgraded about half of the time that expecting a possible upgrade is reasonable in the U.S., and I can't remember the last time I wasn't upgraded outside the U.S.
- Time of checking in - If I check in at 11 PM, the chance of a walk-in wanting to rent a suite are much less.
- Length of stay - it is much harder to get an upgrade for a 7 night stay than a 1 night stay, because someone might want that suite and book it later in that week.
- I ask for an upgrade when I make the reservation.
- At check-in, I politely ask if they were able to clear an upgrade for me. Sometimes, they will say no, but let me check, then find a nice upgrade. Again, this works best if checking in late for a short stay.
I get upgraded about half of the time that expecting a possible upgrade is reasonable in the U.S., and I can't remember the last time I wasn't upgraded outside the U.S.