Another no-warning devaluation
Jun 18, 19, 2:05 am - Wikipost
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Jun 8, 19, 1:07 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 45
Another no-warning devaluation
Some time in the last few days, without warning or notice, Hilton raised the maximum points price of many hotel rooms by 10,000 points per night. After examining prices in several cities, I have concluded that this is the biggest overall devaluation since Hilton introduced dynamic pricing in early 2017. There is a new maximum price of 90,000 points for some hotel rooms that used to be 80,000, and Hilton also reduced the value of points towards standard rooms that cost less than the hotel maximum points by about 5% nearly across the board for the third time since introducing dynamic pricing. I am sick of this behavior. Marriott has mistreated its customers in many ways since October, but at least it gives warning to its customers before decreasing the stored value of their rewards by 5 to 20% overnight.
It was easy to foresee these actions by Hilton as soon as HonorsRepresentative posted on FlyerTalk in June 2017 that points pricing changes would no longer be announced in advance or at all. Hilton has given itself and repeatedly exercised the right to slash the value of points without warning, and its rewards program is no longer one to be trusted. Of course there is nothing we can do to stop Hilton from doing whatever it wants, but I hope that more people realize what is going on and that thinking of Hilton gives people negative feelings as it has for me for more than a year. While I continue to monitor points pricing, I voted with my feet many months ago, spent nearly all of my points, cut my Hilton stays to less than a fourth of my previous volume, and wrote Hilton to tell them why.
As you well know, Hilton probably could not care less about me, but I write here to inform people of how Hilton is treating its customers, so perhaps more people will understand the extent to which Hilton can and will screw over its customers without warning or even notice at any time, and hopefully this understanding will lead to Hilton increasingly being properly regarded as an untrustworthy company. I wish you all success in getting the best values that you can.
It was easy to foresee these actions by Hilton as soon as HonorsRepresentative posted on FlyerTalk in June 2017 that points pricing changes would no longer be announced in advance or at all. Hilton has given itself and repeatedly exercised the right to slash the value of points without warning, and its rewards program is no longer one to be trusted. Of course there is nothing we can do to stop Hilton from doing whatever it wants, but I hope that more people realize what is going on and that thinking of Hilton gives people negative feelings as it has for me for more than a year. While I continue to monitor points pricing, I voted with my feet many months ago, spent nearly all of my points, cut my Hilton stays to less than a fourth of my previous volume, and wrote Hilton to tell them why.
As you well know, Hilton probably could not care less about me, but I write here to inform people of how Hilton is treating its customers, so perhaps more people will understand the extent to which Hilton can and will screw over its customers without warning or even notice at any time, and hopefully this understanding will lead to Hilton increasingly being properly regarded as an untrustworthy company. I wish you all success in getting the best values that you can.
Jun 8, 19, 1:25 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,923
I would suggest that if you are already redeeming points at the maximum level - you are probably not overly concerned with the "value" of the points
At least as in value defined as using the lowest number of points possible. Value might be better defined by a comparison to the monetary cost of booking the same room at the same time...and by what not paying monetary price allows you to instead use those funds for.
And, IMO, "storing" large balances of hotel points is never a good idea.
At least as in value defined as using the lowest number of points possible. Value might be better defined by a comparison to the monetary cost of booking the same room at the same time...and by what not paying monetary price allows you to instead use those funds for.
And, IMO, "storing" large balances of hotel points is never a good idea.
Jun 8, 19, 1:37 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: HH Diamond, RR Platinum
Posts: 657
Originally Posted by bse118
I would suggest that if you are already redeeming points at the maximum level - you are probably not overly concerned with the "value" of the points
At least as in value defined as using the lowest number of points possible. Value might be better defined by a comparison to the monetary cost of booking the same room at the same time...and by what not paying monetary price allows you to instead use those funds for.
And, IMO, "storing" large balances of hotel points is never a good idea.
At least as in value defined as using the lowest number of points possible. Value might be better defined by a comparison to the monetary cost of booking the same room at the same time...and by what not paying monetary price allows you to instead use those funds for.
And, IMO, "storing" large balances of hotel points is never a good idea.
Jun 8, 19, 2:24 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Gold, TK E+, IB+, VS FC, Hyatt Globalist, MR Plat Prem, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 8,163
The concept isn't "news".
IMO if you want to draw attention to the matter you need to be specific about which hotels now cost more. It's relatively easy to keep track of the Conrad Maldives at 95K and the former sweetspots at 5-10K that are rapidly being devalued to 20K and higher.
But a vague "examining several cities" doesn't help anybody. So if you just want to rant that's your own business. If you want to help other people you need to be specific about which hotels have definitely blown though their former cap. Otherwise Hilton win the day with their "people won't really notice"...
IMO if you want to draw attention to the matter you need to be specific about which hotels now cost more. It's relatively easy to keep track of the Conrad Maldives at 95K and the former sweetspots at 5-10K that are rapidly being devalued to 20K and higher.
But a vague "examining several cities" doesn't help anybody. So if you just want to rant that's your own business. If you want to help other people you need to be specific about which hotels have definitely blown though their former cap. Otherwise Hilton win the day with their "people won't really notice"...
Jun 8, 19, 2:49 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,967
DT Wroclaw now 30k from 20k. Far beyond the typical €60 I often pay to stay there.
Hilton Warsaw now 50k.
Vienna has lost its 10k hotel, now the HGI South is 20k.
So the sweet spots are once again being culled as we move to the fixed value of a point.
Hilton Warsaw now 50k.
Vienna has lost its 10k hotel, now the HGI South is 20k.
So the sweet spots are once again being culled as we move to the fixed value of a point.
Jun 8, 19, 5:35 am
#10
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK, EWR)
Programs: Delta Gold, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott/Hilton Gold, AMEX Membership Rewards
Posts: 1,900
The inevitable consequence of 160,000 points sales for $800 and welcome bonuses for several credit cards totaling over 300,000 points as well as double points on stays and generous points on everyday spend.
Jun 8, 19, 6:33 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA,CX, BA, Priority Club, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 1,382
Originally Posted by hugolover
DT Wroclaw now 30k from 20k. Far beyond the typical €60 I often pay to stay there.
Hilton Warsaw now 50k.
So the sweet spots are once again being culled as we move to the fixed value of a point.
Hilton Warsaw now 50k.
So the sweet spots are once again being culled as we move to the fixed value of a point.
So, I won't say it's increase ,it's more dynamic.
Jun 8, 19, 7:05 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,967
Originally Posted by Fly2Where
To balance out, the dates I search in 2020 weekend, DT Warsaw was dropped to 14K, and Hilton Warsaw dropped to 24K.
So, I won't say it's increase ,it's more dynamic.
So, I won't say it's increase ,it's more dynamic.
I’ve seen DT Warsaw as low as 12k. Not a surprise when rates can be as low as €30. And the Hilton also with such numbers because based on the new system even at 40k or 30k it was too high in points on some dates.
Hence it’s incorrect to say it hasn’t increased. The new upper limit is 50k for the Hilton. A truly comical rate for that hotel in a city like Warsaw.
Its increased.
Jun 8, 19, 9:41 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA,CX, BA, Priority Club, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 1,382
Originally Posted by hugolover
That’s not new. It’s an increase.
I’ve seen DT Warsaw as low as 12k. Not a surprise when rates can be as low as €30. And the Hilton also with such numbers because based on the new system even at 40k or 30k it was too high in points on some dates.
Hence it’s incorrect to say it hasn’t increased. The new upper limit is 50k for the Hilton. A truly comical rate for that hotel in a city like Warsaw.
Its increased.
