Is There an Elite Status Level Above Hilton Honors Diamond?
Nov 27, 2003, 4:20 am
#48
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: KLM GD, DL PM, AA LT Plt, Hyatt Diamond, SPG LT Plat, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Interconti Amb/PC Spire, etc.
Posts: 593
Starwood has a non-published "VIP" level, with far greater perks than its Platinum. Likewise, Hyatt has a "Courtesy Card", with better perks than its Diamond. I'd be surprised if Hilton doesn't have its own "super-elite" level...
Nov 27, 2003, 10:25 am
#49
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: CMI
Programs: AA EXP & 2MM, HH DIA, Hertz GLD
Posts: 954
Howdy,
Hilton does not to my knowledge have a super-Diamond level. They should.
28 nights? I could do that on vacations alone.
Hilton should have a serious elite level for serious business travelers. And if they threw in the perks - I'd certainly throw them the business.
I do 200+ nights a year in hotels; additionally - my team stays at the hotel I book - so that's another 2-6 people/rooms I am good for each year. I know I'm not unique - there are thousands of us in exactly the same boat.
What frosts me is that when checking in with my family for a vacation - I get treated the same as some lesiure traveler. 28 stays? Hell - that's a vacation; not business travel.
/whinning off
Keep the faith,
Pakse
p.s. The airlines don't do it - I have never, ever - not been able to upgrade my family to first class.
Hilton does not to my knowledge have a super-Diamond level. They should.
28 nights? I could do that on vacations alone.
Hilton should have a serious elite level for serious business travelers. And if they threw in the perks - I'd certainly throw them the business.
I do 200+ nights a year in hotels; additionally - my team stays at the hotel I book - so that's another 2-6 people/rooms I am good for each year. I know I'm not unique - there are thousands of us in exactly the same boat.
What frosts me is that when checking in with my family for a vacation - I get treated the same as some lesiure traveler. 28 stays? Hell - that's a vacation; not business travel.
/whinning off
Keep the faith,
Pakse
p.s. The airlines don't do it - I have never, ever - not been able to upgrade my family to first class.
Nov 27, 2003, 11:35 am
#50
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA PltMM, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 82
"The airlines don't do it - I have never, ever - not been able to upgrade my family to first class."
As far as I know, the airlines do have similar programs, search for UGS on the Mileage Plus forum (it's their VIP program above 1K). And as just a Platinum on AA, I have been able to upgrade my fiancee every time we've traveled in the past three years (3X a year at least) with either my 500-mile certs or my miles (for international), even when she had no status.
Maybe we travel at more favorable times, but I have been extremely happy with AA.
Sorry for the airline talk on the HHonors forum everybody!
[This message has been edited by wrigleyville (edited Nov 27, 2003).]
As far as I know, the airlines do have similar programs, search for UGS on the Mileage Plus forum (it's their VIP program above 1K). And as just a Platinum on AA, I have been able to upgrade my fiancee every time we've traveled in the past three years (3X a year at least) with either my 500-mile certs or my miles (for international), even when she had no status.
Maybe we travel at more favorable times, but I have been extremely happy with AA.
Sorry for the airline talk on the HHonors forum everybody!
[This message has been edited by wrigleyville (edited Nov 27, 2003).]
Nov 27, 2003, 4:33 pm
#51
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: CMI
Programs: AA EXP & 2MM, HH DIA, Hertz GLD
Posts: 954
Howdy,
I ment what I said, only I didn't mean to start off in the negative.
I was trying to point out that Airlines do indeed offer additional perks to higher level users and even recognize the value of some customers over and above their elite valuation.
Hilton I feel (by the way - I'm biased, recently had a very poor stay) only recognizes you within these very large groupings - and I personally think Diamond is way too big - I wish they would look to encouraging people staying 200+ nights a year.
Sorry if I was confusing
Keep the faith,
Pakse
I ment what I said, only I didn't mean to start off in the negative.
I was trying to point out that Airlines do indeed offer additional perks to higher level users and even recognize the value of some customers over and above their elite valuation.
Hilton I feel (by the way - I'm biased, recently had a very poor stay) only recognizes you within these very large groupings - and I personally think Diamond is way too big - I wish they would look to encouraging people staying 200+ nights a year.
Sorry if I was confusing
Keep the faith,
Pakse
Nov 27, 2003, 4:53 pm
#53
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Siesta Key
Programs: AA EXP-1.6MM, Hilton Diamond, ManU & Chicago Bears #1 Fan
Posts: 9,697
It has been my experiance in life that once you recognize the 200 night a year guest, the 250 night a year guest will be very unhappy that s/he does not get the recognition they deserve.
Nov 27, 2003, 6:54 pm
#55
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: CMI
Programs: AA EXP & 2MM, HH DIA, Hertz GLD
Posts: 954
Howdy,
All I'm trying to say is that Diamond takes very few nights. I think to encourage those of us who are on the road weekly to stay with them more often; they could throw a few perks our way. That would induce me to stay with them more often.
My example was using the airlines - in the case of AA, hitting the top tier is good; but getting over their top published tier is better.
Here's a suggestion - for guests staying more than 120 nights per year, give us 2 electronic certificates each good for 6 nights that allow us to upgrade to the 'best room in the house'. Have them expire in one year and be used at our discretion, on a space avalible basis. This would allow us to book and reserve in advance, say a suite at the drake; while paying for it with a regular award or a published rate.
This would be a huge benefit to me (I like to use my points for personal travel since my employeer does not reimburse me if I use them on the job).
Just a thought - as I think Hilton could do a bit more to encourage some folks to stay more with them.
Keep the faith,
Pakse
All I'm trying to say is that Diamond takes very few nights. I think to encourage those of us who are on the road weekly to stay with them more often; they could throw a few perks our way. That would induce me to stay with them more often.
My example was using the airlines - in the case of AA, hitting the top tier is good; but getting over their top published tier is better.
Here's a suggestion - for guests staying more than 120 nights per year, give us 2 electronic certificates each good for 6 nights that allow us to upgrade to the 'best room in the house'. Have them expire in one year and be used at our discretion, on a space avalible basis. This would allow us to book and reserve in advance, say a suite at the drake; while paying for it with a regular award or a published rate.
This would be a huge benefit to me (I like to use my points for personal travel since my employeer does not reimburse me if I use them on the job).
Just a thought - as I think Hilton could do a bit more to encourage some folks to stay more with them.
Keep the faith,
Pakse
Nov 27, 2003, 10:39 pm
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SNA
Programs: UA Million Mile Nobody, Marriott Platinum Elite, SPG Gold
Posts: 25,228
One possible reason for the different programs for airlines and hotels regarding very frequent travelers could be that airlines get all revenue a ticket generates, where Hilton and others frequently only manage hotels owned by others. Business travelers who stay 200 nights a year frequently do so at the same hotel, or in the same few hotels. Also they tend to be in business areas, rather than resorts or tourist areas. In some cases Hilton only gets a fraction of the room or food revenue, and discounts cut into or eliminate that money. Offering special perks to more frequent travelers would likely have them using those perks at tourist or resort hotels, rather than their business hotels. Those resorts figure why should they offer special services to someone who doesn't give them any extra business. Airlines benefit directly from every happy frequent flyer.
Nov 28, 2003, 7:09 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
Posts: 15,726
I have been a fairly happy HH Diamond for many years but I too am disappointed HH offers no incentives once you reach the 28/70 threshold. Recently rather than go for an additional top level Hyatt, Marriott etc I have been booking Wyndhams and have 24 nights so far this year. No free breakfast or lounges but really great rooms, *FREE*...... broadband, local and long distance telephone, faxes and parking and food/booze goodies etc (some REALLY great rates too). If HH was creative, they could of gotten these stays in many cases.
MisterNice
MisterNice
Nov 30, 2003, 6:44 pm
#59
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: YYZ, YYJ, ZRH
Programs: AC MM
Posts: 430
Thanks to all for the replies and the insight.
I was unaware there was any kind of limit per stay (one poster mentioned 100,000 per stay) - I have checked my statements and on two occasions have been given more than 100,000 points per stay, so I guess they don't enforce that one too strictly.
I'm not complaining - Hilton treats me pretty well, or, to be more accurate, the individual hotels treat me pretty well (I really have never had anything to do with Hilton - never claimed an award, never made a reservation through the main office).
Usually I get my pick of whatever room in the hotel I want to stay in, and the hotels remember what room I prefer and always give me that one. If I am only checking out for a short time (3 to 5 days) they let me leave all my stuff in the room and don't charge me for the room if I am not there. So, like I said, no complaints. I was just curious about whether there was a higher level than Diamond, that's all.
I was unaware there was any kind of limit per stay (one poster mentioned 100,000 per stay) - I have checked my statements and on two occasions have been given more than 100,000 points per stay, so I guess they don't enforce that one too strictly.
I'm not complaining - Hilton treats me pretty well, or, to be more accurate, the individual hotels treat me pretty well (I really have never had anything to do with Hilton - never claimed an award, never made a reservation through the main office).
Usually I get my pick of whatever room in the hotel I want to stay in, and the hotels remember what room I prefer and always give me that one. If I am only checking out for a short time (3 to 5 days) they let me leave all my stuff in the room and don't charge me for the room if I am not there. So, like I said, no complaints. I was just curious about whether there was a higher level than Diamond, that's all.
Nov 30, 2003, 8:35 pm
#60
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: VRB, BOS
Posts: 83
I've stayed over 200 nights this year too. But It was at almost 100+ different hiltons. One week I might hit 7 different hiltons all through the system. The company I work for has the most amount of diamond members over 2000 of us.
I'd like to see a higher step above diamond. We pay full rate last minute. I make diamond in the first month.
it's not a bad idea.
I'd like to see a higher step above diamond. We pay full rate last minute. I make diamond in the first month.
it's not a bad idea.