Hilton Honors Gold VIP Status Short Cuts: Fast Track, Instant, Challenges & Comps
Dec 4, 2012, 1:49 pm
#1501
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Join Date: Nov 2004
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Dec 4, 2012, 7:54 pm
#1502
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
Why jump through all these hoops just to get Gold VIP status? You can have it for LIFE just by getting and keeping the Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Visa Card:
Per https://creditcards.citi.com/credit-...s-reserve-card
HHonors Gold status is complimentary as long as you are a Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve cardmember.
The annual fee is $95, which is a cheap price to pay for Gold VIP status.
Per https://creditcards.citi.com/credit-...s-reserve-card
HHonors Gold status is complimentary as long as you are a Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve cardmember.
The annual fee is $95, which is a cheap price to pay for Gold VIP status.
(Plus, this thread predates the Reserve card by years. The Reserve card came out only about half a year ago!)
Furhtermore, you have to have decent credit. Not everyone who stays at Hilton Hotels does. And not everyone who applies for a credit card is accepted! (What if you just did a churn of other Citi cards when you realize you need HHonors Gold? Sorry, gotta wait 65 days to get your Gold status, no matter how much you want it now!) So the Reserve card may take more planning, while some of these "hoops" are easy to start any time you want (and get done in as little as a week theoretically).
Dec 4, 2012, 7:57 pm
#1503
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Join Date: Aug 2007
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Because not everyone came through the Great Recession with perfect credit and the ability to get cards from Citibank. I would imagine they might not be too keen to issue a credit card to someone who they had to foreclose on...
Dec 4, 2012, 9:26 pm
#1504
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 5,015
Not if you live outside of the USA you can't!
(Plus, this thread predates the Reserve card by years. The Reserve card came out only about half a year ago!)
Furhtermore, you have to have decent credit. Not everyone who stays at Hilton Hotels does. And not everyone who applies for a credit card is accepted! (What if you just did a churn of other Citi cards when you realize you need HHonors Gold? Sorry, gotta wait 65 days to get your Gold status, no matter how much you want it now!) So the Reserve card may take more planning, while some of these "hoops" are easy to start any time you want (and get done in as little as a week theoretically).
(Plus, this thread predates the Reserve card by years. The Reserve card came out only about half a year ago!)
Furhtermore, you have to have decent credit. Not everyone who stays at Hilton Hotels does. And not everyone who applies for a credit card is accepted! (What if you just did a churn of other Citi cards when you realize you need HHonors Gold? Sorry, gotta wait 65 days to get your Gold status, no matter how much you want it now!) So the Reserve card may take more planning, while some of these "hoops" are easy to start any time you want (and get done in as little as a week theoretically).
I applied online, got instant approval, and had the Reserve card in my hands in less than a week. It's an option some may not have been aware of and I thought my post would help those who didn't know this option existed.
Dec 5, 2012, 8:09 pm
#1505
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
I realize people who live outside the USA and those with bad credit are SOL on getting the Reserve card. Yet, there had been only one mention of the Reserve card (buried in an unrelated post in THIS thread) until I posted. And plenty of those who are jumping through hoops to get Gold VIP status are INDEED eligible to get the Reserve card.
I applied online, got instant approval, and had the Reserve card in my hands in less than a week. It's an option some may not have been aware of and I thought my post would help those who didn't know this option existed.
I applied online, got instant approval, and had the Reserve card in my hands in less than a week. It's an option some may not have been aware of and I thought my post would help those who didn't know this option existed.
Dec 5, 2012, 11:37 pm
#1506
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 5,015
My point is that the way you phrased your all-bolded message implied that you either didn't know or didn't care that it's no solution for those not in the USA. You could have added (in non-bold, if you wished), something like "of course, this only works for those in the USA". Then people would have praised your post instead of all jumping on it. It was your unqualified "you can" phrasing that got under everyone's skin.
Dec 6, 2012, 12:46 am
#1507
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 78
It kind of did. You were trying to be helpful but please appreciate the fact that those living outside the US (maybe a couple of other countries like Canada and the UK) are not as lucky as we when it comes to getting free stays and bonus points through hotel and airline branded Credit Cards.
Dec 6, 2012, 3:08 am
#1508
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
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Posts: 6,819
It kind of did. You were trying to be helpful but please appreciate the fact that those living outside the US (maybe a couple of other countries like Canada and the UK) are not as lucky as we when it comes to getting free stays and bonus points through hotel and airline branded Credit Cards.
Dec 6, 2012, 3:45 pm
#1509
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It kind of did. You were trying to be helpful but please appreciate the fact that those living outside the US (maybe a couple of other countries like Canada and the UK) are not as lucky as we when it comes to getting free stays and bonus points through hotel and airline branded Credit Cards.
The part that rubbed me the wrong way was the mindset that doing an MVP promo or something is "jumping through hoops". It's satisfying the pretty minimal requirements of a program to attain status, and would be preferable to many, especially since those of us who would benefit the most from status wouldn't really blink at making 4 stays over a few weeks.
Heck, I live in the US and have a FICO over 800, but if I weren't already Gold by points I'd do the MVP over getting the extra card in a heartbeat. I could hit 4 stays within a month (could even do a cheap HI by my house, if I want it quicker), save the credit hit and AF, and be in the same place.
Dec 6, 2012, 4:10 pm
#1510
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
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No they don't. Please see Accrual of Points item 3 in the HHonors terms and conditions, which includes the wording "Specifically excluded from the definition of "stay" are the following types of ineligible stays: ... Reward Stays".
In practice, the system very often counts them, but it is clear in black and white that they are not officially included. This has been in the terms and conditions for nearly 18 months and it is disappointing that people on this forum still have not caught up with the matter.
For the sake of completeness I will note that some other part of the HHonors website still says that reward stays do count. I would expect the terms and conditions to take precedence.
In practice, the system very often counts them, but it is clear in black and white that they are not officially included. This has been in the terms and conditions for nearly 18 months and it is disappointing that people on this forum still have not caught up with the matter.
For the sake of completeness I will note that some other part of the HHonors website still says that reward stays do count. I would expect the terms and conditions to take precedence.
Anyway, if one signs up for the MVP challenge, and falls short, can one sign up again in the future? And if so, is there a wait - e.g., only once in one year? I don't believe I've seen a requirement along this line either. (But I probably have...) Thank you.
Jan 11, 2013, 2:48 pm
#1511
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Reading, UK
Programs: BA Gold,, Hilton HHonors Gold
Posts: 399
Keeping gold in the UK & maybe getting to diamond
Hi All, Living in the UK and I just got to HH Gold status on account of earning 60k base points in 2012. I wasn't serious on any sort of status with hotel programs but realised in December that I just needed another 2k base points for an upgrade to gold. So booked an overnight stay in Hilton Gatwick which wasn't strictly necessary. We were on a holiday to Tenerife & the flight came in at midnight. So it worked out well I guess.
I am not sure how useful the gold status would be though. A possible upgrade to the executive floor sounds interesting but I am not too excited about the lounge. Being totally blind, the thought of figuring out where the lounge is and finding my way around it all sounds too tiring. I do have decent mobility skills and so maybe I will like it. This is of course assuming that I do get upgraded to an executive floor.
Anyway, since I already have this gold status, I think I will make an effort to retain it. Most of my work related travel is in Europe and I found certain advantages with the Hilton chain. They most certainly have English speaking staff and they have always found me an English speaking taxi driver in most of the European cities I have been in.
There is a good chance that I can indeed earn the required 75k base points this year. my travel comes up to about 35-40 days a year but a large chunk of it is to southern France (Antibes/Nice area) where there isn't a Hilton. The other option available to UK residents is to get the Hilton Visa card and make transactions worth £10000 on it to qualify for gold status. I already have enough credit cards as it is. So am not too excited about this route. are there any better/lesser known ways to retain my gold status or even try for the Diamond status from the UK?
I have been looking at this thread and I see that people from across the pond have options like the Amex reserve card and such. And what is this MVP thing that everyone is talking about? I have come across it often in the thread but haven't found a description. Not very surprising considering that the thread is nearly 100 pages long. I almost wish some one would be kind enough to summarise the thread like they do over at the British Airways Executive Club board.
Sorry for rambling on but any tips and tricks for making use of my newly earned status and retaining it are very welcome. I have already booked a 4 night stay at Hilton Berlin in February followed by 2 nights at Hilton McLean in Virginia, 5 nights at DoubleTree San Diego, 2 nights at Hilton San Jose and 3 nights in Hilton Salt Lake City Centre. 16 nights before end of February is a pretty decent start I guess although the Salt Lake City booking is a convension rate and so I am not entirely sure if that counts as a stay or if I'll get points for it. On the other hand, I will be paying for the room and any insidentals and so I don't see how it cannot be earning points.
Thanks again for listening and any sort of information is welcome.
I am not sure how useful the gold status would be though. A possible upgrade to the executive floor sounds interesting but I am not too excited about the lounge. Being totally blind, the thought of figuring out where the lounge is and finding my way around it all sounds too tiring. I do have decent mobility skills and so maybe I will like it. This is of course assuming that I do get upgraded to an executive floor.
Anyway, since I already have this gold status, I think I will make an effort to retain it. Most of my work related travel is in Europe and I found certain advantages with the Hilton chain. They most certainly have English speaking staff and they have always found me an English speaking taxi driver in most of the European cities I have been in.
There is a good chance that I can indeed earn the required 75k base points this year. my travel comes up to about 35-40 days a year but a large chunk of it is to southern France (Antibes/Nice area) where there isn't a Hilton. The other option available to UK residents is to get the Hilton Visa card and make transactions worth £10000 on it to qualify for gold status. I already have enough credit cards as it is. So am not too excited about this route. are there any better/lesser known ways to retain my gold status or even try for the Diamond status from the UK?
I have been looking at this thread and I see that people from across the pond have options like the Amex reserve card and such. And what is this MVP thing that everyone is talking about? I have come across it often in the thread but haven't found a description. Not very surprising considering that the thread is nearly 100 pages long. I almost wish some one would be kind enough to summarise the thread like they do over at the British Airways Executive Club board.
Sorry for rambling on but any tips and tricks for making use of my newly earned status and retaining it are very welcome. I have already booked a 4 night stay at Hilton Berlin in February followed by 2 nights at Hilton McLean in Virginia, 5 nights at DoubleTree San Diego, 2 nights at Hilton San Jose and 3 nights in Hilton Salt Lake City Centre. 16 nights before end of February is a pretty decent start I guess although the Salt Lake City booking is a convension rate and so I am not entirely sure if that counts as a stay or if I'll get points for it. On the other hand, I will be paying for the room and any insidentals and so I don't see how it cannot be earning points.
Thanks again for listening and any sort of information is welcome.
Jan 12, 2013, 4:25 am
#1512
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 870
As another HH UK newbie, I would appreciate a quick summary if possible as well.
The BA forum dahsboard is fanstastic, would be great to see HH version of it.
The BA forum dahsboard is fanstastic, would be great to see HH version of it.
Jan 12, 2013, 10:45 am
#1513
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
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Posts: 14,209
I'll have a go, as a UK-based Diamond guest.
There are no credit card-based or similar options for making Diamond in the UK. You will have to make the 30 stays, 60 nights, or 120,000 base points. The one concession is that a two-night or longer stay booked on the January sale rate will count as two stays.
I am sure that hotels would not mind getting someone to escort you to the executive lounge first time around, and the attendant might help by bringing you some food/drink (they are normally self-service).
Most rates tend to earn points in Hilton, as long as they are not centrally paid for.
The MVP program is actually two separate arrangements. One is a fast-track to gold with 4 stays or 9 nights in 90 days (for which you must register) and the other is a special rate plan, which in my experience doesn't tend to work outside North America with the exception of Hamptons. To register for the former, go to http://www.hiltonfamilymvp.com/ (but it's not useful for blindy as you're already gold). To use the latter, enter corporate code N0041604 or 560041604 when you book. (Which code to use varies by brand, although as mentioned, not all hotels participate.)
Hope that helps.
There are no credit card-based or similar options for making Diamond in the UK. You will have to make the 30 stays, 60 nights, or 120,000 base points. The one concession is that a two-night or longer stay booked on the January sale rate will count as two stays.
I am sure that hotels would not mind getting someone to escort you to the executive lounge first time around, and the attendant might help by bringing you some food/drink (they are normally self-service).
Most rates tend to earn points in Hilton, as long as they are not centrally paid for.
The MVP program is actually two separate arrangements. One is a fast-track to gold with 4 stays or 9 nights in 90 days (for which you must register) and the other is a special rate plan, which in my experience doesn't tend to work outside North America with the exception of Hamptons. To register for the former, go to http://www.hiltonfamilymvp.com/ (but it's not useful for blindy as you're already gold). To use the latter, enter corporate code N0041604 or 560041604 when you book. (Which code to use varies by brand, although as mentioned, not all hotels participate.)
Hope that helps.
Jan 12, 2013, 2:15 pm
#1514
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 870
Hi Stifle,
Thansk for your help. Would the Fast Track work for me then, I am Gold but only bu vitue of my amex plat. It is due to expire end of March 2013. Thanks.
Thansk for your help. Would the Fast Track work for me then, I am Gold but only bu vitue of my amex plat. It is due to expire end of March 2013. Thanks.
Jan 13, 2013, 7:22 am
#1515
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
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Posts: 14,209
I don't quite know, to be honest, how that would work. There's a chance that if you enrolled now and did your four stays it would extend you to March 2015. But the HHonors system does some inexplicable things.