Must Now Have All Points in Hilton Honors Account Before Booking Reward Reservation
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Kailua Hawaii
Programs: United 1K, Hilton Diamond VIP, AlohaPass
Posts: 1
Must Now Have All Points in Hilton Honors Account Before Booking Reward Reservation
I just found out today from two different phone calls that effective a few days ago, Hilton Honors has changed their reward policy. You can no longer reserve award nights without first having the all the points necessary in your account. In the past you were able to reserve an award without all of the points and as long as you accumulated them by the time you needed the award you were fine. This was always a great benefit and one that caused me to go out of my way to stay at Hilton Hotels. I expressed my dissapointment that Diamond VIPS such as myself were not notified and they replied they are just telling customers when they call in. Their guest assistance people didn't know anything about it. To register a complaint in writing they gave the following address:
755 Crossover Lane
Memphis Tennessee 38117
755 Crossover Lane
Memphis Tennessee 38117
#3
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: AA EXP, CO Platinum, SPG Platinum
Posts: 111
Wow. I normally stay at Starwood with Hilton as a second choice due to this policy and the ability to transfer from many other programs into Hilton. With this change, it makes me rethink having any loyalty to Hilton...
#4
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: DL MM Plat, PC&HH Gold
Posts: 2,602
I have mostly used it to temporarily hold rooms while I try and assemble an itinerary to maximize free nights. Lately, my trips have been to places with few hiltons so my points are gathering dust.
#7
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Sydney
Posts: 5,768
I certainly will NOT consider Hilton as my choice of hotel now! it certainly was a fabulous perk that I did appreciate and certainly did not abuse!
Hyatt still does hold reservations for Diamond members without the points in the account and I will take that into consideration especially that I dont ahve to stay till 2009 to keep my status!
Hyatt still does hold reservations for Diamond members without the points in the account and I will take that into consideration especially that I dont ahve to stay till 2009 to keep my status!
#9
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: London, England
Programs: MUCCI -- What else matters?
Posts: 1,089
This got me my second GLONP2 stay for my current trip - literally getting the remaining points on a stay just before. It's a shame to see it go (although I still think Hilton has a very good program, and I've always been treated well by it).
-simon
-simon
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,485
#11
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; IHG Plat; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 11,721
Hilton isn't my 1st choice of hotel chains and I'm definitely not the most knowledgable about the ins/outs of Hiltons program. But I do know a little about Marriott and they do allow this nice feature and I make use of it quite often as it is very helpful in getting an award reservation if I see one available at a possible future vacation time.
With that said, for a Diamond, I wouldn't have thought this benefit would be a big issue. Doesn't Hilton 'force' award availability for a Diamond even if there isn't any available to others? If so, then just wait until you have the points and then make the reservation at that time. No harm done. Now I could see a possible issue with persons who aren't Diamond level. If they have to wait until they have the points to make a reservation, award availability may no longer be available for the dates they need. That could put a damper on your vacation plans.
With that said, for a Diamond, I wouldn't have thought this benefit would be a big issue. Doesn't Hilton 'force' award availability for a Diamond even if there isn't any available to others? If so, then just wait until you have the points and then make the reservation at that time. No harm done. Now I could see a possible issue with persons who aren't Diamond level. If they have to wait until they have the points to make a reservation, award availability may no longer be available for the dates they need. That could put a damper on your vacation plans.
#12
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: DL,HH Gold,SPG Gold, Marriott Silver, Omni SG
Posts: 828
I also have Marriott points I had planned to use for another city. As a backup, I am making multiple Marriott reward reservations and will cancel as necessary. I have mixed feelings about that though, as I'm not sure if it is unfairly taking up reward space.
#13
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Suwanee,Ga ,usa
Posts: 3,617
Doesn't Hilton 'force' award availability for a Diamond even if there isn't any available to others?
The new policy doesn't affect me so much, but we often travel internationally with another couple who only gets points through their HH credit card. In the past they were able to reserve their room when we did ours,although they didn't have enough points.
By the time they would have the points I'm sure they would have had a difficult time getting their desired stay (no status).
#14
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sydney
Programs: Qantas Platinum, HH Blue, SPG PLatinum
Posts: 289
Registering points stays
I just found out today from two different phone calls that effective a few days ago, Hilton Honors has changed their reward policy. You can no longer reserve award nights without first having the all the points necessary in your account. In the past you were able to reserve an award without all of the points and as long as you accumulated them by the time you needed the award you were fine. This was always a great benefit and one that caused me to go out of my way to stay at Hilton Hotels. I expressed my dissapointment that Diamond VIPS such as myself were not notified and they replied they are just telling customers when they call in. Their guest assistance people didn't know anything about it. To register a complaint in writing they gave the following address:
755 Crossover Lane
Memphis Tennessee 38117
755 Crossover Lane
Memphis Tennessee 38117
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,219
I've used it. I'll miss it. It changes how I feel but likely won't affect my choice of programs or properties much.