Using Diamond Force for Hilton Honors Reward Stays: The Definitive Thread

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Oct 7, 2005, 10:17 pm

#46

DAL

Join Date: Mar 2002

Posts: 113

This summer I got a week at a sold-out beach resort via diamond guarantee, then diamond csr requested hotel let it be an award, all less than 2 weeks out, then we even got one of the few suites for most of our stay!

Oct 7, 2005, 10:32 pm

#47

GUWonder

Suspended

Join Date: Jul 2001

Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory

Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting

Posts: 102,095

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAL

Was this involving a property in the Americas and with the same CSR doing all of that on one call? (I ask because I have done something akin to what you did but usually done it with separate phone calls with some time in between.)

Oct 8, 2005, 12:18 am

#48

fredlisancnc

Join Date: Jul 2004

Programs: AA - Exec Plat, Marriott Platinum Premiere; Lifetime Platinum;

Posts: 484

More cheers for the Diamond Desk. An award booking online was not an available option for the EmBassy Suites in Myrtle Beach, SC (Cat 6) for week 2 - JULY 2006.
BUT the diamond desk could do the 6 night-175,000 point package with no sweat.

This is a major benefit of the Hilton program - no diamond blackouts.

Oct 19, 2005, 9:38 pm

#49

HepperSchepp

Join Date: May 2004

Location: Boston

Programs: Hotels: Golden Airlines: B6 Mosiac

Posts: 313

I don't get this. Why the heck to they make me "Specifically" Invoke the Diamond Guarantee?

From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Waldorf=Astoria
Date: October 18, 2005 10:24:28 PM EDT
To: HepperSchepp

Dear Mr. HepperSchepp:

I would like to apologize for any inconvenience you have experienced in trying to book a reservation using your HHonors points. Diamond Special Services is committed to assisting you with this process through a benefit offered exclusively to Diamond members. I have made a regular reservation at the Waldorf = Astoria for November 4, 2005. The confirmation number is XXXXXXXX. The next step is to place a request in your HHonors account for our Diamond coordinator who will work directly with the hotel to assist with booking your reward accommodations. You will be contacted within 7 to 10 days with the outcome of this request.

I am sorry for the previous confusion in regard to your reservation request.

Best regards,
Diamond Special Agent
Hilton HHonors Worldwide

---- Original Message -----
From : HepperSchepp
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: 10/18/2005 1:01:32 PM
Subject: Waldorf=Astoria

I thought I could use Rewards stay with out blackouts as a diamond?

On Tuesday, October 18, 2005, at 07:34AM, Diamond <[email protected]> wrote:

Dear Mr. HepperSchepp,

Thank you for contacting Diamond Special Services. The Walldorf = Astoria does not have availability for use of points for November 4th 2005. We do have availability for the same date at the Homewood Suites Edgewater NYC where you may still also use your certificates or if you'd like use 30,000 points per nights. Would you prefer to make a reservation at this hotel?

Best Regards,

Diamond Special Services

Oct 20, 2005, 8:09 am

#50

Condition One

Join Date: Apr 2003

Location: IAD

Programs: Free Agent

Posts: 1,939

Last week, I tried to book an award stay at the Scandic Palace in Tallinn, Estonia for next July. I don't know what's going on that weekend, but the hotel was sold out. I called the Diamond Line, received a Case ID #, and received a confirmation email 7 business days later. That was my first experience with a Diamond Override and I'm impressed!

Oct 20, 2005, 8:45 am

#51

Abidjan

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Cote d'Ivoire

Programs: OW Emerald - HH Diamond

Posts: 3,421

Just had my first Diamond force this week for The Inn in Philly. Worked well. ^

Oct 21, 2005, 5:46 pm

#52

Bluehen1

Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: Trenton NJ

Programs: UA Gold MM, Honors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz President’s Circle

Posts: 3,674

Quote:

Originally Posted by Condition One

As I remember, the Scandic Palace is not that large a hotel (though it's larger than the St. Barbara). Tallinn is one of the few places where I prefer a hotel other than a Hilton Family hotel (my favorite was the Radisson SAS).

Oct 26, 2005, 6:28 am

#53

HepperSchepp

Join Date: May 2004

Location: Boston

Programs: Hotels: Golden Airlines: B6 Mosiac

Posts: 313

Ah... Just got approval for my 3rd Points stay at a sold out hotel. They are as follows.
Most Recent: 5/10/15 Cert at Waldorf=Astoria for an upcoming friday
Previous: Cat2 in NH for NASCAR
First: GLONP2 or whatever in Paris ADT during Airshow...

Oct 26, 2005, 10:38 am

#54

Billiken

Join Date: May 2002

Location: Moreland Hills (CLE)

Programs: Over-entitled UA 1.3MM Gold, AA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott L-T Plat, Hertz PC

Posts: 5,521

Just used a "forced" one-night award.

Kudos to the Diamond Desk! ^

Nov 9, 2005, 7:39 am

#55

liveon777

Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: Pittsburgh

Programs: Star Alliance Gold, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Avis Rock Star

Posts: 1,217

Will I get Lounge Access

Seems iffy.
Will definitely try.

Nov 9, 2005, 9:26 am

#56

liveon777

Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: Pittsburgh

Programs: Star Alliance Gold, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Avis Rock Star

Posts: 1,217

sorry, dupe

Nov 9, 2005, 1:53 pm

#57

SanDiego1K

Community Director Emerita

Join Date: Oct 2000

Location: Anywhere warm

Posts: 33,815

I get the same Diamond benefits on a forced award stay as I do on any stay. The desk makes no distinction.

Nov 12, 2005, 9:07 pm

#58

bbkenney

Join Date: Mar 2004

Location: Plano, Texas USA

Programs: AA EXP, 8 MM; Hilton Diamond

Posts: 1,893

Its worked for me a couple of times, domestic and international. (Disney World, Conrad Dublin, another one or two.)
It definately did NOT work in Rome for Pope John Paul II's funeral last spring.