Newbie on course to hit Plat - is it worth it?
Nov 21, 2008, 5:18 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,419
I'm currently Diamond with Hilton and have been Plat with Marriott and got Plat with IHG this year. Basically I see the program as a bit of a trade off - you can get Plat pretty easy with all the promos but the value of Plat isn't as high. Comparing IGH Plat to HH Diamond:
IHG good:
1. easy to earn and keep status (esp since even your 50% bonus counts)
2. incredible promos (as compared to HH where they've been in a promo desert for the last year +)
3. I get the distinct sense that most of the properties really care about your business - most of the chain is 'hungry' and they work for it a bit.
IHG bad:
1. no equivalent to Diamond Force on award stays
2. upgrade success varies radically and from what I can tell it seems to depend on property whim. I can say that I've gotten some great upgrades at HI Express and the rate is probably 2/3. At the other properties - paritcularly regular HIs the upgrade rate is pretty poor. (I think its because they are typically older and have very few 'special' rooms.)
3. There are a lot of really run down properties - particularly regular HIs.
4. Inconsistent 'extras' - about 1/2 include various extras like a special snack or a 'choose a freebie'.
IHG good:
1. easy to earn and keep status (esp since even your 50% bonus counts)
2. incredible promos (as compared to HH where they've been in a promo desert for the last year +)
3. I get the distinct sense that most of the properties really care about your business - most of the chain is 'hungry' and they work for it a bit.
IHG bad:
1. no equivalent to Diamond Force on award stays
2. upgrade success varies radically and from what I can tell it seems to depend on property whim. I can say that I've gotten some great upgrades at HI Express and the rate is probably 2/3. At the other properties - paritcularly regular HIs the upgrade rate is pretty poor. (I think its because they are typically older and have very few 'special' rooms.)
3. There are a lot of really run down properties - particularly regular HIs.
4. Inconsistent 'extras' - about 1/2 include various extras like a special snack or a 'choose a freebie'.
IHG Bad (or HH better)
- Only 2K pts can be earned at IC, whereas points are based upon $-spend at all Hiltons
- Little bonuses at HH like Amex and Rental car
- Can earn points at HH on award stays
- Double dipping
- Agree with the rundown HI props
- Lounge access guaranteed at HH
IHG Good
- Pointbreaks, better reward levels than HH IMHO (eg all HI's are lower than many Hampton Inn's).
Nov 23, 2008, 6:48 pm
#33
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: JAX
Programs: US Plat, DL Gold, WN when needed, PC Plat, SPG Gold, National Exec
Posts: 340
Some of the HI and HIX properties need work, but they will do the renovations, or lose the franchise. This should increase the quality and consistency of the HI properities in the next couple of years.
To me, it was a huge point that mnredfox made about the award levels. Earning 15 points per dollar as a Plat, you can build free nights quickly when you figure that some good quality HI properties can be had for 10K or 15K a night. HH cannot touch that.
Nov 26, 2008, 1:03 pm
#34
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DFW
Programs: Marriott Life Titanium, Hilton Diamond, United Silver, DL, IHG Plat, etc.
Posts: 2,888
I'm confused on this one. I've earned points on rewards stays as recently as last month. (pts for room service at the HI Manhattan while taking advantage of that incredible 15K /night redemption they have.)
Nov 26, 2008, 3:58 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,419
For PC properties, I don't think they have that unless you have a special promo like bonus points for next stay.
To me the reward levels for PC are a lot better, I'd gladly stay at a smaller not so nice HI for 10K points than finding the crappy HH Hampton's for 15K points. Plus, Pointbreaks have been nearly impossible with HH. Don't get me wrong, I still love HH, I just wish redemption was as good as PC.