Platinum Signup Benefits for ongoing Platinums

[haloboy]

I know this has been spoken about, but just seeing if anyone has heard anything new.

My biggest issues with being Platinum is years ago I got Hilton Diamond, Hertz Presidents etc and never again.

I have a friend who was also Platinum, dropped to Gold the next year and when he moved back up to Platinum only a bit later, got the benefits again. I have never not had Platinum since Virgin introduced it, but because I maintain my flying with them, I get dudded. My friend who did more with QF that year got rewarded by Virgin when he came back. Prodigal Son story all over

I have been requesting with VA to look at this for years, but always just get told to keep my ear out in case it changes.

 

[grubbidok]

I get it - I've been VA a while. I retained Diamond one year with HH after the match, and then for various reasons most of my travel was directed to places where Hilton had no presence (mostly India, Africa and Korea), so fell down to base over two years. After falling, I didn't see the advantage booking Hilton over others so now mix around).

The once-off is good, but it doesn't really build a sustainable relationship between HH and VA. If it is a "once-off" it is also a bit disingenuous for VA to call it a "benefit" of VA WP and SG.

 

[haloboy]

I get it - I've been VA a while. I retained Diamond one year with HH after the match, and then for various reasons most of my travel was directed to places where Hilton had no presence (mostly India, Africa and Korea), so fell down to base over two years. After falling, I didn't see the advantage booking Hilton over others so now mix around).

The once-off is good, but it doesn't really build a sustainable relationship between HH and VA. If it is a "once-off" it is also a bit disingenuous for VA to call it a "benefit" of VA WP and SG.

Yes, and for me the worst is, people who fly a lot, and then not, and then do again with Virgin keep getting rewarded. Those that continue using Virgin and stay Platinum get nothing after the first year.

Why not make that annual for those retaining Platinum? I am seriously thinking of getting just enough points to be shy of Platinum, dropping to gold, and then the next trip it would put me back up to Platinum and I get all the benefits.

 

[CPMaverick]

Why not make that annual for those retaining Platinum? I am seriously thinking of getting just enough points to be shy of Platinum, dropping to gold, and then the next trip it would put me back up to Platinum and I get all the benefits.

I'm guessing Hilton and Hertz, etc don't want it to be an annual benefit.

VA can sell it easier to their partners as a one-time benefit. If they have a pool of customers that travel a lot, it is sensible marketing for the partners to give them a carrot to bring their business over. But it doesn't make sense for Hilton to give away top status in their program for free on an ongoing basis.

I don't think VA can just go out and buy these benefits (maybe rental cars, but not hotels). It's a marketing ploy by the partners to give this status out judiciously.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I'm guessing Hilton and Hertz, etc don't want it to be an annual benefit.

VA can sell it easier to their partners as a one-time benefit. If they have a pool of customers that travel a lot, it is sensible marketing for the partners to give them a carrot to bring their business over. But it doesn't make sense for Hilton to give away top status in their program for free on an ongoing basis.

I don't think VA can just go out and buy these benefits (maybe rental cars, but not hotels). It's a marketing ploy by the partners to give this status out judiciously.

It's a customer acquisition tool for hilton, ihg, hertz etc. No cost to either party.

As you point out there are opportunities for both VA and their partners to get better deals. However in my experience there is a culture of 'NO' at Velocity which is costing them a fortune in lost revenue.

 

[CPMaverick]

It's a customer acquisition tool for hilton, ihg, hertz etc. No cost to either party.

That was my guess. The point was they can't just 'order more.' It isn't really up to VA and I don't think the partners give it away unless they see something in it for themselves. Which, if a VA Plat got the status once and didn't stay enough to renew it, they probably shouldn't waste it on them.

VA Plat is NOT differentiated enough and VA needs to find more Platinum benefits... but I don't think this is one they can control.

 

[Daniel O'Connor]

That''s why I'm sitting in the Q Pub right now!

It's a customer acquisition tool for hilton, ihg, hertz etc. No cost to either party.

As you point out there are opportunities for both VA and their partners to get better deals. However in my experience there is a culture of 'NO' at Velocity which is costing them a fortune in lost revenue.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

That was my guess. The point was they can't just 'order more.' It isn't really up to VA and I don't think the partners give it away unless they see something in it for themselves. Which, if a VA Plat got the status once and didn't stay enough to renew it, they probably shouldn't waste it on them.

VA Plat is NOT differentiated enough and VA needs to find more Platinum benefits... but I don't think this is one they can control.

We need to be brutally honest and admit both Velocity and Hilton could do better... much better on the deal.

Hilton has the data on how profitable their partnership opportunities are such as with Velocity. How much would it cost Hilton in lost business if Velocity switched them out for SPG? How many stays is Velocity 'generating' through these gifted status matches and why are they not taking a cut of the revenue? I could go on and on but I think you get the idea...

Hilton isn't the most innovative company in the world when it comes to leveraging big data to drive a stronger strategy, more revenue etc.
Here's an interview I did with the VP of CRM at Hilton just last week on how they are using data: https://www.traveldatadaily.com/talking-data-hilton-vp-crm/

 

[Dannyism]

Hilton gold is fantastic, free breakfast and upgrades.

I would be sad to see the plat-gold-plat refresh of these benefits get 'fixed'. This is exactly my plan over the next couple of years.

I think it's a great benefit and that Qantas should up their game and offer reciprocal hotel/hirecar status to their golds and plats.

 

[oz_mark]

I have a friend who was also Platinum, dropped to Gold the next year and when he moved back up to Platinum only a bit later, got the benefits again.

While I know this used to happen, I was under the impression that bouncing between levels no longer gave you the benefit again.

Anyway, it is up to Hilton, and what they are willing to provide (possibly at no cost to Velocity).

 

[blackcat20]

While I know this used to happen, I was under the impression that bouncing between levels no longer gave you the benefit again.

Anyway, it is up to Hilton, and what they are willing to provide (possibly at no cost to Velocity).

This is the case; a drop and gain do not earn anymore.

 

[bean]

Imp really getting sick of Virgin. I've been waiting for over 2 months for the upgrades for Hertz and Hilton to come through. Called up this morning and was told they have 'sent an email' and I can expect a response within 3-5 business days.

Really...after waiting 2 months they think its satisfactory customer service for me to wait another 3-5 days just for an answer on what is happening? How about they get on the phone and call someone and sort it out on the spot.

 

[OzEire]

Really Bean, you're just getting sick of Virgin? I've been plat for years and still find that the majority of interactions with VA are frustrating as heck... and getting worse.

Back on topic, I had planned to drop to gold this year and renew my status matches, thanks for advice up thread that this doesn't work anymore. Has anyone tried asking VA nicely? :rofl:

 

[bean]

Really Bean, you're just getting sick of Virgin? I've been plat for years and still find that the majority of interactions with VA are frustrating as heck... and getting worse.

lol, I have a love hate relationship with them. You could call it a very dysfunctional relationship. Many a time I have been on the brink, bags packed and threatening to move out and sell the house, and then they cook me a lovely dinner, iron my shirts and pour me a whisky and I'm right back holding hands with them...urghhhh

One of these days though someone is going to come along and sweep me off my feet...