Hilton Racing - Restart Possible?

[anat0l]

Hmmm...just had a brain kick-in then.

I've just realised that by the end of March this year, my HHG will expire. And since I didn't get enough nights, stays or base points to requalify, I will more than likely drop to HHS.

A bit of a bummer, since I think I'm going to have at least two stays at Hiltons coming up just after I lose status; biggest loss will be complimentary upgrade (usually to Executive Floor).

Oh well - I hope some mini-break rates will be left in the next days (I'm waiting for a new period on either one of my Amex cards).

OTOH I could ditch Hilton and switch to PC instead (signed up for Priority Privilege and obtained PC Platinum...)

 

[anat0l]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

You might get a targetted offer to renew your Gold - I did last time, otherwise there is the HH Racing Fast-Track possibly still available.

I've pretty much given up on Hilton though, and switched pretty much over to PriorityClub. Points are easier to earn and burn, although the recognition of PC Plat isn't as good as HH Gold I think.

Hotels are hit and miss too, but generally HI / CP are pretty good (bar a few of them), IC's are normally great (but of course there are exceptions), HIX is basic but clean (and there are some bad ones of course too)...

I think I've saved a fortune on accom since ditching hilton.

Oh, saving a fortune on accom is a given if a switch from Hilton. But as you've said, quality is a thing.

HIs are pretty stock standard. I expect a similar quality across many of them, and with the exception of the Cairns HI, I haven't seen otherwise (for better or worse). I don't see HIs as a good investment for burning points unless a point break, but it does depend a lot on location.

CP are a more attractive option for sure, if only the standards were more consistent across them.

Haven't tried IC yet, but I have heard there are some really good ones out there.

If I don't get a fast track to HHG or any other means, then I might just have to ditch Hilton, because it's not likely I can get HHG vanilla style on my own. Oh, and I'm already signed up for Racing (that's how I got HHG in the first place), so that one is a no go.

 

[Mal]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I'm already signed up for Racing (that's how I got HHG in the first place), so that one is a no go.

Sure about that ?

 

[anat0l]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I found the HIX Edinburgh to be v. good value; managed to get a room (that would take 4 if wanted) for 2 people for 39 GBP per night. Had a v. nice buffet breakfast (for Europe, anyway) too!

For the record, it was a continental breakfast, which is a standard stock for HIX. Wasn't expecting it to be quite that crowded, but we did get in at the tail end of breakfast hours, so probably not unusual at all.

Did you garner any PC points for those stays? A bit of a bummer if they were non-award, cash stays; even for PC that is very, very rare.

 

[anat0l]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Sure about that ?

Are you suggesting I should seek out my evil twin? Or tell HH that I'm leaving, then running back to them?

This might need a PM....

 

[straitman]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Oh, and I'm already signed up for Racing (that's how I got HHG in the first place), so that one is a no go.

Try it again.

You might get a surprise.

 

[Flashback]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

For the record, it was a continental breakfast, which is a standard stock for HIX. Wasn't expecting it to be quite that crowded, but we did get in at the tail end of breakfast hours, so probably not unusual at all.

Did you garner any PC points for those stays? A bit of a bummer if they were non-award, cash stays; even for PC that is very, very rare.

Most European hotels are continental, hence the "europe" comment; as you found out at the Sheraton FRA...

Yep, received points for the stay.

 

[Mal]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Try it again.

You might get a surprise.

Indeed. It's a new Hilton Racing year isn't it? They are so disorganised etc that I doubt they even have a clue what is going on.

I just resigned with my HH number. Wonder if they'll send me a new card.

Oh, and as the Fast-Track isn't automated in most cases, I'm sure most CSR's now know it exists...

 

[anat0l]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Try it again.

You might get a surprise.

I see.

Of course, I gotta lose HHG first, then get those stays I need. Timing's a b****.

Again, back to the ol' balancing and decision-making act: HH vs PC

 

[anat0l]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I just resigned with my HH number. Wonder if they'll send me a new card.

You must mean "re-signed". Or "signed up again".

And that is a surprise. I know HH aren't a clean cut operation but this is nuthouse.

 

[Flashback]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Speaking of HH, is the current ASIAPACIFIC sale points earning?

I couldn't find anything specifically that said no, though on the very front page (Asia Pacific) there was one line that said non-earning, but didn't seem to indicate no points etc. would be earned.

 

[Mal]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

You must mean "re-signed". Or "signed up again".

Sorry, yeah didn't resign, I re-signed up.

The website didn't recognise I've previously signed up using my HH number and promised me my card in 4 weeks.

Then again, they rarely send me promo emails etc so not surprising.

 

[straitman]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I see.

Of course, I gotta lose HHG first, then get those stays I need. Timing's a b****.

Again, back to the ol' balancing and decision-making act: HH vs PC

anat0l,

I had the same issue last year. I spoke to HH in Sydney and they advised to wait until I dropped to Silver and it would/should process correctly.

Somehow in the middle of it all I registered whilst still Gold so I registered again after dropping to Silver. I got a new card and registration number for each registration. Both cards came through in about one week.

I do not recall whether I had to chase them up again after my 4 stays were completed.

 

[serfty]

Speaking of HH, is the current ASIAPACIFIC sale points earning? ...

All revenue bookings made by using either a Hilton Family website or "Hilton telephone bookings" are eligible for points earning and stay/night credits.

 

[Flashback]

All revenue bookings made by using either a Hilton Family website or a Hilton telephone booking are eligible for points earning and stay/night credits.

Excellent, 2 points earning nights coming up this week then

 

[tehuringa]

All revenue bookings made by using either a Hilton Family website or "Hilton telephone bookings" are eligible for points earning and stay/night credits.

I can conform that...I stayed at the Adelaide Hilton last night and points were earned

 

[Mal]

There is also this Fast-track promo available:

https://www.hiltonhhonors.com/landingpages/mvp.aspx

(Appears to be signing up as a Hilton Meeting planner or something similar).

Have not tried it, but it is discussed at FT if you want more info.

 

[JohnK]

Indeed. It's a new Hilton Racing year isn't it? They are so disorganised etc that I doubt they even have a clue what is going on.

I just resigned with my HH number. Wonder if they'll send me a new card.

Do we know if the Hiloton Racing Fast Track will work again if you have already earned HHonors Gold once before?

(Appears to be signing up as a Hilton Meeting planner or something similar).

Have not tried it, but it is discussed at FT if you want more info.

I can easily have 4 stays in the 90 days leading up to Ozfest. For anyone who has read the Flyertalk thread what is the success rate for Australian based HHonors members?

 

[serfty]

Seems quite successful.

Just make sure you re-register via telephone after registering on-line.

 

[anat0l]

I still have to lose status first, which means I can only start racing again at the end of March.

Bit of a bummer since I have a Hilton stay coming up in March.

I wasn't considering Hilton status much although the benefits are quite nice (still marginal about HPC/Mac Bank Hilton, although qualifying for a Plat Visa might just kill off my chances anyway), plus if I am going to the US later this year they are crawling with Hilton group properties......