Changes to Hilton Premium Club

[serfty]

Hmmm...

Hilton Hotels of Australia Pty Limited (Hilton) and Macquarie Bank Limited (Macquarie) plan to launch a Hilton-Macquarie co-branded credit card (which will include a loyalty rewards program) in Australia in or around November 2009. The annual fee for the credit card will include membership to the Hilton Premium Club, which will provide discounts off accommodation and dining and other benefits from time to time at participating hotels in Australasia.

Hilton proposes to supply or offer to supply membership to its Hilton Premium Club on the condition that the individual acquires a co branded credit card from Macquarie and activates this card.

Hmmm ... that's "acquires" - not "uses".

I'm still considering. Even if it's "Acquires" - and you do not have to use, that's still >150% markup on the group purchase price as arranged by Bill.

 

[gibspmuh]

Details of the Macquarie Rewards program can be found at Macquarie Bank Rewards - not particuarly inspiring value for points and no loyalty program partners to transfer to either.

 

[QF WP]

Yes, the specific T&C's of the Macquarie Rewards program are uninspiring (to us FF point hounds). Having yet another collection point for travel benefits will reduce the effectiveness of our other programs (as we can't ammalgamate). Details of their redemption for flights here

Hmmm, looks like oz_mark, serfty and I all have the same idea.

Of course, it will make a number of people question their Hilton Honors membership, as the annual cost for accessing HPC will increase.

One wonders whether a group (like us) contacting HPC will make any waves...and depends on what other people think similar thoughts to us. It's a pity that my contact no longer works for HPC. I wonder what discussions (if any) they had with HPC members before making the decision to change. I didn't get contacted...

Looks like I'll be looking to join a corporate scheme that I know has decent rates at Hiltons in Australia.

 

[straitman]

Looks like I'll be looking to join a corporate scheme that I know has decent rates at Hiltons in Australia.

Let us know if you find something useful.

The HPC rates are a long way cheaper than our corporate rate.

 

[oz_mark]

At best, I'll close down my Citibank card and replace with the MacBank co-branded card and use it.

May be worthwhile if you are on the $250 annual card fee with Citibank. The Citibank Rewards program (if not creditting to Qantas) is not exactly an inspiring program either.

 

[JohnK]

I'm still considering. Even if it's "Acquires" - and you do not have to use, that's still >150% markup on the group purchase price as arranged by Bill.

And looking at it in $ terms it will cost ~AUD195 more for HPC membership. I don't need another credit card and I certainly do not get that much value out of Hilton by staying there 3-4 times a year. So it is not worth it for me but I can see how some people may find it beneficial.

P.S I hope the $99 special rate cards and 20% off stay cards are still valid as I have a few of these left over....

 

[oz_mark]

P.S I hope the $99 special rate cards and 20% off stay cards are still valid as I have a few of these left over....

I wonder how the member for a stay cards will work. Do you get a credit card for the stay? LOL

 

[JohnK]

I would guess that the HPC membership benefits will remain the same including the 2 $99 special rate cards and 2 20% off member for a stay cards.

 

[straitman]

I would guess that the HPC membership benefits will remain the same including the 2 $99 special rate cards and 2 20% off member for a stay cards.

Just to clarify. The offer was always one of each per year of membership.

 

[oz_mark]

There is a press release here: http://www.hiltonpremiumclub.com/offers/Press%20Release%20Hilton%20Macquarie%20Platinum%20Card.pdf

It lists a $99 card and two guest passes.

TRAVELLERS OFFERED EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Hilton Hotels Australasia and Macquarie Bank team up to offer clients exceptional benefits with the introduction of the "Hilton Macquarie Platinum Card." [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]SYDNEY, Australia – Thursday 12th November 2009 – [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Macquarie Bank and Australia’s "Number One Hotel Brandi" Hilton have teamed up to provide exceptional benefits with the Hilton Macquarie Platinum Card. As the first co-branded credit card in Australia linked specifically to a hotel group, the card offers clients a range of valuable benefits including 20 percent off accommodation, food and beverage* at any Hilton hotel in Australasia and Macquarie Rewards Points for every dollar spent[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Courier New,Courier New][FONT=Courier New,Courier New]^[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]. [/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Alan Machet, Head of Card Services at Macquarie Bank said the Hilton Macquarie Platinum card provides great benefits for Australians who are frequent travellers. "Lifestyle benefits are increasingly in demand and the Hilton Macquarie Platinum has taken lifestyle focused rewards programs to a new level, tailored to those who have are frequent travellers, whether for business or leisure. The card offers a range of unique benefits at Hilton Hotels in addition to earning Frequent Flyer and Macquarie rewards points that can be redeemed against future travel. We’re delighted to be teaming up with Hilton Hotels who share our focus on innovation, value and service excellence."[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Arial]​

[FONT=Arial,Arial]Clients also receive 20 percent off room charges, an exclusive reward card for a $99 hotel stay** and guest passes for friends, offering 20 percent off their stay as well. Complimentary travel insurance^^, bonus partner program, purchase cover^^, extended warranty^^, personal platinum concierge service and 24/7 customer service are also features of the Hilton Macquarie Platinum Card.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Arial]Mr Ashley Spencer, Vice President - Hilton Hotels Australasia, commented "this relationship shows our ongoing commitment to our guests and our willingness to support one of our most critical customer bases, the small business owners’ community. The benefits offered by the Hilton Macquarie Platinum Card are outstanding and will help cardholders by providing renowned Hilton service at great value, backed with the financial expertise of Macquarie Bank. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Arial]Hilton and Macquarie offered frequent travellers’ advice on how to save money when travelling and how to maximise the benefits of the Hilton Macquarie Platinum Card. The top five tips are: [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial]1) Book in advance – Hilton offers great rates for advance purchase bookings up to 21 days in advance. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial]2) Book Online – With Hilton’s online best rate guarantee you’ll find the best rates are always available at Hilton.com. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial]3) Subscribe to our weekly Hilton Macquarie Platinum Card specials bulletin to keep up to date on all of our great deals. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial]4) Double and even triple dip – Earn reward points through Macquarie Bank Rewards program, as well as access to Hilton HHonors points and Airline Frequent Flyer points. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial]5) Use your Hilton Macquarie Platinum Card for everyday purchases to increase your point earning that can be redeemed for travel. [/FONT]
[/FONT]

 

[drron]

Great-pay extra for the same benefits.no thanks.
Reading that press release there was too much Brandi methinks.
""Number One Hotel Brandi" Hilton "

 

[JohnK]

Just to clarify. The offer was always one of each per year of membership.

My mistake. I thought it was 2 of each for the one year membership and they kept it the same for the 2 year membership as we were getting a significant discount.

 

[oz_mark]

Great-pay extra for the same benefits.no thanks.
Reading that press release there was too much Brandi methinks.
""Number One Hotel Brandi" Hilton "

:mrgreen: The 'i' lost its superscript formatting.

 

[oz_mark]

And looking at it in $ terms it will cost ~AUD195 more for HPC membership.

I am not sure that the offer you signed up under was still available. Certainly was not available at one point this year. So I suspect, either way, you would have been up for a higher price.

 

[straitman]

I have been a HPC member for 5 or 6 years now and they have continually 'enhanced' the benefits during that time. Due to the different type of deals we have managed I believe I have had 4 or 5 different membership numbers also so according to the books I have only ever been a member for 1 or 2 years.

 

[QF WP]

I have just had a call from one of the two Macquarie Bank CC team that are ringing HPC members to discuss the letter sent to us from HPC (and emails) announcing the tie-in. I have his direct telephone number.

You should be getting a call from either Rory (an Irishman) or Niatous (it's a he, not sure where he's from). Rory was happy for me to report our discusions and it seems that he has spoken to a number of you already. I discussed that there were a number of negatives that we had discussed here, mainly:

Negatives
1. Increase in membership from previous $200 year AFF rate (he said that $275 was the rate for HPC members transferring and $295 was for new applicants - as per email from Robin Waters)
2. Lack of a transfer of Macquarie Rewards points to other programs (dimunition of overall FF benefits).
3. For some, the lack of need in applying for another CC (it requires Macquarie to contact accountant to verify income).

I am ambivilent about point 1, as I stay enough at Hiltons to still have the annual fee still worthwhile (I wasn't part of the AFF deal). Point 2 is my biggest sticking point. point 3 is okay for me, as I could get rid of Citibank but they credit to QFF, so that's a benefit for retaining). Getting rid of 2 cards in my wallet to 1 is of no huge concern

I'm still of the opinion that I'll be seeing the annual fee as being the HPC cost and not using the card (as per previous discussions).

He was going to take point 1 back to discuss with Robin Waters (not that I'd expect a sweetner). Of course he was trying to counter point 2 with their "any time, any flight, any airline policy" (in the T&C's) as well as the travel insurance (I countered with the fact that I have a corporate annual travel policy which gives me better coverage for less cost).

An impasse, but he is sending me the email to sign up. I'll consider...

 

[QF WP]

I do know of two that are useful, but not sure that others here can access either of them

Let us know if you find something useful.

The HPC rates are a long way cheaper than our corporate rate.

 

[QF WP]

Copy of email from Macquarie Card Services:

Thank you for your application for a Hilton Macquarie Platinum Card.

To allow us to process your application, we require to you to:

• confirm that you would like us to proceed with your application for a credit card; and
• consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information as set out in our Privacy Consent below.
• Confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to the Balance Transfers Terms and Conditions as set out below.
  You can do that by simply reading and understanding the privacy consent, Balance Transfers Terms and Conditions and declaration below. ......

You can confirm all of this by simply replying “YES” to this email. As soon as we receive this confirmation, we will gladly process your request.

If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please reply directly to this email or contact us on 1 300 150 300 .

Declaration

By replying YES (or in the affirmative to this email) you confirm -
1. You are an Australian resident aged 18 years or over;
2. You have read and agreed to the Privacy Consent and Loan Transfer Terms and Conditions below;
3. You are liable for all debts incurred by an Additional Cardholder;
4. You authorise your employer/accountant to provide income details to Macquarie Bank or its representatives for the purpose of assessing this application;
5. This application is for personal use;
6 . The information you have given in this application is truthful and complete

Privacy consent – Permission to obtain, use and disclose personal (including credit) information
Macquarie Bank Limited (ABN 46 008 583 542) (us or we) is the issuer of your credit card account.

Personal information

How we may use your personal information

You authorise us and any of our agents and service providers to collect, use and disclose, now or in the future, within or outside of Australia, any of the following information about you as set out in this permission:
• personal details such as your name, current and previous address, date of birth, sex, driver’s licence number and occupation; and
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• personal information we generate about you, transaction and related details and rewards points and related information.
We do this for the purposes of, and as is reasonably necessary to assist in:
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We and our agents and service providers may disclose your personal information:
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• if required, obliged or permitted by law.

If you do not give us the above information, we may not be able to process your credit card application or provide you with an appropriate level of service.

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We may disclose to the holder of an additional card on your account information relating to your account and its operation, including your account
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the Privacy Act, including:
• assessing your application for consumer or commercial credit, assessing your credit worthiness, managing your loan or the arrangements under which your loan is funded, or collecting overdue payments;
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below and (iv) not providing that information may result in your application being rejected.

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BT Terms and Conditions

1. BTs from your Account to any other Macquarie Bank account are excluded. Foreign currency BTs and BTs to offshore accounts are also excluded.
2. BTs will not be processed until you have activated your Account. We will transfer the balances specified by you to your Account, in full, subject to your available credit limit. Should your BT request exceed your available credit limit, we will contact you to receive further instructions to enable us to process your request.
3. Repayments to your Account are applied to BTs first and are treated as a Special Promotion under your Account Terms and Conditions, with balances subject to a lower interest rate being paid off first. BTs will attract interest from the date of transfer. BTs do not qualify for Reward points.
4. Please allow 5 days from the date your Account is activated for transfers to be finalised. You should continue to make payments on your other accounts, in accordance with their Terms and Conditions, until you receive a statement from them confirming that your account has been credited. We will not be responsible for any payments (overdue or otherwise) or any interest incurred on your other accounts. Any remaining balances on those accounts after the BT are your responsibility

 

[serfty]

I could deal with getting the card - if I did not have to use it for Hilton stays to get the HPC benefits. If that would indeed be necessary then no dice.

That is the one Question I need answered.

 

[oz_mark]

I could deal with getting the card - if I did not have to use it for Hilton stays to get the HPC benefits. If that would be necessary then no dice.

That is the one Question I need answered.

For pre-auth, yes. For actual payment, no.