Changes to Hilton Premium Club

[Danger]

I've had the second follow up telephone call from my contact regarding whether I want to take up their offer. Still haven't returned the call (in case they come up with a deal subsequently).

It could be argued that now the Conrads are no longer part of the program, it too has been devalued. Yes, I acknowledge they only joined recently but their removal at this point in time, when the membership fee is increasing so much, is pertinent I feel.

 

[straitman]

After prompting them this morning I received an email response this afternoon which stated:

Thank you for your email.

At present we are not offering corporate credit cards under the new program, however we will be looking into this at a later stage.

Please let us know if you require further assistance.

Kind regards,
Hilton Macquarie Platinum Card
Tel: 1800 251 600 (Aus) or 0800 447 778 (Nzl)
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.hiltonmacquarie.com

I replied to hiltonmacquarie with the following:

Thank you for your response.

I trust that you looked at the link I forwarded to you. Here it is again! http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...o-hilton-premium-club-20120-2.html#post280601 with Post #62 being a copy of your reply and also this email.

Without any type of group inducement, I can see that there is a good chance of losing a considerable number of our twenty members group and some of our other individual members when our renewals are due. I also notice that the Hilton Lake Taupo does not have any specials for December, which combined with the withdrawal of the Conrad hotels makes the program considerably less attractive.

Please note we are not looking for corporate credit cards as each member would have to prove their own eligibility for your Credit Card but we are looking for an applicable composite discount rate for our group. Please let me know as soon as you have any sort of appropriate group or corporate arrangement available.

Regards,

 

[JohnK]

I guess I have mellowed a little to the idea of Macquarie taking over the HPC but I still see $295 as expensive. Especially when the Macquarie card does not have to be used to make the payment.

It would appear that the changes to Hilton Premium Club are signigicant and do not warrant the new membership.

Has anyone on AFF joined the new HPC? I think our "Old" corporate membership expires in April. I still have a number of $99 rate cards and 20% member for a stay cards. Should I use these before April 2010 or can these still be used after that date?

 

[QF WP]

I got the following email yesterday:

Convert your Hilton Premium Club membership and receive more rewards and privileges.
Dear Mr Wilson,
We recently wrote to you to inform you of the changes to your Hilton Premium Club membership.
As the Hilton Premium Club is about to close, we would like to invite you again to be one of the first to enjoy our new program, which will give all the benefits you currently experience, now with the added benefits of a Macquarie Platinum Card.

Save when you stay at Hilton Hotels in Australasia​

Earn when you pay with your Visa Platinum Card​

• 20% off accommodation and room charge*
• 20% off at restaurants and bars*
• stay for one night a year for just $99**
• two complimentary Guest Passes***
• continue to earn Hilton HHonors and Frequent Flyer points on stays

• earn 1.25 Macquarie reward points for every AU$1 you spend at or outside of Hilton Hotels^
• redeem points in an extensive range of categories including flights on all major airlines°
• complimentary domestic and international travel insuranceΔ

To ensure you don't miss out on this member only offer ($275 pa, normally $295pa), please update your membership now and enter in your unique customer code .................


We hope you'll find the Hilton Macquarie Platinum Card an even more rewarding experience, and we look forward to welcoming you on your next visit to Hilton.

Robin Watters Alan Machet
Regional Director of Sales Australasia Head of Macquarie Cards
Hilton Sales Worldwide
The Hilton Macquarie Platinum Card is issued by Macquarie Card Services, a division of Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 which provides and administers credit. Approval is subject to Macquarie Card Services credit criteria. Terms and Conditions apply and are available upon request. An annual fee, currently $275 for the Primary Card, and $195 for each Additional Card applies. Other fees and charges may apply. Allow up to 10 working days to process your application. Interest rates are variable, subject to change and Macquarie Card Services credit criteria. The standard interest rate is currently 18.95%pa for purchases and 19.95%pa for cash advances. * 20 per cent off any published, promotional, weekend or seasonal accommodation rate; room charges include hotel facilities/services only; Australasia includes Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and French Polynesia. ** Valid at Hilton Hotels in Australia in a Hilton Guest Room, room only; no further discounts apply. Subject to availability. Card is not transferable and must be presented to redeem benefits. Card is not replaceable if lost or stolen. Card cannot be used back-to-back unless there are two individual memberships. Card cannot be used in conjunction with any other marketing offers unless specified. Valid for 12 months from issue of membership. This rate is not eligible for Hilton HHonors points or airline miles. *** A guest pass can be passed on to friends, family or colleagues, and entitles the holder to the same discounts as a member. Full membership terms and conditions apply. Guest pass holder must be staying at a participating Hilton Hotel in Australasia to receive the restaurant and bar discount. Card is valid for one room and for the duration of stay. ^Up to $200,000 annually. Rewards are subject to the Macquarie Bank Rewards Program Terms and Conditions. Reward points are not earned on cash advances or balance transfers. Δ International Travel Insurance, Purchase Protection Insurance and Extended Warranty Cover are underwritten by ACE Insurance Limited (ABN 23 001 642 020, AFSL No. 239687) and are subject to the Terms and Conditions and exclusions contained in the policy of insurance between Macquarie Bank and ACE. ° Subject to availability. Flights must be booked through MyChoice Travel and are subject to MyChoice terms and conditions. Internet direct airlines (except Jetstar and Virgin Blue) and airlines that do not offer electronic ticketing cannot be booked via MyChoice Travel. MyChoice Travel is operated by Pinpoint Travel Group Pty Ltd License No. 2TA002974. Booking fees may apply.

 

[straitman]

Lindsay,

I have a similar email (as no doubt do many) but I also have another slightly more encouraging email that arrived today. I'll give you a call on Tuesday after I arrive back in Oz from NZ and maybe we can scratch out a way forward.

 

[Danger]

To ensure you don't miss out on this member only offer ($275 pa, normally $295pa), please update your membership now and enter in your unique customer code .................

Linsday, I'm confused. What's the special offer?

 

[serfty]

Linsday, I'm confused. What's the special offer?

A reduced annual fee (once off?)

($275 pa, normally $295pa)

 

[serfty]

Lindsay,

I have a similar email (as no doubt do many) but I also have another slightly more encouraging email that arrived today. I'll give you a call on Tuesday after I arrive back in Oz from NZ and maybe we can scratch out a way forward.

I note the following from Lindsay's pasted email:

... An annual fee, currently $275 for the Primary Card, and $195 for each Additional Card applies ...

 

[Danger]

According to correspondence from HPC, the $275 fee is for all renewals; $295 for new members.

 

[QF WP]

Linsday, I'm confused. What's the special offer?

And I'm confused about your confusion :shock:.

If you were relating your confusion to the "special offer' annual cost, then I don't understand, as this level (of cost) has been repeated in many of the emails here. Nothing new, so how could you be confused?

If your confusion relates to the unique code - that's not a special offer, rather a link which no doubt had my embedded details in it and will probably send me to a (pre-completed) application form.

Please allay our confusion

 

[Danger]

Linsday, my confusion relates to the email you received from HPC saying 'to take advantage of this special offer . . .' But I can't see anything in that email that is 'special'. As I posted, I understand the $275 rate is the renewal fee which, to me, is not a special offer but the offer for all renewals.

What's special?

 

[QF WP]

Hmmm, it stated a "member only offer" in the email, so I suppose that equates to your "special offer" Danger...I'm sure they think we are "special" because it's a discount to their usual cost.

I'm still waiting for the email response that straitman received before commiting. Did get another phone call from the Macquarie contact this morning, so may ring him anyway for a chat.

 

[Danger]

I'd be more than happy to call Rory at Macquarie to ask about a corporate membership in an attempt to put some pressure from various angles if anyone thinks that would help.

 

[QF WP]

That is what I am hoping straitman's email may be about. Rory mentioned in my conversation with him yesterday that Robin Watters and Alan Marchet had been in discussion about it, but as the corporate deal was for a program that is now wrapped up as part of a CC, I can't see Macquarie wanting to get involved with discounting a portion of their "program".

Rory did agree that the loss of Conrads did reduce the effectiveness of the program. Again, nothing he can do about it.

Perhaps if the Gold Coast Hilton ever does get back on track...that would help

 

[Danger]

I sent this email to HPC this morning:

I have been a member of the Hilton Premium Club since April 2008 when I took advantage of a corporate rate of just under $200 for two years.

I am concerned that the new rate of $275 for one year is a very significant increase on this. The credit card benefits provided by Macquarie are benefits I (and I suspect many others) already receive from existing cards, somewhat negating that value.

Could you please advise whether a corporate rate is negotiable once my membership comes up for renewal in April.
​

A short time ago I got this reply:

Thank you for your enquiry. The rate of $200.00 that was offered to our members and new memners in 2008 was a special that we offered for that year only. Every year previously and after until now has been an annual fee of $275.00. Hilton has not had a rise in the rate for over 5 years.

In relation to you query about the benefits, no other hotel chain or
financial institution offer the benefits that the Hilton Macquarie
Platinum Card offers its member in one card. It is an Australian
first. Going forward this is the way that the Hilton Premium Club go; being rebranded as Hilton Macquaire Platinum Card.

I hope this answers all your queiers and if we can be of any further
assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.
​

So bye, bye corporate rate.

 

[straitman]

Yesterday Lindsay Wilson and I had a lengthy discussion about the various options.

We are both moving forward independently and comparing notes as we go. Whilst it does not look wonderful at this time there is still some ground to move and the more variations to responses that we get from HPC the better as it gives us a little manoeuvring room.

 

[QF WP]

I had a look at this over the weekend and decided that it was marginally worth me getting the card (based on my assumption that I would extract sufficient value from the card cost, when staying 6 nights at the 20% discount offered). I had 13 nights this year (and have similar next year), so I can justify the cost of the card ($275 this year). Of course, I intend not to actually use the card for any purchases, rather change to my preferred card at check-out.

So I've applied for my MacHilton card this morning online. It's a 2 page form, seems to not ask for a lot of information on financials. I thought I was told that they want to contact my accountant, but there was no information in the form to supply their details.

Let's see what their processing is like :shock:.

 

[markis10]

Perhaps if the Gold Coast Hilton ever does get back on track...that would help

It is pretty advanced now that Multiplex are running the show after taking over from Raptis:

"Orchid Tower is expected to be completed by late 2011 and will feature 224 two, three and four bedroom residences and a 169 room Hilton hotel."

Thats was from the PR piece on Dec 7:

http://surfersparadiseresidences.com/pdf/media/Hilton-Interior-Design.pdf​

 

[QF WP]

Thanks markis10, that was an excellent piece that I hadn't seen. I'll be on the Gold Coast next week for 3 nights, so intend checking out the building site.

 

[QF WP]

So I've applied for my MacHilton card this morning online. It's a 2 page form, seems to not ask for a lot of information on financials. I thought I was told that they want to contact my accountant, but there was no information in the form to supply their details.

Let's see what their processing is like :shock:.

Well, they are uick on getting me into the database and starting the emails from MacqHilton regarding the Hilton offers - got my first one today about the Sydney Hilton offer (not that I am ever going to take them up as I hate the property).