Changes to Hilton Premium Club

[JohnK]

I received a 9 month reminder email and some other email. I may end up taking the Macquarie Platinum Card if I am offerd one for the low interest rate for 6 months. The interest I save will take care of at least the first 1-2 years membership and can review the card after this time.

Well I have been unable to book $99 rates at south wharf,MEL airport,On the park.Sydney,Brisbane,Adelaide-all multiple times.Guess I just want to travel at popular times though at Sydney couldnt get Friday to Sunday nights virtually every weekend January to March this year.

I have managed to use my $99 rate cards 3-4 times already (and each one was a qualifying stay with HHonors points and VS miles) and I also gave a couple away. Still have 2 at home somewhere but I cannot find them.

Try Sydney the night before Good Friday.

Try Melbourne Airport and Hilton of the Park for the Anzac weekend.

 

[straitman]

Well I have been unable to book $99 rates at south wharf,MEL airport,On the park.Sydney,Brisbane,Adelaide-all multiple times.Guess I just want to travel at popular times though at Sydney couldnt get Friday to Sunday nights virtually every weekend January to March this year.

Interesting.

Auckland is often quite hard to get the $99 ($NZ113) rate but it is available for tomorrow night if we needed it. Everywhere else seems quite heavinly booked and expensive.

 

[Danger]

The latest HPC offers email has some interesting news:

"Service Charge - Credit Card payments relating to Australian hotels incur a merchant service fee of 1.5% in addition to the total amount payable from March 1, 2010."
​

Unbelievable. First they insist you get the Macquarie credit card then they throw in a surcharge for using it. Very disappointing.

 

[QF WP]

Well, I get to use my Macquarie Hilton card (for HPC benefits) when stayig in Adelaide in 2 weeks. Let's see what happens (will post experience to the relevant Hilton thread).

Was trying to stay at the Perth Hilton as well, but too expensive on un night (even after 20% discount) and booked out on the Monday.

 

[serfty]

It seems all Oz Hiltons introduced this from Mar 1st.

Interestingly, for bookings made before then there was no mention on the website, so if one is persistent they may be able to avoid the fee in those cases.

 

[QF WP]

The latest HPC offers email has some interesting news:

"Service Charge - Credit Card payments relating to Australian hotels incur a merchant service fee of 1.5% in addition to the total amount payable from March 1, 2010."
​

Unbelievable. First they insist you get the Macquarie credit card then they throw in a surcharge for using it. Very disappointing.

Who says we're going to be using their card for the charges? I'm going to change to my preferred Amex on check-out. The only benefit I see with the MacqHilton Visa is the HPC access. Don't want to give them a cent more than I can help

 

[serfty]

Who says we're going to be using their card for the charges? I'm going to change to my preferred Amex on check-out. The only benefit I see with the MacqHilton Visa is the HPC access. Don't want to give them a cent more than I can help

NUP, Oz Hiltons seems to have started charging 1.5% for all CC's. :-|

Nothing directly to do with Maq PC.

Hilton Sydney new 1.5% CC fee - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[QF WP]

NUP, Oz Hiltons have now started charging 1.5% for all CC's. :-|

Nothing directly to do with Maq PC.

I knew that, but I was just stating (poorly) that I would rather give my spend to Amex than Macquarie (nothing to do with FF points going to a worthwhile program)

 

[JohnK]

Who says we're going to be using their card for the charges? I'm going to change to my preferred Amex on check-out. The only benefit I see with the MacqHilton Visa is the HPC access. Don't want to give them a cent more than I can help

That is fine for flexible bookings.

How are you going to pay for advance bookings? Or don't people bother with advance bookings and the ~10% discount on flexible bookings?

 

[oz_mark]

That is fine for flexible bookings.

How are you going to pay for advance bookings? Or don't people bother with advance bookings and the ~10% discount on flexible bookings?

If it's like other chains, there are no CC charges when making an Advance Booking (and if there were, as you have to pay them by CC, they would have to be included in the rate, as SQ does with its airfares)

 

[Flashback]

Well, I get to use my Macquarie Hilton card (for HPC benefits) when stayig in Adelaide in 2 weeks. Let's see what happens (will post experience to the relevant Hilton thread).

Was trying to stay at the Perth Hilton as well, but too expensive on un night (even after 20% discount) and booked out on the Monday.

Works out well, IC is not too far from my place at all

 

[JohnK]

If it's like other chains, there are no CC charges when making an Advance Booking (and if there were, as you have to pay them by CC, they would have to be included in the rate, as SQ does with its airfares)

Yes that is another benefit of advance hotel bookings.

I actually meant how do you get around the condition of using the Macquarie Credit Card to secure the booking and it is an advance rate? In this instance can you use a card other than a Macquarie credit card with HPC membership?

 

[QF WP]

That is fine for flexible bookings.

How are you going to pay for advance bookings? Or don't people bother with advance bookings and the ~10% discount on flexible bookings?

I don't normally book advance purchase as my trips are planned within a week of going, so flex fares suit me. This trip to PER/ADL is abnormal - have been able to get all my clients to agree to dates/times 3 weeks out.

Having said that, I've found a new rate at the CP Perth "Travellers Choice" for my first night (Sunday). It's my first stay at this property, so will be interesting to compare with other CP's I've stayed. It was also $175 cheaper than Hilton for that night.

My second night, Hilton booked out. IainF made me aware of "Family & Friends" rate for IC Burswood - which saves me $140 on next cheapest option.

Adelaide is a Hilton booking - my clients are all close by and rate (after 20% discount) is within my budget.

 

[oz_mark]

I have managed to use $99 rates at Hilton Perth and Sydney.

I also received the above e-mail, and am awaiting my free wine/breakfast vouchers...... although I think the validity will expire before I get to use them.

I did use 2 of said vouchers on the weekend just passed though

I received my voucher today. They are just reusing the referral vouchers - not going to complain though!

 

[Flashback]

I received my voucher today. They are just reusing the referral vouchers - not going to complain though!

I thought that would be the case. What's the expiry on them? I had quite a good run with my referral vouchers...

 

[oz_mark]

I thought that would be the case. What's the expiry on them? I had quite a good run with my referral vouchers...

They've given me until 30/06/2010.

 

[Flashback]

They've given me until 30/06/2010.

Excellent. A bottle of wine I shall have at Oz Fest 7 then

 

[oz_mark]

Excellent. A bottle of wine I shall have at Oz Fest 7 then

I may be doing the sams, as my upcoming stays have breakfast included

 

[Flashback]

I may be doing the same, as my upcoming stays have breakfast included

Ditto, hence the choice of wine

 

[QF WP]

Thanks for posting that you got your vouchers, oz_mark. I hopefully will get mine soon as well. As I've only 1 booking before ozfest (ADL in 10 days), then I may save until ozfest as well.