Current Hilton Honors offers

[Mwenenzi]

... including 6 nights with Paris Hilton.....

What did Mrs drron think of that ? A 6 night stay in the Paris Hilton would, no doubt be a pleasant stay.

 

[dajop]

As a self funded traveller most Hilton properties are out of my price range.

Don't know what your budget is like, but I found that sometimes Hiltons are surprisingly not that expensive, particularly in parts of Asia. Also in Asia (except for Mumbai) I have been really looked after as a Gold member, with upgrade to exec floor, fantastic pre dinner canapies & drinks (including coughtails at several hotels) and good breakfasts. Very worthwhile (also redeemed Hhonors points in Paris & Amsterdam and it was fantastic).

On the downside, Gold doesn't seem to be worth that much in the US (I guess there are many golds there), either that or the fact that my budget in the US only lets me stay at the lesser Hiltons (certainly not Hilton Times Square at $400USD p.n!!)

 

[JohnK]

Don't know what your budget is like, but I found that sometimes Hiltons are surprisingly not that expensive, particularly in parts of Asia.

Budget depends on circumstances. If I know the area well then I am happy to stay in 2-3 star properties for A$45/night as I do in Thailand.

Staying at Millenium Hilton in Bangkok can be as low as US$85+++/night. I can do this for 1 night before and after my holiday. Hilton in Singapore can be as low as SG$210+++/night. These aren't bad prices when converted to Australian dollars. When the asking price is around A$300 then it is time to look elsewhere.

 

[drron]

Hilton is a great program if you are on a driving holiday in the US and we do this at least once a year.On this trip we have stayed at 2 Hilton Garden inns for less than $US80 for the night.With free internet access and full american breakfast for 2 this is great value.
We have mainly stayed at hampton inns and most are around $US100 per night.Hamptons have lifted their game noticeably on this trip with much better beds and bedding,much better baths and all the newer properties have larger rooms.
If you are over 50 and touring the US look into joining the AARP which you can do at AARP: Health, Travel, Financial Planning, Family, Games, Volunteer, Retirement, Discounts for 50+, Boomers, Seniors
Will cost $US37.50 per year but we are saving $US10 a night at most places we are staying and over $US20 here at the Doubletree suites in washington DC.You also save 20% at all Reebok and Rockport outlets even on sale items.plus you get a discount on the US national parks pass.
Once again it is horses for courses but as we do travel so much in the US hilton wins for us.

 

[simongr]

On the downside, Gold doesn't seem to be worth that much in the US (I guess there are many golds there), either that or the fact that my budget in the US only lets me stay at the lesser Hiltons (certainly not Hilton Times Square at $400USD p.n!!)

Try the Doubletree Guest Suites on TS at US$549 on my upcoming trip - strangely my UK colleague thought that price was reasonable :shock:

I have to say that my expectations of Asian treatment of Diamond was low - a lot of reports that status wasn't really recognised. My experience on the current trip was the complete opposite - escorted to the Exec Floor at the Conrad, jasmine tea on arrival, free shirt pressing and at the Hilton Shanghai I was met at the front door from the hotel car.

Also lounge access has been great - although the Conrad closes a little early - barely in teh lounge before they shut up shop - great service though - only there three night so far in the space of a week and they already know I like a Bombay Sapphire G&T

 

[Mal]

I like the Hampton Inns. Have stayed in a few, and found them to be comfy, quality (but relatively cheap) accom. Next trip over to the states, I'm pretty much dropping Hilton and staying at Holiday Inns/Holiday Inn Express/ Crowne Plazas. Will be interesting as some of the Holiday Inns are of unknown quality and I'm finding it hard to find 'good' reviews on some of the ones I'm hoping to stay at.

Re NYC prices - they are a complete joke. Keep going up and up. It's sad when you see Hampton Inns at over $US300 per night. Even the airport one was wanting to charge me nearly $US300 Inc taxes for my next stay at JFK. Trying to avoid NYC now. Perhaps next time I'm over, I'll stay in Jersey and catch the subway/train in for the few minute trip, or save up points and go for an award. Not really sure though.

 

[dajop]

Perhaps next time I'm over, I'll stay in Jersey and catch the subway/train in for the few minute trip, or save up points and go for an award. Not really sure though.

When I was there about 12 mths ago, stayed at Hilton Newark, directly opposite Newark RS (PATH/NJ Transit), 20 minutes from Penn Station. Slight inconvenience but for just over $100 USD pn was fantastic rate compared to prices in Manhattan. This year (same weekend) is rate has more than doubled so people must be catching on.

 

[drron]

I like the Hampton Inns. Have stayed in a few, and found them to be comfy, quality (but relatively cheap) accom. Next trip over to the states, I'm pretty much dropping Hilton and staying at Holiday Inns/Holiday Inn Express/ Crowne Plazas. Will be interesting as some of the Holiday Inns are of unknown quality and I'm finding it hard to find 'good' reviews on some of the ones I'm hoping to stay at.

Re NYC prices - they are a complete joke. Keep going up and up. It's sad when you see Hampton Inns at over $US300 per night. Even the airport one was wanting to charge me nearly $US300 Inc taxes for my next stay at JFK. Trying to avoid NYC now. Perhaps next time I'm over, I'll stay in Jersey and catch the subway/train in for the few minute trip, or save up points and go for an award. Not really sure though.

Everything in NYC is expensive.When the Mildew(milford)Plaza can charge over $US200 per night the Hampton is good value at $300.Middle of summer and Jan,feb are the cheapest times.Booked at DT suites TS in Jan for $US220.I am for once glad i did something stupid and bought into the hilton Club a few years ago.costs me $A200 a night for a 1 bedroom suite in NYC for the next 25 years.

 

[simongr]

Booked at DT suites TS in Jan for $US220.

How do you rate the DT Suites? I am planning our 1 week visit to NYC next July and am wondering which of the properties to go for - I am HHonors Diamond. Any recommendations?

 

[QF WP]

Also note that you should see the challenge in your "Rolling Tier" for Gold on the HHonors website.

Thanks Mal, I didn't know about this. After checking my Tier Wizard, looks like I need to ring HHonors and have a chat. I signed up in early August to Hilton Racing (have email confirming my kit sould be sent in 4-6 weeks). First stay (of required 4) was CNS on 17 & 18 August. Stays 2 and 3 are next week (PER & ADL), so I will want to get that confirmed before my final stay in a couple of weeks.

 

[drron]

How do you rate the DT Suites? I am planning our 1 week visit to NYC next July and am wondering which of the properties to go for - I am HHonors Diamond. Any recommendations?

July except for the 4th is usually reasonably priced.The DT suites is good in that you get a suite and you are in the middle of the tourist action.A bit dated but also the quietest hotel I have been in in NYC.As diamond you will get a high floor and full American breakfast.
NY Hilton.A big barn with little recognition and rarely lounge access.We stay on the Hilton Club floors which are good and have their own lounge.Sometimes available to diamonds but pricey.
Waldorf-was not impressed with my one stay which was as a diamond.apparently only decent rooms if you have stayed many times.I will not be finding out.occasionally though you will see a reasonable price at the Waldorf Towers which is said to be much better.
Doubletree Lexington-The noisiest hotel I have stayed at in NYC.Only use if a really cheap price.
I have not stayed at the Millenium Hilton but reports on FT suggest good diamond recognition.Reports of hilton TS also seem to be good but again I have not stayed there.
Will be in NYC from 25th of this month.

 

[simongr]

Thanks for that - I have a week at the DTS in TS starting Friday evening and based on your comments and few others I think I will be booking the DTS in TS for next year - subject to this trip of course

 

[QF WP]

Mine didn't post automatically either, so I rang HHonors and they said to email to Member Services - which I also copied to [email protected]

Let's see what happens and how long it takes....

Thanks Mal, I didn't know about this. After checking my Tier Wizard, looks like I need to ring HHonors and have a chat. I signed up in early August to Hilton Racing (have email confirming my kit sould be sent in 4-6 weeks). First stay (of required 4) was CNS on 17 & 18 August. Stays 2 and 3 are next week (PER & ADL), so I will want to get that confirmed before my final stay in a couple of weeks.

 

[Febs]

I had an interesting experience with my Hilton Racing fast track to Gold.

Completed 4 stays within 3 months of enrolment (kept the enrolment letter as proof of the date) - all single nights at Hampton Inns.

Of course the status didn't change so I rang the support line who told me I HAD to log the promotion code before completing the stays, and as such there was "no possible way" for them to give me Gold status.

I said "That's fine, but how was I to know I had to ring up and give a promotion code, when 1) There was no promotion code and 2) The letter and website made no mention of this at all?" (As always I kept my cool, but wasn't going to give in.)

I pointed her to the hiltonracing.com website, she went away to her supervisor, and came back with the same rubbish, adding "I can start you on the fast track now...but you'll have to complete 4 more stays within 90 days of today."

Finally got her to speak to a different supervisor, who actually had a clue. She came back extremely apologetically, said that someone stuffed up when I signed up for Hilton Racing and didn't enter the code against my account. 2 minutes later I had gold status and a bonus 3,000 points.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Mal]

I had an interesting experience with my Hilton Racing fast track to Gold.

This actually seems to be a fairly common experience with that fasttrack. Glad it's sorted for you

 

[serfty]

Quite a thread on FT about this -

Hilton Gold fast track nightmare - FlyerTalk Forums

(Title's a bit over the top but :shock: )

 

[QF WP]

I still haven't had any success - refer to my post on the thread mentioned by serfty.

 

[JohnK]

2 minutes later I had gold status and a bonus 3,000 points.

Bonus point for what? I hope it was for your actual hotel stays and not for the fast track Gold status not posting automatically.

I wish someone would offer me bonus points every time I was slightly inconvenienced.

 

[Febs]

Bonus point for what? I hope it was for your actual hotel stays and not for the fast track Gold status not posting automatically.

Nope, it was given as an apology for the inconvenience.

She initially offered it in conjunction with "starting the fast track from now", so I guess when we sorted it all out, she couldn't really re-neg on the offer.

Fair? Maybe not, but I'm not complaining.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[JohnK]

Fair? Maybe not, but I'm not complaining.

And I don't think anyone would expect you to complain.

But you are not the only one that was inconvenienced. A forum like AFF highlights inconsistent customer service.