Hilton Diamond and VA - Why is it so hard?

[Buzzard]

+1 is really getting the run-a-round trying to get a VA HH status match. An email from HH goes so far as to say they will not do it but will reduce the number of stays required. Given this is meant to be a benefit, I can't believe how difficult it is

 

[Danger]

I'm about ready to push the button on my upgrade.

However, I recall that the time of pushing the button is important.

Is there any benefit in waiting until 1 April, or now that 1 March has come along is that enough to take my status through until 3/2017.

 

[Aggi]

I also called Velocity today hoping my diamond status match could be hurried along as i have a Hilton stay booked for next week, but was told there was nothing they could do as 20 days haven't passed since i logged the request, very disappointed. Didn't think it would take so lomg to process otherwise would have logged the request earlier. Has anyone else had any success in getting their application processed more quickly? I already have a Hilton Honours account.

 

[pauly7]

After 30 days I started ringing daily and elevating to the highest person on the phones at the time.

Along the way was blatantly lied to, fobbed off etc but with the Virgin call centre there is only one way to get anything you want, take down names and keep asking for more senior people. It's the only way!

 

[serfty]

...

Is there any benefit in waiting until 1 April, or now that 1 March has come along is that enough to take my status through until 3/2017.

From anecdotes, if you are not already Diamond then invoking the benefit after Jan 1st should provide for status for that two years.
If already Diamond but dropping status at the end of March then waiting for the April lowering seems the way to have the best chance of getting the benefit for those two years.

 

[Danger]

From anecdotes, if you are not already Diamond then invoking the benefit after Jan 1st should provide for status for that two years.
If already Diamond but dropping status at the end of March then waiting for the April lowering seems the way to have the best chance of getting the benefit for those two years.

Interesting. Coming from Gold, I hit the upgrade button on 11 March after this advice from Princess Fiona here. I'll have to wait until the card arrives to see how long status is for.

 

[Denali]

Just to update, I made Hilton bookings via Agoda and on checkin/showing Diamond card, got the Diamond benefits of room upgrade, free wifi, bottles of water and lounge access (breakfast in SF was good).

Very nice bonuses so worth nagging VA/Hilton for the HHonors benefits.

 

[Moopere]

I waited until I dropped to Silver in April then hit the button, was 6th Apr by the time I saw the change to silver on the hh site. Was disappointed to see that I can't even whinge for 20 days and certainly, 22nd today, there is no sign of anything from anyone. Reading the posts in this thread are pretty disappointing as I have a bunch of stays coming up in late May and Jun/Jul.

 

[Lizzi]

Another data point here - I pressed the button 32 business days ago (6 1/2 weeks), rang Velocity four days ago, and they said "wait a few more days". I contacted VFF on FB last night to ask if they could escalate, and they said "what did the call centre say?" I replied saying they had said to wait a few more days. They then said to wait a few extra days! This is getting ridiculous.

 

[mlob]

Lizzi. I am right behind you on 30 days ago I pressed the button. Still waiting here too.

 

[jackthomas]

I get really confused about how badly organised the Hilton and VA Partnerships is ( I never had any issues, but everyone else I know has haha)
The other elite partner,being the car companies.. I selected Europcar, with the intention of putting it under a family members name who often hires cars, as I never do..

This is not allowed but I still have Europcar emailing me every few days for a few months reminding me to complete my member profile at the request of Virgin.

Hilton could take a hint out of their books.

 

[Moopere]

Per my post above, made the request 6th April, waited until I saw my status drop to silver on the HH site before doing this. 7th May called Velocity which apparently went nowhere despite assurances the problem would be followed up. Called again 18th May, was told to wait 2 more days (and during this call it became clear my 7th May call was without value). Called again today (21st), told to wait until the end of the week (22nd) but just got a confirmation call back that I had been upgraded last night. Checked HH site and yes, Gold until MAR 2017.

After this experience my take is that you have to hammer Velocity. I didn't and therefore had to wait and wait. The result seems worth the effort though, 21 months of gold.

 

[Lizzi]

Another data point here - I pressed the button 32 business days ago (6 1/2 weeks), rang Velocity four days ago, and they said "wait a few more days". I contacted VFF on FB last night to ask if they could escalate, and they said "what did the call centre say?" I replied saying they had said to wait a few more days. They then said to wait a few extra days! This is getting ridiculous.

After reminding the FB rep that I had already waited the required "few extra days", they said they would follow up.
Just checked hhonors and it's managed to make the jump. Phew! Can book my stays now...

 

[mlob]

I followed up with facebook rep as well and gladly say Im now Diamond. They messaged me to say it had been carried out so I think they did actually follow it up.

 

[Sunburnt]

Opted in on the 7th of June, and no joy whatsoever yet - I make that 25 business days. Overseas at the moment for work, so calling Virgin not really an option, and need to decide on a few upcoming bookings at the end of July. Would like to choose Hilton for that but without the upgrade & especially lounge access, not happening. Glad to see it is not just me, but mystified as to why it is so hard?