Hilton Macquarie Visa Card

[QF WP]

Straitman, I had exactly the same issue with Airport Holton on check-in Wednesday night. Told him that it was against Trade Practices to force me to use a particular card as they accept all types (Amex, MCard etc). Told him the only reason I took up another credit card was the HPC benefits and I have absolutely no desire to put any charges to it other than the annual fee. Told him if he was going to enforce that crazy rule, I will change any future bookings to the Holiday Inn. He backed down.

Had no troubles on check-out, other than HPC discount hadn't been deducted so had to show the card - but they happily debited the nett cost to my Amex. I can't understand why the Night Staff can't process those transactions so it shows by the time they slide the Express Check Out envelopes under the door, because it means I can't use it.

Had less issues at South Wharf, other than the girl in Exec Lounge forgot to process discount, so she had to refund the 20% in cash. Happy with that, more HH points.

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[straitman]

Re: Changes to Hilton Premium Club

Straitman, I had exactly the same issue with Airport Holton on check-in Wednesday night. Told him that it was against Trade Practices to force me to use a particular card as they accept all types (Amex, MCard etc). Told him the only reason I took up another credit card was the HPC benefits and I have absolutely no desire to put any charges to it other than the annual fee. Told him if he was going to enforce that crazy rule, I will change any future bookings to the Holiday Inn. He backed down.

Had no troubles on check-out, other than HPC discount hadn't been deducted so had to show the card - but they happily debited the nett cost to my Amex. I can't understand why the Night Staff can't process those transactions so it shows by the time they slide the Express Check Out envelopes under the door, because it means I can't use it.

Had less issues at South Wharf, other than the girl in Exec Lounge forgot to process discount, so she had to refund the 20% in cash. Happy with that, more HH points.

Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly

Thanks LW.

I'll include your experience when I 'discuss' this with them.

 

[Danger]

Re: Changes to Hilton Premium Club

My experience reflects others'. Earlier this week I phoned the Hilton Cairns to make an AP reservation. I gave the lady my full Macquarie card number to verifty eligibility, she told me what the new (less 20%) was and then asked what credit card I would like to pay with! (As an aside, it may well have been noted but the 1.5% credit card surcharge Hilton introduced a few months back doesn't apply to AP bookings as a credit card is the only method of payment.)

 

[straitman]

Re: Changes to Hilton Premium Club

My experience reflects others'. Earlier this week I phoned the Hilton Cairns to make an AP reservation. I gave the lady my full Macquarie card number to verifty eligibility, she told me what the new (less 20%) was and then asked what credit card I would like to pay with! (As an aside, it may well have been noted but the 1.5% credit card surcharge Hilton introduced a few months back doesn't apply to AP bookings as a credit card is the only method of payment.)

It appears, thus far that Melbourne Airport Hilton is the only one that seems to have an issue.

 

[oz_mark]

Re: Changes to Hilton Premium Club

Told him that it was against Trade Practices to force me to use a particular card as they accept all types (Amex, MCard etc).

While they could have applied to the ACCC to allow them to behave in such a way, they did not. Indeed, in the notification to the ACCC about the proposed behaviour in relation to the operation of the card they explicitly stated that payment on the card was not required.

See the pdf linked from this page (Hilton Hotels of Australia Pty Limited - Notification - N94280) for a description of their proposed behaviour. The second paragraph is quite explicit about the behaviour with regard to the use of the card in the hotels.

 

[Danger]

Re: Changes to Hilton Premium Club

That's gold, oz_mark. Sounds like travellers planning on dropping in at the Hilton Melbourne Airport should print out the first few pages to take with them.

 

[QF WP]

Re: Changes to Hilton Premium Club

oz_mark, that document will now be in my FF bag and taken to all future bookings. Priceless :idea:.

anat0l and others, I too have 3 MFAS cards gathering dust, if you are ever in need of one. I think kpc could avail himself of one.

 

[serfty]

... (Hilton Hotels of Australia Pty Limited - Notification - N94280) for a description of their proposed behaviour. The second paragraph is quite explicit about the behaviour with regard to the use of the card in the hotels.

Thanks for that Mark.

Fwiw, para 6.(a)(1) is far more specific, not having the "pre-authorization rider" (which might confuse):

Consumers are not forced to acquire a Co-branded Credit Card in order to purchase hotel services from Hilton. Further, holders of a Co-branded Credit Card are not required to pay for the hotel services at Hilton with their Co-branded Credit Card in order to enjoy the benefits offered by the Hilton Premium Club.

 

[straitman]

Re: Changes to Hilton Premium Club

I was at Melbourne Airport this afternoon so I called in at the Hilton and had quite and interesting and open discussion with the Operations Manager.

He confirmed that the HPC discount does apply under all circumstances and that the situations/problems that Lindsay Wilson had should not have occurred. He is also going to look at applying the HPC discounts overnight as LW has suggested. He said that the issue with this is that people often can have other discounts such as breakfast and the like to add and so that then still requires a rework of the bill upon checkout.

He did confirm that the hotel would begin a significant work over with new carpets etc in the near future. I also suggested that it would be good if someone from the Hilton chain in Australia could represent them on AFF and he is going to take that on to management.

Overall it was a worthwhile discussion in both directions IMHO.

 

[anat0l]

Re: Changes to Hilton Premium Club

Thanks for the pep talks straitman and LW.

I hope you told them that we don't bite, even though we can be a rather fussy bunch.

I'm staying at the Hilton MEL Airport this Sunday. Of course, no chance that there'll be new carpet, fittings etc., but like you I agree that the hotel is due for a refresh.

 

[straitman]

Re: Changes to Hilton Premium Club

Thanks for the pep talks straitman and LW.

I hope you told them that we don't bite, even though we can be a rather fussy bunch.

I'm staying at the Hilton MEL Airport this Sunday. Of course, no chance that there'll be new carpet, fittings etc., but like you I agree that the hotel is due for a refresh.

1. No worries
2. Yes
3. Correct & correct.

 

[QF WP]

I was at Melbourne Airport this afternoon so I called in at the Hilton and had quite and interesting and open discussion with the Operations Manager.

Nice work to take it head on with Management

He confirmed that the HPC discount does apply under all circumstances and that the situations/problems that Lindsay Wilson had should not have occurred. He is also going to look at applying the HPC discounts overnight as LW has suggested. He said that the issue with this is that people often can have other discounts such as breakfast and the like to add and so that then still requires a rework of the bill upon checkout.

How many HPC members aren't Gold or higher (so get free breakfast). I wouldn't think a high percentage of guests on any given day would be HPC members anyway and that'll give the night staff something to do between closure of the bar area and 5.30am, when guests start appearing for check-out

He did confirm that the hotel would begin a significant work over with new carpets etc in the near future.

Good to hear, bit I am unlikely to stay there much in the future to re-try. It was just easier on this trip as first appt was Essendon Airport, so rather than come all the way back from the city...(well, another stay credit probably tipped the balance).

I also suggested that it would be good if someone from the Hilton chain in Australia could represent them on AFF and he is going to take that on to management.

That would certainly give them a good idea about the feelings of a representative group of members. Hilton Lurker

Then again, Macquarie and HPC probably wouldn't want to hear what we think of their combined card offer.

it was a worthwhile discussion in both directions IMHO.

Keep up the good work!


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[Danger]

Re: Changes to Hilton Premium Club

Thanks, anat0l. I had another look at the HPC website and tried to book multiple nights using the $99 rate card, at different properties in the one transaction, for comparison. It worked at all of them. That is, if the $99 rate was available, it calculated across the whole number of nights. In my case, I've got four nights booked at $99 per night. Time will tell what happens, although I've spoken with two Hilton Australia properties today and both of them indicated that I only needed to present one card. It wasn't explicit as I didn't want to trigger anything, so we'll see.

 

[straitman]

Re: Changes to Hilton Premium Club

Thanks, anat0l. I had another look at the HPC website and tried to book multiple nights using the $99 rate card, at different properties in the one transaction, for comparison. It worked at all of them. That is, if the $99 rate was available, it calculated across the whole number of nights. In my case, I've got four nights booked at $99 per night. Time will tell what happens, although I've spoken with two Hilton Australia properties today and both of them indicated that I only needed to present one card. It wasn't explicit as I didn't want to trigger anything, so we'll see.

It will be interesting to see the outcome. I have found that on most occasions they do not ask for the card.

 

[DC3]

Re: Changes to Hilton Premium Club

I tried to post this on another thread (Hilton Macquarie Platinum Card) but it's been closed to further posts.

I recently applied for the Hilton Macquarie Platinum Card but have been declined. When I rang to follow up, no useful information was provided. The only comment was about different credit criteria for different (Macquarie) cards.

I stay at Hiltons quite a bit, and believe that this card would be useful for use in Australia, mainly for the extra discouint.

I've had the same employer for many years and have not changed my residential address for some years. My gross earnings are more than 3 times the minimum requirement for this card.

When I checked a copy of my credit report from Dunn & Bradstreet, there's no record of anyone even accessing my credit report.

Other information provided to Macquarie on the application was consistant with similar credit that I have received elsewhere in the past.

Does anyone have a similar experience or who can offer some suggestions, please?

 

[oz_mark]

Re: Changes to Hilton Premium Club

When I checked a copy of my credit report from Dunn & Bradstreet, there's no record of anyone even accessing my credit report.

It may be worthwhile getting a copy of your Veda Advantage report as well.

I am not sure anyone here would be that familiar with Macquarie credit criteria, but things may depend on how many other cards you have, when you applied etc.

 

[QF WP]

Re: Changes to Hilton Premium Club

I had the same issue when first trying to obtain my card and was dealing with people who had no knowledge of accounting. I obtained a letter from my accountant and basically gave up after they offered me a lesser amount. I accepted what they gave me, but the only thing I use it for is the Hilton 20% discount, so just paid off the card fee and I get $0 bills.

About to use it again for my night at MEL Airport on 16th Jan.

 

[DC3]

Re: Changes to Hilton Premium Club

It may be worthwhile getting a copy of your Veda Advantage report as well.

I hadn't thought about the Veda credit report. I'll do that.

I have had balance transfers during 2010, to zero/low rate card offers. Maybe I should have cancelled the cards that they have replaced and that now have a zero balance outstanding. This could be it.

 

[Danger]

Re: Changes to Hilton Premium Club

I received my new $99 stay card and two member for a stay cards in today's mail. But I paid the $275 annual fee today. In other words, I got all the benefits sent to me for another year without actually paying for it.

Has this happened to anyone else?

 

[straitman]

Has anyone had any difficulties this year in getting their pack of Member for a stay cards out of the Macquarie system?

Also I always thought the package was 2 X Member for a stay cards and 2 X $99 stay cards. Am I correct in this or is there a different number?