How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[JessicaTam]

I agree - SYD is pretty hopeless, and HOTP is pretty awesome.

 

[tuapekastar]

Thank you. It appears you are correct, however, yesterday when I checked my bookings it said I had been upgraded to a relaxation suite. But now I'm in a 2 bedroom apartment in the Residences. In my bookings now there are 2 listed with the same confirmation number - 1 for the hotel and 1 for the residences. I'm extremely confused. I have access to the Executive Lounge.

I had exactly this when upgraded from standard hotel room to 2BR residence last year, so I imagine it is standard practice.

 

[drross]

Checked into HSW yesterday for the rugby test. Told no lounge access or upgrade as the hotel full..still get free breakfast downstairs! Calm discussion with the lovely Monique at check in and eventually given lounge access. Have stayed here at least 15 times since HSW opened and never had this happen before. Lounge last night..maybe 30 people there at 7. Lounge door left open this morning for anyone to access lounge! Sure it will be busy tonight and tomorrow. A lot of red jerseys checking in this morn.

 

[Ausbt]

Lounge door left open this morning for anyone to access lounge! .

This appears to be a common occurrence actually. I'll be there on Monday, gee I hope this crowd clears out by then as I'll be annoyed if I have to haggle for access.

 

[Ewing]

This appears to be a common occurrence actually. I'll be there on Monday, gee I hope this crowd clears out by then as I'll be annoyed if I have to haggle for access.

Perhaps there's an underlying reason for it?

About 50% of my stays at HSW my room key has not let me into the lounge; when the door has been locked I've had to use the phone to gain entry and then have my key updated.

 

[titfilou]

Status: Diamond
Date: 28th June
Property: Hilton Paris CDG
Booked: King junior suite
Received: King junior suite

Good rate on the suite, $310 instead of usually $450-550.

Complimentary water, complimentary bottle of red wine (Brouilly), complimentary cheese platter in the room.

Usual access to lounge and complimentary breakfast either at the lounge or the buffet.

This is a booking I have made for my parents, I did not check in with them. I called the hotel prior to advise. They were still treated as Diamond members, although Breaky and lounge access are included in the rate.

 

[anat0l]

Status: Diamond
Date: 29 June 2013
Property: Hilton Sydney
Booked: Guestroom Plus
Received: Deluxe Room
Rate type: Flexible

Standard letter outlining benefits. Seems breakfast at glass is property specific, so Sydney offer it (as well as others, but the point is that it is not gazetted).

Apparently today (Sunday is OK) the property is absolutely booked out, so no suites or executive rooms available for upgrades.

Two bottles of complimentary water... were not in the room. That said, I did get an early check-in at 11 am, and a late checkout tomorrow of 4 pm.

Other than that, no other particular benefits in the room.

 

[TonyHancock]

Apparently today (Sunday is OK) the property is absolutely booked out, so no suites or executive rooms available for upgrades.

Still selling Exec rooms and Relaxation Suite(s) online for tonight.

 

[anat0l]

Still selling Exec rooms and Relaxation Suite(s) online for tonight.

With another AFF member who checked in last night, we found that was the case as well. Of course, we are assuming that upgrades at Hiltons are allocated purely on a space available basis, rather than capacity based (i.e. some rooms are put aside for upgrades, whilst others are set aside strictly for either wriggle room / emergencies / last minute walk ups).

I hear there's football (of some code) in Sydney, so that could be putting strain on demand, which means they may be reasonably thinking people will walk up for the most expensive rooms.

 

[drross]

I hear there's football (of some code) in Sydney, so that could be putting strain on demand, which means they may be reasonably thinking people will walk up for the most expensive rooms.

Reasonably? Really?

 

[muppet]

Checked into HSW yesterday for the rugby test. Told no lounge access or upgrade as the hotel full..still get free breakfast downstairs! Calm discussion with the lovely Monique at check in and eventually given lounge access. Have stayed here at least 15 times since HSW opened and never had this happen before. Lounge last night..maybe 30 people there at 7. Lounge door left open this morning for anyone to access lounge! Sure it will be busy tonight and tomorrow. A lot of red jerseys checking in this morn.

I had the same response that night. Bit disapointed given my stay history at HSW. I do get tired of being told an executive room is an upgrade for a diamond.

Although I can see why they initially tried to deny someone lounge, lounge crowding has been a real problem the last few times i've stayed. (I don't mind the numbers but they treat the place like a loud bar.... not a lounge)

 

[drross]

No crowds tonight.. Plus the best team won!!!

 

[austgap]

Status: Diamond
Date: 24th June
& 29th June - 1st July
Property: HSP
Booked: King guestroom
Received: King relaxation suite (both stays)

Second stay this week. Was much happier with the room the second stay. The first suite had not been cleaned all that well, with half empty bottles of mouthwash and shampoo in the bathroom, plus the mini-bar being raided when I arrived!

While it's a good hotel, I'm still mind blown who plays $450+ a night for the suite. Nothing at all plush or remarkable about it however do love the view.

Staff are quite indifferent downstairs at reception, yet the exec floor staff are superb.

 

[Cynicor]

Second stay this week. Was much happier with the room the second stay. The first suite had not been cleaned all that well, with half empty bottles of mouthwash and shampoo in the bathroom, plus the mini-bar being raided when I arrived!

While it's a good hotel, I'm still mind blown who plays $450+ a night for the suite. Nothing at all plush or remarkable about it however do love the view.

Staff are quite indifferent downstairs at reception, yet the exec floor staff are superb.

$450? you should see the suite we got at Hilton Basel. Going for over 1300CHF the nights we were there, had ancient decor and the exec lounge was as big as my living room...

But the hotel was nice enough.

And Hilton Berlin tell me they are getting a new gym etc (I complained upthread).

HH Diamond.
Hilton Frankfurt
1 night
AP rate (210EUR~ IIRC)
Booked King guestroom, received King Deluxe Plus

Ok hotel, good location for sight seeing, breakfast nothing flash. No issues for 1 night. Tiny exec lounge with typical europe spread. self pour spirits and wine, 2 hot canape selection and some cold cuts, cheese, etc.

Hilton Basel
AP Weekend sale. Can't remeber rate
Booked Queen guestroom, received Queen Suite. Old decor, breakfast is pretty small but has the basics. good enough and really happy with the upgrade considering was booked on a discount rate.

 

[austgap]

$450? you should see the suite we got at Hilton Basel. Going for over 1300CHF the nights we were there, had ancient decor and the exec lounge was as big as my living room...

Oh sorry, the issue wasn't spending money for a suite. More that the suites at HSP are very underwhelming in comparison to other Hilton's globally and I wouldn't remotely even pay close to $450 for a room with chipped walls and black bag marks all the walls.

 

[Cynicor]

I agree with you- the hilton basel was as over priced as well.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Status: Diamond
Date: 29 June
Property: Hilton Sydney
Booked: Standard King
Received: Relaxation Room on high floor (note NOR1 upgrade)
Rate: Best Available $368 less 20% Hilton Macquarie disc courtesy of oz_mark

My booking had been showing the Relaxation room for a week prior to check-in.
Check-in was efficient, letter given re Diamond benefits and they noted that I had a NOR1 upgrade.
I asked what the Diamond upgrade was and was advised that the room is on a high floor
Water ( 2 bottles) in room, no Diamond amenity ( I have previously had wine and a cheese plate though nothing on my last two stays there)

 

[Hvr]

Status: Diamond
Date: 29 June
Property: Hilton Sydney
Booked: Standard King
Received: Standard King
Rate: 50,0000 points

Check in quick and efficient and request for a late check out (1400 hours) wasn't a problem,
Two bottles of water in room. Ate breakfast in Glass with several other AFFers.

No letter etc or any other benefit received.

 

[anat0l]

Status: Diamond
Date: 29 June 2013
Property: Hilton Sydney
Booked: Guestroom Plus
Received: Deluxe Room
Rate type: Flexible

Standard letter outlining benefits. Seems breakfast at glass is property specific, so Sydney offer it (as well as others, but the point is that it is not gazetted).

Apparently today (Sunday is OK) the property is absolutely booked out, so no suites or executive rooms available for upgrades.

Two bottles of complimentary water... were not in the room. That said, I did get an early check-in at 11 am, and a late checkout tomorrow of 4 pm.

Other than that, no other particular benefits in the room.

A few postscript notes.

Ended up getting four bottles of water after contacting Magic. Probably a miscommunication, with one staff member probably thinking, "That reminds me, I have to put a couple of bottles in the room," which would probably work had I checked in at the normal check-in time. Ah well.

Props to Ramona who was working the Executive Lounge desk during Sunday afternoon. Was in a little hurry and had a big favour to ask, and she managed my checkout and all very well and efficiently.

 

[cgoh]

Status: Diamond
Date: 28 June
Property: Hilton Sydney
Booked: King Guestroom Plus
Received: Deluxe room
Rate: 189 AAA

Second time check in in a week and had the same spill that suite was booked out. I went further and said I will be happy to pay for an upgrade as it was a special occasion. Impressively, the guy stood firm and said all suite are booked out, but of course the app still happily allows me to book a relaxation room, king suite, and king relaxation suite. In compensation, he said a sparkling would be sent to my room at 6pm. I got two bottles of Mt Franklin.

I kinda worked out that they usually provide a one category upgrade at Hilton Sydney. I had booked an executive room before and got upgraded to the Relaxation Room so those wishing to book cheap and get a suite at Hilton Sydney might need to suck it up and use NOR1. With 23 bookings for the next 3 months at the Hilton Sydney, I have all but cancelled them as the service, the room, and the elite benefits are shocking at this property. Brett Christ probably need to visit Hilton Sydney to give them a crash course on how to treat an elite better.

Bear in mind, I am not a fake diamond and last year alone I qualified for Diamond within 1 month via base points, and I happily spent a further 25k last year. I'll probably just let my diamond drop for Hilton as the only two properties that I can almost confirm an upgrade is at HSW or HOTP.