How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[Lone Wolf]

Perhaps the DT is sitting pretty on occupancy rates and is comfortable in trying it on. Is the coffee tax next?

Apparently instructions from Hilton HQ to stop providing benefits above the minimum Ts and Cs.

DT were petty enough to point out the fine print on the keycard holder at check-in but failed to offer an explanation for the lack of upgrades despite there being availability per the Ts and Cs.

Can't have it both ways ...

 

[DC3]

Apparently instructions from Hilton HQ to stop providing benefits above the minimum Ts and Cs.

DT were petty enough to point out the fine print on the keycard holder at check-in but failed to offer an explanation for the lack of upgrades despite there being availability per the Ts and Cs.

Can't have it both ways ...

It’s weird the way that this is being done. There were always minimum benefits to be offered, but now they are saying that they will not provide more than the absolute minimum. And no answer as to lack of an upgrade, which is just so easy to check availability online. A bit sad.

 

[hydrabyss]

Property: Doubletree by Hilton Melbourne
Date: March 2020
Status: Diamond
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King Guest Room

New policy from 1st March has removed previous benefits:
- now charging $10 for full breakfast
- no longer issue drinks vouchers

Coupled with the poor upgrade record I can't see there being real benefit for Diamonds over Golds at this property.

I have been staying at Hilton properties for the last 7 years and have noticed each year in Australia extra benefits have slowly disappeared. They where above and beyond what was required for them to give but it made a difference and kept me loyal.

Recently have gone back to another chain which has better coverage in Australia. Although they are not the same as Hilton when it comes to benefits one particular hotel in Canberra on my last stay gave the small things that Hilton used to do that made you feel like status was worth something.

I don't get free breakfast but they only charge $21 if purchased on arrival. They give 2 drink vouchers although only 1 is in the benefits. Not all of their sales are prepaid and cancelation is 2pm the day before.

I still have a gold and diamond status offer from Virgin available but currently am enjoying the small things that Hilton used to offer in Australia but without the Hilton price tag. I doubt Hilton will go back but regulars at some properties may still get extra benefits.

 

[Happy Dude]

Property: Doubletree by Hilton Melbourne
Date: March 2020
Status: Diamond
Booked: King Guest Room
Received: King Guest Room

New policy from 1st March has removed previous benefits:
- now charging $10 for full breakfast
- no longer issue drinks vouchers

Coupled with the poor upgrade record I can't see there being real benefit for Diamonds over Golds at this property.

This is poor treatment of an elite, and going forward looks even more stingy. I can't see a reason to stay there, Gold, Diamond or otherwise.

 

[moa999]

Reportedly being done across Aus/NZ properties
The stated benefits are only for Continental breakfasts

Agree removal of drink vouchers for properties without a lounge is cheap

 

[Brissy1]

I’ll probably return to Trieste to stay in this hotel! It’s a really interesting city. I wish I had more days there. It’s got a fascinating history as a trading port and has many wonderfully preserved historic buildings, castles and forts, as well as terrific seafood. It’s only a few hours by train from Venice (if you’re in that region). From Trieste, can also take a short bus ride to the town of Prosecco for a Prosecco.

Nice find, Trieste is now on my bucket list. But not yet, from the Hilton "Hotel Details"...
This hotel will temporarily stop taking bookings from now until April 3rd, 2020. Guests with a reservation during this period are requested to contact the Hilton Guest Assistance Team.

 

[Aeolus]

The “ Australasian breakfast tax” of $10 is slowly being rolled out. So far DT Mel and HSYD, anyone knows which other has this tax? Also HSYD’s exec lounge is closed as of today and they’re operating from Glass, no idea for how long (probably while it’s still quiet).

 

[DC3]

The “ Australasian breakfast tax” of $10 is slowly being rolled out. So far DT Mel and HSYD, anyone knows which other has this tax? Also HSYD’s exec lounge is closed as of today and they’re operating from Glass, no idea for how long (probably while it’s still quiet).

If you are currently at Hilton Sydney, is there a mini-EL area, for drinks and nibbles, where you are coraled into a section, due to Glass being the hotel restaurant?

Edited.

 

[Aeolus]

If you are currently at Hilton Sydney, is there a mini-EL area, for drinks and nibbles, where you are coraled into a section, due to Glass being the hotel restaurant?

Edited.

They’re using a section of the restaurant, to the right as you enter. Due to limited area for placing food/drinks etc, all drinks were table service, I really don’t know how the staff are going to cope. Last night, despite the low occupancy, the lounge was full. This setup would require more staff than their lounge setup so I’m really baffled as in the benefits they would achieve by relocating the lounge to Glass.

 

[Stealthflyer]

Nice find, Trieste is now on my bucket list. But not yet, from the Hilton "Hotel Details"...
This hotel will temporarily stop taking bookings from now until April 3rd, 2020. Guests with a reservation during this period are requested to contact the Hilton Guest Assistance Team.

Northern Italy. I’m not surprised that they’ve paused bookings given the shutdowns across the country. It’s a shame that this interruption has happened so soon after their opening.

 

[Sabot]

The two things I liked about this property, decent breakfast and generous drink vouchers now both canned.
Can’t wait for new Hilton to open, MEL needs it desperately

Agreed and so does Brisbane.

 

[JessicaTam]

Property: DT CHC
Date: 2 night stay in March 2020
Rate: Can't remember
Status: diamond (lower case intentional)

Diamonds are now very much being taken for granted with HH in ANZ. Two bottles of water offered, and that's it. When I asked about drinks vouchers I was told they had stopped at the directionof HH APac. $10 extra for a cooked breakfast. Coffee tax.

I had a two night stay and was told no upgrade. They were sold out when I checked online that arvo, so I believe them. Midday on my second day I got a call offering an upgrade to a balcony room for the second night. I had already 'settled in' so I declined.

Apart from a possible upgrade and some more points I see no differential of diamond over gold.

I am at DT MEL in a couple of weeks. I know the staff well, so it will be interesting to hear their opinion as they are usually candid with me. If HH APac continue to require properties to treat status guests so poorly then I will head elsewhere. Fortunately they are doing this early in the year so I have plenty of time to build status with an alternate chain.

 

[Harthagan]

The “ Australasian breakfast tax” of $10 is slowly being rolled out. So far DT Mel and HSYD, anyone knows which other has this tax? Also HSYD’s exec lounge is closed as of today and they’re operating from Glass, no idea for how long (probably while it’s still quiet).

What is the $10 breakfast tax at the sydney Hilton? Is it for the full breakfast buffet, I'd assume the EL breakfast is still available?

Also didn't they just finish "renovating" the lounge recently and now it's out of action again?

 

[daft009]

Property: Hilton Fiji Denarau (not the DT)
Date: 8 night stay in March 2020
Rate: ~AU$200/night flexi rate
Status: Gold (via Amex)

We were upgraded a couple of levels, from the cheapest garden view room to beachview suite. Wife & I loved it!
Free breakfast was great. it did say FJ$10 for freshly cooked eggs however no one checked this so we used it on a few days without issues.

will be hard to go back to one of smaller/lower rooms next time we go

ended up going next door to the sofitel to avail the 50% accor plus meals discount to change things up a bit for dinner

 

[drross]

Loved our stay there late last year. No mention of charge on the eggs and we too went next door for a change..and the French wines!

Property: Hilton Fiji Denarau (not the DT)
Date: 8 night stay in March 2020
Rate: ~AU$200/night flexi rate
Status: Gold (via Amex)

We were upgraded a couple of levels, from the cheapest garden view room to beachview suite. Wife & I loved it!
Free breakfast was great. it did say FJ$10 for freshly cooked eggs however no one checked this so we used it on a few days without issues.

will be hard to go back to one of smaller/lower rooms next time we go

ended up going next door to the sofitel to avail the 50% accor plus meals discount to change things up a bit for dinner

 

[Austman]

So far DT Mel and HSYD, anyone knows which other has this tax?

Adelaide too. They tell me it’s ALL hotels in the chain.

 

[daft009]

Loved our stay there late last year. No mention of charge on the eggs and we too went next door for a change..and the French wines!

Yeah there was no verbal mention but on the eggs menu on the table it said free if full breakfast otherwise FJD$10 per serving on continental

 

[VPS]

So I sent this email to Hilton

I received an email to say that my status is changing from the 1st April. I joined Hilton through the Australian Macquarie Hilton credit card and when this was discontinued I was advised Diamond Status would be valid until April 1st 2021.

Can you please investigate and advise.

Regards

VPS

And the response

Hi VPS,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding tier status. We appreciate you taking the time to contact us.

Please accept my formal apologies for the inconvenience this may has caused and I appreciate your loyalty towards Hilton.

Please be informed that currently we are updating the profile information in our systems and databases. The information of stays and nights are being calculated and are in progress to be updated in the guest's accounts. A group of our dedicated team are working on resolution of the concern and the account updates will get completed almost by the end of this month ( March ). Hence, I request you to get in touch with us regarding the tier extension or any other query related with the stays and nights count by 1 April, 2020 so that we can assist you with the best possible resolution.

Your patience and understanding will be highly appreciated regarding this matter.

As always, thanks for traveling with us and please let us know if you have any other questions. You can reach us any time at [email protected].

Happy travels,

Ayush S.
Corporate Guest Relations Specialist
Hilton Reservations and Customer Care


Can anyone make sense of this because I'm struggling

 

[JessicaTam]

So I sent this email to Hilton

I received an email to say that my status is changing from the 1st April. I joined Hilton through the Australian Macquarie Hilton credit card and when this was discontinued I was advised Diamond Status would be valid until April 1st 2021.

Can you please investigate and advise.

Regards

VPS

And the response

Hi VPS,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding tier status. We appreciate you taking the time to contact us.

Please accept my formal apologies for the inconvenience this may has caused and I appreciate your loyalty towards Hilton.

Please be informed that currently we are updating the profile information in our systems and databases. The information of stays and nights are being calculated and are in progress to be updated in the guest's accounts. A group of our dedicated team are working on resolution of the concern and the account updates will get completed almost by the end of this month ( March ). Hence, I request you to get in touch with us regarding the tier extension or any other query related with the stays and nights count by 1 April, 2020 so that we can assist you with the best possible resolution.

Your patience and understanding will be highly appreciated regarding this matter.

As always, thanks for traveling with us and please let us know if you have any other questions. You can reach us any time at [email protected].

Happy travels,

Ayush S.
Corporate Guest Relations Specialist
Hilton Reservations and Customer Care


Can anyone make sense of this because I'm struggling

To me it looks like they think you are asking for an extension???

 

[VPS]

To me it looks like they think you are asking for an extension???

who knows - I'll email them again