How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[DC3]

Stayed: May 26-29
Property: DoubleTree Cairns

… bathrooms were tiny to the point I had to stand on an angle in the shower because the hand rail was in the way …

The old Holiday Inn, tarted-up a bit, with a warm chocolate chip cookie on check-in. TwoTrees used to be overrun with package tours from Asia before COVID, with breakfast being a shambles.

The Hilton cash price has been a bit over the top lately, making use of Hilton points fairly good value.

 

[Happy Dude]

Well, this is why one should never use those aggregators and book direct instead. You get what you pay for and I'm for one am actually super glad to hear that some benefits are still reserved for the real loyalists. Each to their own.

Well if you're happy to pay extra for no tangible benefit that's up to you.

What benefits exactly did I miss out on here? A couple of bottles of water and a chocolate bar? A few Hilton points that I'll never accrue enough of to use? I got more than 5000 QFF that will be of use. I'd already got a better room by paying less. I doubt the staff would be that much nicer or efficient that I'd be happy to pay a premium. Sorry but these things aren't worth the extra $100 or so (after the Amex offer) it would have cost to book direct.

I'm no loyalist as I don't stay in Hiltons often enough, but I did initially book direct and would usually do so or at least try if there was point - especially if it meant a higher cost. However this is a pretty average hotel for a Diamond even if booking direct.

Although I knew I wouldn't get whatever Diamond benefits would be available, so I'm not really complaining, but it is a dangerous game to treat elites differently, gleefully even, based on their booking method. The airlines don't do it and I'm now less inclined to be loyalist. I'll even start the search for a room elsewhere, rather than back here knowing what it's like, which surely defeats the purpose of the loyalty scheme in the first place.

 

[Berlin]

Well if you're happy to pay extra for no tangible benefit that's up to you.

What benefits exactly did I miss out on here?

Well, as I've said, each to their own. Those aggregators obviously charge a commission and can therefore calculate in some bonus points while the hotel otherwise provides an upgraded room and a free breakfast. However, you were the one whinging that you were "treated like a commoner because I booked through a third party. Got tired of the staff reminding me of that". In my mind, that's the same as people complaining about frequent flyer schemes making it too hard to obtain that flashy toaster oven. And to be honest, I've "gotten tired" of non loyalists complaining if they don't get the red carpet rolled out.

Just FYI- for me, loyalty with hotels almost pays off more than with airlines- especially Hyatt is excellent, Hilton less so but still worth it. If you play the game correctly but again, that's the same with airline programs. The kind of rooms I've sometimes received in the places that matter (read holiday destinations overseas) are wroth those "lost" Qantas hotel points any day. Just as hunting for a couple of frequent flyer points when shopping is so well worth the occasional First class upgrade. Everyone has different priorities of course.

 

[drross]

Just FYI- for me, loyalty with hotels almost pays off more than with airlines- especially Hyatt is excellent, Hilton less so but still worth it. If you play the game correctly but again, that's the same with airline programs. The kind of rooms I've sometimes received in the places that matter (read holiday destinations overseas) are wroth those "lost" Qantas hotel points any day. Just as hunting for a couple of frequent flyer points when shopping is so well worth the occasional First class upgrade. Everyone has different priorities of course.

Of course Berlin. Personally i rate Accor and Hilton above Hyatt and IHG - but that’s based on my personal useage

 

[Berlin]

Of course Berlin. Personally i rate Accor and Hilton above Hyatt and IHG - but that’s based on my personal useage

Totally agree- depends very much on personal circumstance and also the kind of locations one typically goes. I for my part stay a lot in city hotels around Australia, both for work and pleasure. And then tend to use my points for very special experiences further away- US, Europe, Asia, Middle East typically.

It's mostly the latter that makes the hotel loyalty game worthwhile for me but hey- if the fabulous new Hyatt Centric in Melbourne upgrades me once again to one of their suites, that's definitely also adding to the joys!

 

[DC3]

Stayed: May 26-29
Property: DoubleTree Cairns
Status: Diamond

What benefits exactly did I miss out on here? A couple of bottles of water and a chocolate bar? A few Hilton points that I'll never accrue enough of to use? …

…I'm no loyalist as I don't stay in Hiltons often enough ..

Your Diamond status is not easy to obtain. Usually a lot nights/stays/$$$$.

Maybe you have the Aspire card, or the Centurion.

 

[Happy Dude]

However, you were the one whinging that you were "treated like a commoner because I booked through a third party. Got tired of the staff reminding me of that".

What's the title of the thread again? I'm still an elite staying at a Hilton property.

How that's been interpreted as whinging probably says more about your fanboi loyalty at all costs attitude.

 

[Happy Dude]

Your Diamond status is not easy to obtain. Usually a lot nights/stays/$$$$.

Maybe you have the Aspire card, or the Centurion.

Diamond via Velocity Plat. No chance of ever earning it the hard/$$$$ way. But then not a lot of opportunity to use the status either so doesn't hold a lot of value for me.

 

[Berlin]

What's the title of the thread again? I'm still an elite staying at a Hilton property.

How that's been interpreted as whinging probably says more about your fanboi loyalty at all costs attitude.

I beg to differ: You were a third party aggregator site booking, not at an elite for the purpose of your stay and were treated accordingly.

And in case some people can't read properly, I've stated clearly above that I actually prefer Hyatt over Hilton. So much about "fanboi [SIC]".

 

[Anna]

Diamond status is not easy to obtain

Mine was. It was gifted to me as a status match, I think from IHG, which in turn had been gifted to me as a VA WP benefit when VA gave me a status match to QF WP (the second time VA gave me a status match - I think they've given me 3 in all. Maybe one day I will cross over ).

 

[DC3]

Mine was. It was gifted to me as a status match, I think from IHG, which in turn had been gifted to me as a VA WP benefit when VA gave me a status match to QF WP (the second time VA gave me a status match - I think they've given me 3 in all. Maybe one day I will cross over ).

Oh. I thought that you had the Centurion card.

 

[JessicaTam]

[mod hat]
I am calling time on the current ‘direct vs 3rd party booking’ discussion.

Back to the thread topic.
[/mod hat]

 

[Berlin]

[mod hat]
I am calling time on the current ‘direct vs 3rd party booking’ discussion.

Back to the thread topic.
[/mod hat]

Fair enough! Guilty look in my face…

 

[snabbu]

Property: Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Nights: 1
Status: Gold
Room booked: Deluxe Room 2 Queens
Room Received: Deluxe Room 2 Queens
Rate: Free Night Reward
Received: Numerous free bottles of water, $50 F&B credit.
Late Check Out: 2pm. Upon asking the front desk clerk about a late check out she pulled up my account and addressed me as a diamond. I chuckled and corrected her saying I was just gold to which she replied "it's all the same". We both had a bit of a laugh about it even though I was quite surprised at her comment.

Property: Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace Disney Springs Area
Nights: 2
Status: Gold
Room booked: 2 Queens Resort View
Room Received: 2 Queens Disney Springs View
Rate: Points
Received: 2 x free bottles of water replenished daily, 2 x $30 F&B credits.
Late Check Out: 2pm

 

[Anna]

Oh. I thought that you had the Centurion card.

I don't even know what that is so if it's a joke it's over my head sorry

 

[eric2011]

I don't even know what that is so if it's a joke it's over my head sorry

It’s a top level charge card put out by Amex. You need to be a YKWIA to get one

 

[DC3]

I don't even know what that is …

The Amex Centurion card provides Hiton Diamond status as one of the benefits

 

[Happy Dude]

[mod hat]
I am calling time on the current ‘direct vs 3rd party booking’ discussion.

Back to the thread topic.
[/mod hat]

So just for clarity, is this thread for reviews for direct bookings only, as that's the only time you're considered an elite?

Reviews of Hilton properties for other bookings would be done via a TR or something?

 

[Pele]

Are Amex FHR bookings also treated the same as direct bookings with regard to elite benefits?

 

[bits]

Are Amex FHR bookings also treated the same as direct bookings with regard to elite benefits?

Only had experience with Shangri-La, and yes. Status recignised, Shangri-La points awarded after stay