Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob questions

[smit0847]

I've just made Velocity WP and understand one of the benefits is a complimentary Diamond HHonours membership. I know a lot about Velocity status but nothing about HHonours status.

I must admit I don't really stay in chain hotels. When I travel I usually stay in airbnb apartments, with friends, or I shop around for the best deal for any hotel - I would rather pay $120 for a 3.5 star place than $320 for a 5 star place and spend the saving elsewhere. I only travel for self-funded leisure and only manage to do so regularly because I extract value wherever possible and don't waste money. From reading the 'how do Hilton treat you as an elite' thread I understand there are various benefits of staying at a Hilton group property with Diamond status - some I should expect, others I may or may not receive as a nice surprise. My main question is around how much extra you would advise paying to stay at a Hilton property to receive those benefits over what I would normally go for, i.e. a 3.5 star property for, say $120-$150 per night?
As an example, I'm going to Guam in January for 5 nights and have tentatively booked a 3.5* non-chain hotel as it was only $85 per night and had great reviews. I could now book the Hilton Guam instead but it's more than $200 per night (and doesn't have great reviews), and I'm not sure if the benefits are worth the price premium.

I will likely have to have some weekends in SYD and BNE (and possibly PER) over the next year (<8 nights in the next 12 months), so what should I expect if Im booking the absolute cheapest room at a Hilton Group property? A room upgrade, executive lounge access (where offered) and some fruit and water? What premium would you pay to receive this over a cheaper property without status? I understand I receive a continental breakfast for free - is this whatever is served in the executive lounge or is the same as what you would have in the hotel restaurant?

Is there any way to get a discount off the standard online 'discount' rate? Promo codes?

Sorry for all the noob questions - this is all quite new to me!

Thanks

 

[tuapekastar]

Re: Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob question

I've just made Velocity WP and understand one of the benefits is a complimentary Diamond HHonours membership. I know a lot about Velocity status but nothing about HHonours status.

I must admit I don't really stay in chain hotels. When I travel I usually stay in airbnb apartments, with friends, or I shop around for the best deal for any hotel - I would rather pay $120 for a 3.5 star place than $320 for a 5 star place and spend the saving elsewhere. I only travel for self-funded leisure and only manage to do so regularly because I extract value wherever possible and don't waste money. From reading the 'how do Hilton treat you as an elite' thread I understand there are various benefits of staying at a Hilton group property with Diamond status - some I should expect, others I may or may not receive as a nice surprise. My main question is around how much extra you would advise paying to stay at a Hilton property to receive those benefits over what I would normally go for, i.e. a 3.5 star property for, say $120-$150 per night?
As an example, I'm going to Guam in January for 5 nights and have tentatively booked a 3.5* non-chain hotel as it was only $85 per night and had great reviews. I could now book the Hilton Guam instead but it's more than $200 per night (and doesn't have great reviews), and I'm not sure if the benefits are worth the price premium.

I will likely have to have some weekends in SYD and BNE (and possibly PER) over the next year (<8 nights in the next 12 months), so what should I expect if Im booking the absolute cheapest room at a Hilton Group property? A room upgrade, executive lounge access (where offered) and some fruit and water? What premium would you pay to receive this over a cheaper property without status? I understand I receive a continental breakfast for free - is this whatever is served in the executive lounge or is the same as what you would have in the hotel restaurant?

Is there any way to get a discount off the standard online 'discount' rate? Promo codes?

Sorry for all the noob questions - this is all quite new to me!

Thanks

I took HH Diamond match from VA (now back to Gold) and have often pondered the 'worth it?' factor. I'd probably stick with the $85 room in Guam, that's just too big a price differential. And I do take the price difference into account, if a Hilton was ludicrously overpriced it would be ignored.

In Australia, can usually get reasonable room rates at HH properties if you keep a close eye on price fluctuations (I booked Sydney Hilton a couple of Fridays ago on the day for $227, which was pretty reasonable for Sydney CBD). One popular method is to make the cheapest 'flexible' (i.e. cancellable) booking early on then watch out for cheap prices in the run up to your stay. You can then either cancel and stay elsewhere, or cancel and book a cheaper room at the Hilton. If you are a member of a AAA affiliated motoring organisation (e.g. RACV, NRMA) you can save a few bucks on a flexible rate, but occasionally they'll want to see your card at checkin.

I have never not got an upgrade of some sort at Oz properties. Occasionally it is a one-level upgrade, other times a three-level upgrade. Internet (normally $30/day) is free. In Oz, I've always had a full breakfast in the hotel restaurant (usually the option to eat in the lounge too, but the restaurants seem to have a larger range of stuff). In the US it was usually continental (with a paid upgrade option to 'full') - and I believe you have to pay for drinks in US lounges, of which there are apparently not that many.

Usually get water, occasionally a bottle of (ordinary) wine and I have had little gifts like chocolates and fruit platter, but there seems to be no consistency with those. Seems also that the more you stay at a particular property, the more likely you will be to receive extras. But as Diamond, free internet, breakfast and EL access (where there is one) are guaranteed, regardless of what room type you have booked (or been upgraded to). I think a room upgrade is pretty much guaranteed as well, though I guess if a property is literally full that may prove to be challenging. I'll never book a room I am not prepared to sleep in.

Don't know about promo codes. There is some scheme other people here are in whereby you can get 20% off a particular rate but I've never bothered with it (maybe I should).

PS. I don't know your stay dates, but based on peoples' experiences here if you activate the match on 1/1/2014 or later your status should remain Diamond till 31/3/2016 (qualification year is the calendar year, benefit year runs 1 April to 31 March). Also, no soft landings to the next level down like with VA/QF - you'll end up at the level you actually qualify at.

 

[lovestotravel]

Re: Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob question

If the price difference is more than say about $70 AUD per night I'd stick with the "other" accommodation option.

I base this on getting a free breakfast with Hilton, Free WiFi and of course accumulating Hilton points

 

[Cynicor]

Re: Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob question

If you normally stay at cheap hotels and don't want to stay at hilton-level places (4ish stars +) then Diamond is not worth it for you.

As I like decent hotels, and would be paying for Hilton/Sheraton/IC/Le Meridiens/Hyatts anyway, then Diamind is worthwhile. Free exec lounge and generally breakfasts seal the deal.

But- no point not getting the status. Who knows when you might end up there. Discount and AAA rates improve the cost somewhat.

 

[Ausbt]

Re: Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob question

I must admit I don't really stay in chain hotels. When I travel I usually stay in airbnb apartments,

I'm interested in your experiences with Airbnb, particularly New York. Has it generally been hassle-free? I'm trying to set something up for NYC this year. As far as Hilton goes, definitely worth it, I've bought low and been upgraded continually.

 

[smit0847]

Re: Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob question

I'm interested in your experiences with Airbnb, particularly New York. Has it generally been hassle-free? I'm trying to set something up for NYC this year. As far as Hilton goes, definitely worth it, I've bought low and been upgraded continually.

For any city in the world other than NYC, airbnb is a breeze. I've used it extensively across Europe without any issues. I much prefer it to a hotel as the rooms are usually much bigger, have much more character and facilities and are much, much cheaper.

The reason it's not a breeze in NYC is because of the city's subletting laws. It is illegal to sublet an apartment in NYC for less than 28 days. Most airbnb properties in NYC are not owned by the person renting it out (as hardly anyone owns their own property in NYC), but it's rented out by the person who is living there and renting it, or renting is as their 'second home' for the purpose of making money via short-term airbnb rentals.

Of course, it's definitely possible to rent it out without issue. I stayed in a beautiful apartment in Chelsea for 7 nights which I loved. You need to be very, very careful that noone in the building realises that you are subletting the place. The other residents in the building are well aware of the subletting laws and do not like one tenant breaking the rules and allowing 'randoms' to stay in their building because of security reasons. Therefore, if they realise you are subletting they may either call the police, or the building manager and you can be thrown out onto the street without warning. This is the risk you take. Thousands of people take this risk everyday without incident but the risk remains. When you make the booking you will be briefed on what to say and what not to say if anyone questions you coming and going - I was told to say I was a close friend of the owner and was staying WITH him for a few days, not that I was renting the place from him. The building I stayed in annoying had a 24 hour door/lift-man which meant he knew just about everyone in the building. I very quickly adopted a NYC accent when he asked me any questions (which was usually just 'which floor?' or 'how are you today?') so I wouldn't look out of place. I got a couple of strange looks from residents who obviously didn't recognise me but I was never questioned as to why I was there.

If you want to avoid this you can obviously stay in a normal hotel, keeping in mind the average price of a hotel room in NYC is $400 per night. My apartment was a huge 1 bedroom, great area and impeccably finished, for only $200 per night. It was great value. There are legitimate serviced apartment-hotels with no subletting risk but these were rubbish and at least $400 per night.

Would I use airbnb in NYC again? Yes, absolutely but I'd pick my property carefully (ie make sure it had plenty of reviews of people saying they stayed there without issue). For first timers to the city I wouldn't recommend it as it can be a bit overwhelming but remember you are trying to get a great deal in an incredibly expensive city for accomodation so some sacrifices must be made! Do your homework!

 

[Ausbt]

Re: Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob question

For any city in the world other than NYC, airbnb is a breeze.

Thank you smit0847, I really appreciate you taking the time to provide those insights. After my trip later this year, I will post about my own experiences.

 

[JohnK]

Re: Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob question

As an example, I'm going to Guam in January for 5 nights and have tentatively booked a 3.5* non-chain hotel as it was only $85 per night and had great reviews. I could now book the Hilton Guam instead but it's more than $200 per night (and doesn't have great reviews), and I'm not sure if the benefits are worth the price premium.

It is a different answer for all of us.

As a Diamond you will get $10-$15 worth of breakfast per person and if there a lounge need to factor in any drinks/food in the evening in the cost as well. For me I could easily drink and eat enough in most Hilton Executive lounges to not need dinner but I understand that not everyone thinks that way.

Still $115 difference is a huge difference and I find a lot of times I can get by with a lot less and all lounge access does is make me drink and eat more than I would normally drink/eat.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob question

It is a different answer for all of us.

^^This is a very wise answer.

Not just a different answer for all of us, but a different answer depending upon the hotel/city.

As an example, there is no way, no matter which way I fiddled the figures, that I could get Perth Hilton to look even remotely attractive (price wise). There are just so many better bargains to be had there (Rendezvous was where we stayed, but short stay apartments through Stayz are plentiful as well).

But in most other Oz Hiltons case, they have an exec lounge and offer full breakfasts in the restaurant......and often for everyone that stays. Not sure what a breakfast is worth ($35/head maybe), so mostly, the Oz Hiltons are well worth it (for me). I haven't ever stayed at an int. Hilton so I cannot comment, but it appears that especially in the States, that value is not nearly as pronounced. We're shortly staying at Hilton Taupo for a week and the special rate was circa AU$280/nite for a three bedroom apartment, which I believe represents pretty good value even though there is no lounge and it would appear the breakfast benefits are somewhat constrained to the minimum diamond benefit only.

Of course the other benefit that no one has yet mentioned, is the accumulation of points. Sadly, this has also been razored recently, but still represents a benefit nonetheless. With my accumulation of points, I was able to book 7 nights in a king beach villa at Conrad Rangali which was voted the best island resort in the world one year (last year I think). Given the peak time of year we're going, that saving was circa AU$15000. Of course I would not have paid that price, so the value is ambulatory at best, but still a pretty good "reward" for being a Hilton customer.

In any case, for the moment, we quite enjoy the "Hilton Experience" but in future years, retaining diamond may be a little difficult (I'm not impressed with a US$12000 spend and the 28 nights of mattress runs is a PITA).

 

[Fifa]

Re: Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob question

(I'm not impressed with a US$12000 spend and the 28 nights of mattress runs is a PITA).

Now 30 stays (60 nights)

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob question

Now 30 stays (60 nights)

Congratulations on the requal!!!!

I'm currently 16 stays, 16 nights :shock: and 42 000 base points.

(with another 8 stays, 15 nights booked, I'm well and truly on track to requal diamond, but I'm not sure whether it'll be stays or base points to clock up first and between the two of us "now VA plat", we also have two comp. diamonds in the bank as well )

 

[hummel]

Re: Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob question

Isn't the VA HH diamond match only valid for six months anyway? You need to stay x amount of times to retain I believe.

 

[Fifa]

Re: Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob question

Congratulations on the requal!!!!

No, I haven't requalified yet - I'm at 17 stays (24 nights) but on track for Diamond again.
Just saying it's now 30 stays to requalify.

I don't think I would ever have stayed at Hilton if not for the VA status match .

 

[Fifa]

Re: Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob question

Isn't the VA HH diamond match only valid for six months anyway? You need to stay x amount of times to retain I believe.

Seems everyone is getting 12 months +.
I waited until April 2012 to sign up and got two years as Diamond .

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob question

No, I haven't requalified yet - I'm at 17 stays (24 nights) but on track for Diamond again.
Just saying it's now 30 stays to requalify.

I don't think I would ever have stayed at Hilton if not for the VA status match .

Ah yes, I understand now. I forgot about that increase to 30 stays.

 

[simongr]

Re: Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob question

Isn't the VA HH diamond match only valid for six months anyway? You need to stay x amount of times to retain I believe.

That is what is said on the website - I am not sure HH's systems are up to that. Hilton status expires at the end of March and everyone who applied got cards that expired the march up to two years after they applied:
Apply Sep 11 - card expiry March 13
Apply April 12 - card expiry March 14

 

[serfty]

Re: Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob question

Isn't the VA HH diamond match only valid for six months anyway? You need to stay x amount of times to retain I believe.

There is one report at least of the benefit being revoked after 6 months when the beneficiary had 0 stays in the period - but either most stay the four nights or it is the exception.

Other than that, by the T&C's, yes, 6 months and extended to "12 months" with a minimum 4 stays within the initial 6 month period.

 

[hummel]

Re: Receiving Diamond status yet never having stayed in a Hilton - some noob question

There is one report at least of the benefit being revoked after 6 months when the beneficiary had 0 stays in the period - but either most stay the four nights or it is the exception.

Other than that, by the T&C's, yes, 6 months and extended to "12 months" with a minimum 4 stays within the initial 6 month period.

Interesting. I haven't pulled the trigger on the HH Diamond yet (having only been VA WP) for a few days but do have 2 stays in Melbourne this year and a week a Hilton Bora Bora next. Probably best to wait till those are stays are within the 6 month window ​just in case.