HHonors Gold/Diamond for Velocity Gold/Plat

[CJEMNMAC]

I opted for HH gold when I reached VA gold a couple of years ago, but never upgraded when I got to WP. This year I have applied for HH diamond but have heard nothing. No rejection, but nothing for about 2 months now. I don't remember it taking so long before. Should I be worried? In a way it has been ok. I have booked all accommodation for my next USA trip in nice hotels at best price of the day. None of them is a Hilton property.

I would be on the phone to VFF asap and get them to chase it up. Gold a few years back is irrelevant to this.

For some reason the VFF / HH thing requires follow up 9 times out of 10.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Gold a few years back is irrelevant to this.

That's certainly been the experience with most, but I seem to recall the actual offer being a once only benefit. Who knows how good their system is at policing it though and I suspect the reason many get multiple bites at the cherry is more to do with the VA computer programs not being able to track the benefit, rather than VA being generous. If it did change, I'd be more surprised at them being able to fix the computer than I would be of them culling the multiple benefits! :mrgreen:

 

[CJEMNMAC]

That's certainly been the experience with most, but I seem to recall the actual offer being a once only benefit. Who knows how good their system is at policing it though and I suspect the reason many get multiple bites at the cherry is more to do with the VA computer programs not being able to track the benefit, rather than VA being generous. If it did change, I'd be more surprised at them being able to fix the computer than I would be of them culling the multiple benefits! :mrgreen:

Yes !! I see your point.

I guess I mean I would not discuss the fact that I had Gold a few years ago.

I look back over the years ( not just with VA ) but with credit cards etc etc as well, I have received so much more than the "published" benefits. I actually prefer them not to fix it and keep giving me points and points and points to compensate for the same problem...

 

[blackcat20]

I think you need to give it a few weeks before that resets. that was my experience when dropping from Platinum to Gold.

Also if you apply after 1 Janurary you should get 2 years, see post #644 for more details. Assuming you don't have hotel stays before then

Its now definitely a once only benefit. My understanding is that it used to reset, but wasnt meant to. Apparently VA actually managed to make part of the website work they way it was meant to :shock:

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Its now definitely a once only benefit. My understanding is that it used to reset, but wasnt meant to. Apparently VA actually managed to make part of the website work they way it was meant to :shock:

Funny how they can fix the bugs that benefit us, yet are happy to let the cough that annoys us continue unabated year after year!

 

[medhead]

Its now definitely a once only benefit. My understanding is that it used to reset, but wasnt meant to. Apparently VA actually managed to make part of the website work they way it was meant to :shock:

Pretty sure that is only in the case of maintaining a level. If dropping and then going up again the option should be available again, at least according to the T&Cs.

18.2 Complimentary Partner Membership is provided once to all Platinum and Gold Members when they:

(a) upgrade to Gold Membership Level; or
(b) upgrade to Platinum Membership Level.
​

18.3 Complimentary Partner Membership with a Car Hire and/or Hotel Partner Program is not offered to Members who maintain their Platinum or Gold Membership Level if they have previously selected a Complimentary Partner Membership with a Car Hire and/or Hotel Partner Program.

Clause 18.10 also indicates that the membership is available when changing levels and becoming eligible for a different level of partner membership.

18.10 A downgrade or upgrade to a different Membership Level of Velocity Frequent Flyer during the period of Complimentary Partner Membership will not affect the validity of any existing Complimentary Partner Membership. If the Member has become eligible for a different level of membership offered by the Program Partner in Car Hire Partner Program, Hotel Partner Program and wishes to enrol in that membership level, the Member can complete this enrolment through the “My Benefits” section of the Velocity Website.

In any case, shortly after my question in post #643 of this thread I was able to opt in to partner hotel membership online, via my account as a gold velocity. There was no apparent restriction due to having previously opted in as platinum velocity.

 

[blackcat20]

Pretty sure that is only in the case of maintaining a level. If dropping and then going up again the option should be available again, at least according to the T&Cs.



Clause 18.10 also indicates that the membership is available when changing levels and becoming eligible for a different level of partner membership.

[/FONT][/COLOR]

In any case, shortly after my question in post #643 of this thread I was able to opt in to partner hotel membership online, via my account as a gold velocity. There was no apparent restriction due to having previously opted in as platinum velocity.[/FONT][/COLOR]

The quote you have supplied (18.2) says "available once to all Platinum and Gold".
I gather 18.10 refers to moving up a level during the period of hotel status. So if you are gold and obtain HH gold, then move up to WP you can request Hilton Diamond. They say nothing about a second go a hotel status.

Yes, it used to work that you could drop status, then get the hotel status when your VA status went up again, but it doesnt work anymore (trust me, I tried recently).

 

[medhead]

The quote you have supplied (18.2) says "available once to all Platinum and Gold".
I gather 18.10 refers to moving up a level during the period of hotel status. So if you are gold and obtain HH gold, then move up to WP you can request Hilton Diamond. They say nothing about a second go a hotel status.

Yes, it used to work that you could drop status, then get the hotel status when your VA status went up again, but it doesnt work anymore (trust me, I tried recently).

Actually it says "available once to all platinum and gold members when they upgrade to gold or upgrade to platinum." It does not say once ever...

Yes, you're right about 18.10, that's how I read it. Which means that the partner hotel membership is not a once only option, since the example you've given would be opting in twice.

 

[JohnK]

Its now definitely a once only benefit. My understanding is that it used to reset, but wasnt meant to. Apparently VA actually managed to make part of the website work they way it was meant to :shock:

Since when? This could still be a case of YMMV.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Since when? This could still be a case of YMMV.

I don't think so. Haven't heard or read of any new resets recently.
I think it was an unforeseen glitch that VA have now fixed.
Pity they can't turn their attention to the myriad other IT failings on the VA/Velocity sites.

 

[Boris spatsky]

I don't think so. Haven't heard or read of any new resets recently.
I think it was an unforeseen glitch that VA have now fixed.
Pity they can't turn their attention to the myriad other IT failings on the VA/Velocity sites.

I dropped from VA Platinum to Gold late last year. I applied again when i logged in to Velocity for the HHonors match which was showing as available, but have seen nothing to date - still showing as Blue (and hence i don't use Hilton anymore!)

 

[stark]

I used hotel match as plat back in 2011 or 2012 and have recently requalified platinum and my account didn't reset, unfortunately. I see a bit of a mattress run later this year

 

[medhead]

I don't think so. Haven't heard or read of any new resets recently.
I think it was an unforeseen glitch that VA have now fixed.
Pity they can't turn their attention to the myriad other IT failings on the VA/Velocity sites.

That would be contrary to the Terms and conditions, which do not make it a once only offer.

 

[winstonAU]

After nominating for HHonors after hitting Velocity Gold in December last year, I've just this morning received my confirmation email that I've been bumped to HHonors Gold. Only took six months, but at least it came through? Rather irritating as not a week ago I chose not to book with Hilton for this very reason (and said booking is non-refundable).

Edit: And just had a PM from our favourite Velocity AFF rep saying that they'd contacted HHonors, so I assume that it was only after this prod that anything happened.

 

[FFPO]

The 'once only' nature of the hotel and car hire matching benefit was one of the reasons I stopped flying Virgin. I saw it as a real point of differentiation over Qantas but if you don't get to keep it each year that you requalify for Virgin platinum, then what's the point of offering it in the first place?

 

[grubbidok]

The 'once only' nature of the hotel and car hire matching benefit was one of the reasons I stopped flying Virgin. I saw it as a real point of differentiation over Qantas but if you don't get to keep it each year that you requalify for Virgin platinum, then what's the point of offering it in the first place?

I haven't left VA but I have left HH. I had a year where my travel plans simply didn't include places that had HH properties as they were often not capitals. Dropped down and no benefit to using them anymore. Agree the 'once-off' isn't really any more than a gimmick currently, and I don't even consider it a benefit when comparing across airlines.

 

[Gianni S]

I think you need to give it a few weeks before that resets. that was my experience when dropping from Platinum to Gold.

Also if you apply after 1 Janurary you should get 2 years, see post #644 for more details. Assuming you don't have hotel stays before then

Amazingly i have just triggered Platinum and was looking at joining HH. Reading the last 10 or so pages slightly confused at to the best time to join and get the extended period?

If i join today the way i understood all the posts i would get the remainder of this year, all of next year, and up until April 2018? or do i need to join after January 1st to do that?

Also post #627 reads as below.

If you are Velocity Gold & have the hotel Gold benefit available (and will still be Velocity Gold at the time you would invoke the benefit):
If you don't already have any Hilton status - Invoke the benefit from January and have Gold status for up to 27 months.

If you are already HHonors Gold or Platinum- wait until April and invoke the Gold benefit after you drop to HHonors Silver or Blue to have the HHonors Gold status for up to 24 months.


If you are Velocity Platinum & have the hotel Diamond benefit available (and will still be Velocity Platinum at the time you would invoke the benefit):
If you don't already have any Hilton status - Invoke the benefit from January and have Diamond status for up to 27 months.

If you are already HHonors Gold or Diamond - wait until April and invoke the Diamond benefit after you drop to HHonors Silver, Blue or Gold to have Diamond status for up to 24 months.
​

 

[Deleted member 29185]

If i join today the way i understood all the posts i would get the remainder of this year, all of next year, and up until April 2018?

That's correct. If you hold off until January, you'd get all of 2017, all of 2018 and up until 31/3/2019 (unless you requal of course in which case you'll get longer!)

 

[Gianni S]

That's correct. If you hold off until January, you'd get all of 2017, all of 2018 and up until 31/3/2019 (unless you requal of course in which case you'll get longer!)

Perfect, might as well hold off for a bit longer then. thanks for the info

 

[Quickstatus]

What do i do?

opted in to HHonors via Velocityseveral months ago
Rang velocity 3 times - essentially told its on HHonors side
Still have not received card


Thanks