HHONORS - no blackout dates

[oz_mark]

Noticed this on the HHONORS homepage. Seems and extension from diamonds (and maybe golds) to all members.

You won't find reward blackout dates with Hilton HHonors® — just 2,900 hotels and the chance to earn points and airline miles at the same time. If a standard room is available, you can redeem points for it. An exotic escape has never been easier.

Receive points toward a free stay, premier vacations and fantastic merchandise, plus great benefits that we reserve for our special guests.

 

[simongr]

Interesting - I used that recently when I was thinking of staying in the city after the Symphony in the Domain - to save a cab fare etc. Was surprised that I could book a room for the next night. Not sure the Sydney Hilton will be available for awards on NYE though

 

[ric_melb]

Just received an email today from Hilton Honors, announcing the new policy of No Blackout Dates, for "standard rooms".

Certainly better than the blackout dates they have had before.

 

[serfty]

I received the email yesterday morning as well.

On FT, HH Diamonds are carping about no real bonus for being Diamond now other than getting a few more HHonors points per dollar.

 

[simongr]

Weirdly I just checked an online awards booking in London in July and pretty much every hotel advised to contact the Diamond desk...

 

[drron]

I received the email yesterday morning as well.

On FT, HH Diamonds are carping about no real bonus for being Diamond now other than getting a few more HHonors points per dollar.

Well this is one diamond now carping on AFF as well.The only published advantage now is the extra bonus points.This is offset by the fact that in 5 years of being diamond not one promo at all.As I am quaranteed gold for another 23 years I really can see no reason for giving most of my business to Hilton in the future.
So in march it is definitely putting in a request to SPG for comp to platinum.

 

[Mal]

The new scheme doesn't start till Feb some time.

Note that Hilton have a get-out clause in that only "Standard Rooms" are eligible for the anytime redemptions.

Watch some of the hotels start changing around their room descriptions...

 

[straitman]

The new scheme doesn't start till Feb some time.

Note that Hilton have a get-out clause in that only "Standard Rooms" are eligible for the anytime redemptions.

Watch some of the hotels start changing around their room descriptions...

I frequently find it hard to determine the difference between the levels at Hilton already.

 

[serfty]

Exec lounge access is nice when it happens, but you need to be in place early enough to maximise the use of such benefits.

In all honesty, as long as I continue to get complimentary breakfast, continental or otherwise, gold status is worth it.

FWIW, my last Oz Hilton stay I was upgraded to exec lounge. Beauty! (although I checked in at 10pm and had to depart the next day at 6am before breakfast was available! )

 

[oz_mark]

I frequently find it hard to determine the difference between the levels at Hilton already

Likewise, but not a uniquely Hilton thing.

Exec lounge access is nice when it happens, but you need to be in place early enough to maximise the use of such benefits.

In all honesty, as long as I continue to get complimentary breakfast, continental or otherwise, gold status is worth it.

FWIW, my last Oz Hilton stay I was upgraded to exec lounge. Beauty! (although I checked in at 10pm and has to depart the next day at 6am before breakfast was available! )

When I look at the benefits, I try to think which ones I might use. Aside from extra points, I think that getting far enough to get a free breakfast is good enough (although I have been relegated to silver so don't get them at the moment). Wish PC gave free breakfasts

 

[winetraveller]

I received the email yesterday morning as well.

On FT, HH Diamonds are carping about no real bonus for being Diamond now other than getting a few more HHonors points per dollar.

I tend to agree, I'm shifting my loyalty focus to SPG at the moment, partly because they have better resorts and hotels in Asia, but also if you look at the relative points spend on some of their hotels, it's outweighs what Hilton currently offer.

I just had one stay(three nights) in at a W in New York, where the points accumulated amount to four nights at a Sheraton in Bangkok.

 

[simongr]

That's a good result - but strange. I actually moved away from SPG due to my stay at the W in NYC - 3 nights earned about 6,000 points (non-status) and the rooms were tiny - but having hear of the SPPG benefits from QF009 I am reconsidering. The only downside is that I do love the Conrad in HKG which is where my most regular stay have been and I don't think that there is a decent SPG property on HKG Island?

 

[winetraveller]

Ultimately I'm still a pragmatist, I will still stay at Hiltons etc, I like Hiltons in Asia, especially the Millenium in Bangkok, but I like Westins and some W's in the US, although I agree the rooms can be small. Fortunately I'm Platinum so always get a decent upgrade. Mind you most if not all rooms in New York are 30% smaller than in other cities. I've also has some appalling service issue in the recent past in Hiltons and SPG hotels in the US, where I spend the vast majority of my time at the moment acheive a better level of service day in day out, which can make your life so much easier when travelling intensively.

I do tend to shop around, Marriott and Hyatt are also in the mix, and been staying in a Hyatt Place in Connecticut a bit lately, and find the rooms superb for the corporate rate of $109 a night.

 

[JohnK]

FWIW, my last Oz Hilton stay I was upgraded to exec lounge. Beauty! (although I checked in at 10pm and had to depart the next day at 6am before breakfast was available! )

I was upgraded to executive floor in CNS Hilton last week with lounge access. Like you I did not arrive until ~10:30pm but managed to have breakfast in the morning. Having executive lounge access between 5:30pm-8:30pm would have been much better.

I stayed at the HI the next night and with no lounge access I regretted my decision of staying at the Hilton the night before. I should have swapped the 2 nights around.