HHonors VIP Hotel Benefits

[JohnK]

I have already received email back from HPC marketing that they have forwarded documentation to Conrad so I can receive credit of 20% off pre-paid rate. It is only $36.10 but it is still a significant amount to pursue....

The email to HPC must have worked a treat. The money was credited promptly into Amex credit card account yesterday morning less than a day after I requested the credit to be applied....

 

[oz_mark]

• Repeat, always check out! (Don't use express check-out)
• Repeat, always get final documentation!

I never ever use express check-out at any hotel. Too many instances of Mini Bar charges randomly appearing. Unfortunately, I cannot trust hotels to get the bill correct.

 

[drron]

Even checking out manually mini bar amounts can be added later to your CC as happened to me at the Waldorf towers last year.To add insult to injury they refunded the amount by cheque in US dollars that would have cost more to cash than the amount on it.Haven't stayed at a Hilton since they did that and posted a letter enclosing cheque to Hilton Head office when in LOTFAP recently.

 

[kpc]

I never ever use express check-out at any hotel. Too many instances of Mini Bar charges randomly appearing. Unfortunately, I cannot trust hotels to get the bill correct.

I'm more paranoid:shock:....if available, I check my bill on the TV screen regulary during my stay, and immediately query any suspicious items. Just last week, I found a mysterious charge for a chocolate bar when I checked my bill at 1145pm, and immediately rang reception to get it removed immediately!!

Different hotel chain, but similar story, the hotel (CP Newcastle) automatically added valet parking to my bill. They quickly removed it when I told them in no uncertain terms that i had not used it, and if they like, they can follow me out to the street, where my car was currently parked!!

I reiterate serfty's practice. Never ever use express checkout....settle the bill at checkout. If I have an early start, and can't wait, I settle the bill the night before, saying that i will not be using any of the minibar items that night!

 

[oz_mark]

Even checking out manually mini bar amounts can be added later to your CC as happened to me at the Waldorf towers last year.To add insult to injury they refunded the amount by cheque in US dollars that would have cost more to cash than the amount on it.Haven't stayed at a Hilton since they did that and posted a letter enclosing cheque to Hilton Head office when in LOTFAP recently.

I have never had that happen to me, but it would certainly be annoying if it did. Anyway, one or two experiences, and express checkout is something I do not use at any hotel, any chain, any city.

 

[straitman]

I have only ever used Express Checkout once and without issue.

I've always had a nagging in the back of my head that it was safer not to use it and now you have all reinforced that for me.

I definitely won't be using it again.

Thanks.

 

[JohnK]

JohnK, please post how you get on with receiving both the 1,000 bonus points under the HHonors promotion and the 3,000 QFF points under that promotion. I'm concerned that the fine print in the Qantas offer (ie. 'cannot be combined with any other promotion') may mean you can't have both. However, I am optimistic because HHonors allows the double-dip and this is essentially what it is (at least that's what I'm claiming).

For this stay I have so far received the 3,000 QFF points and 1,000 HHonors points for Q2 Bonus points offer. So it would appear that you can be registered for both promotions.

What is disappointing is that I received only Silver VIP Bonus points and also did not receive the 1,000 Gold VIP Hotel benefit we have been discussing in this thread. I was a HHonors Gold until end of April 2009 but this stay did not post until 14 May 2009 and they have posted it as if I was a silver.

About to send email off to HHonors asking to be credited the Gold VIP bonus and Gold VIP Hotel benefits.

 

[Danger]

How does the room upgrade benefit work at Hiltons for golds (and diamonds) in relation to the eStandby Upgrade requests?

Specifically, I've booked a king Hilton guestroom plus in Sydney and completed an eStandby Upgrade request for a $15 upgrade to a king deluxe room. The request notes that, based on my Gold profile, I'll be offered a king deluxe if available.

Suppose I do get the $15 upgrade. Does this mean that that's the room I booked? The HHonors website says "You will be upgraded to an Executive Floor room (where/when available) at time of check-in. If an Executive Floor room is unavailable, you will be upgraded to the next best available room from the room type booked." If it is then my reading of this is I should be upgraded to the next best room (if available), which may well be higher than an executive room (eg. a relaxation room).

 

[serfty]

Personally, I would NEVER use a nor1 type upgrade as it detracts from the benefits of HH status.

More (on FT) here:

• Where Have All The Upgrades Gone? - FlyerTalk Forums
• Hilton San Francisco- New Upgrade policy? (Nor 1) - FlyerTalk Forums
• Who gets upgrade priority at a NOR1 property? - FlyerTalk Forums
• Nor1 Hotels Thread - FlyerTalk Forums
• Why am I being offered a paid upgrade to the Ex Floor - Doubletree Galleria Houston - FlyerTalk Forums
• The eStandby Offer - FlyerTalk Forums
• HHonors Diamond Award Stay.... No upgrades in empty hotel unless I pay $30.00 per day - FlyerTalk Forums

At the very least as a Gold you will get complimentary breakfast (if you select the upgrade as your VIP benefit).

 

[Danger]

Interesting. I'd never heard any of that. Although I don't fully understand how it dilutes elite status the popular opinion is it does. So, eStandby Upgrade request cancelled!

 

[serfty]

'Tis fully up to you whether you choose to use this facility or not.

IMHO, there is nothing wrong with a hotel endeavoring to increase revenue in that manner. "Business is Business"

The dilution is that an upgrade will go to the $$$ rather than being complimentary for elites; Thereby reducing the chances for Diamond and Gold of getting VIP complementary upgrades.

So, the more people who use this, the less likely HHonors elites will recieve an upgrade. At least for a HHonors gold, complimentary breakfast and for a diamond, executive lounge access rights are inalienable.