HHonours Gold vs Agoda

[Willsmere]

Hi I recently qualified for gold velocity membership and chose the hilton honurs gold membership. Just wondering are the benefits worth it? (no that it cost me anything) and do you have to book direct through Hilton to get them? If I am purely chasing points am I better just booking through Agoda for the velocity points? Thanks for any advice.

 

[dajop]

When you book directly via Hilton as a gold, you get certain in-property benefits such as free (continental) breakfast. You may not get these booked through agoda.

On the points side of the ledger, you get the opportunity to earn 12.5 HHonors points per USD + 2 Velocity pts per USD ( if you opt for Velocity as your preference ). The HHonors points can be used for accommodation or you can transfer to Velocity at 10,000 HH = 1500 Velocity. At exchange rate of 0.77 USD:AUD, using this transfer method this means a net earn of ~3 Velocity points per AUD.

But often HHonors points are useful to get free accommodation to use with your free award flights. You can book a $300 /night property for 60000 HH points, this is properly better value than getting 9000 Velocity points.

 

[jackthomas]

I got my Gold HHonors through Velocity and have maintained it on my own since then and wouldn't want to go without it.

The free buffet, room upgrades and other benefits all make it worth it for me, plus Hilton have a Price Match Guarantee (Although it can be a little fussy)

Good Luck! Let us know how you go.

 

[Willsmere]

Cheers for the comments. I'll give it a go if the card ever turns up! Been 5-6 weeks since I accepted the offer.

 

[drdpr]

My experience and 2¢ worth of what to do is: A) if the rate between Agoda and Hilton is say less than $15 and all the same conditions "appear" to be met, book it on Hilton then immediately make a claim on the hilton price match guarantee. Recent example for Brisbane Hilton, I found a cheaper rate that I think was $2 less, did the booking, claimed, received the $50 as a credit off the price matched room night rate. B) if it is more then this (threshold rate up to you) then find the best rate on the hotel aggregator website, call HH directly make them confirm and price match over the phone and complete the booking. You obviously miss out on the $50, but then don't run the lottery of the rate changing/disappearing and HH trying to find the excuses to get out of the commitment. I also did this recently for Brisbane. Saved $60 on the rate, but at least 100% guaranteed rather then run the gauntlet of the "potential $50 win. C) Obviously if both comparable rates are cancellable, you can't lose. Book and make a claim to get the $50 off plus the saving.

 

[jackthomas]

My experience and 2¢ worth of what to do is: A) if the rate between Agoda and Hilton is say less than $15 and all the same conditions "appear" to be met, book it on Hilton then immediately make a claim on the hilton price match guarantee. Recent example for Brisbane Hilton, I found a cheaper rate that I think was $2 less, did the booking, claimed, received the $50 as a credit off the price matched room night rate. B) if it is more then this (threshold rate up to you) then find the best rate on the hotel aggregator website, call HH directly make them confirm and price match over the phone and complete the booking. You obviously miss out on the $50, but then don't run the lottery of the rate changing/disappearing and HH trying to find the excuses to get out of the commitment. I also did this recently for Brisbane. Saved $60 on the rate, but at least 100% guaranteed rather then run the gauntlet of the "potential $50 win. C) Obviously if both comparable rates are cancellable, you can't lose. Book and make a claim to get the $50 off plus the saving.

Interesting point with your B), I've tried to get hotels to do this (including Brisbane) and they refused and claimed there was nothing they could do... (sad face)

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Hotels are locked in rate parity agreements so the price directly through the hotel chain website will always be equal than the online travel agent.

If on the chance it's lower on Agoda etc (which does happen) it's usually due to a room block and you can cash in on the hotel best rate guarantee. Don't screw around trying to do it yourself just let stayangel.com handle the automatic submission for you as it automatically checks prices etc.

However Hilton also lets you double dip on points so you can earn velocity points in all bookings through them direct.

The only reason you will ever have to use an OTA is when you're staying at a non chain property and you can cash in on the buy 10 get 1 free type deals with hotels.com

Just remember that despite all the marketing you receive from Agoda etc about prices being cheap - booking direct is almost always cheaper.

 

[froggerADL]

Cheers for the comments. I'll give it a go if the card ever turns up! Been 5-6 weeks since I accepted the offer.

You don't need a card. I've been Diamond for over three years and never had one. Just check your online account to make sure that you've been upgraded and you're good to go.

 

[Buzzard]

Cheers for the comments. I'll give it a go if the card ever turns up! Been 5-6 weeks since I accepted the offer.

I never received a Gold card but did receive a Diamond card plus a small gift.
Mrs.B on the other hand received a Gold card. Go figure.

Like froggerADL said, you don't need really a card.

 

[froggerADL]

What was the "small gift" Buzz?

 

[straitman]

What was the "small gift" Buzz?

I got a deck of cards. I can forward them to you if you feel the need.

 

[froggerADL]

I got a deck of cards. I can forward them to you if you feel the need.

So a very small gift then.

 

[Denali]

I got a deck of cards. I can forward them to you if you feel the need. 

Did the cards have their various hotels on the back & info on the hotels?

 

[Willsmere]

You don't need a card. I've been Diamond for over three years and never had one. Just check your online account to make sure that you've been upgraded and you're good to go.

Thanks, when accepting my offer I ticked the box that I wasn't currently a member. So I never actually joined yet. It said I will receive confirmation in some form but nothing, not even an email. This was almost 8 weeks ago. On my velocity account it just says "opted in", I have no honours number. Should I follow it up?

 

[froggerADL]

Yes, definitely follow it up with Virgin.

 

[Denali]

Thanks, when accepting my offer I ticked the box that I wasn't currently a member. So I never actually joined yet. It said I will receive confirmation in some form but nothing, not even an email. This was almost 8 weeks ago. On my velocity account it just says "opted in", I have no honours number. Should I follow it up?

Yes to following up because my experience was 2 phones calls to VA (not our problem, call Hilton was VAs response) and 2 calls to Hilton (we are unaware of any agreement was Hiltons response) and a email to Hilton (we investigated and are unable to give you status was that response) I posted a thread in the VA forum and fortunately VA Rep followed up and I got an apology email and Diamond status within days.

 

[Buzzard]

What was the "small gift" Buzz?

A pack of Hilton playing cards and a booklet of rules/instructions for some card games. A nice "little" gift actually.

 

[Buzzard]

Did the cards have their various hotels on the back & info on the hotels?

Not sure as I have not opened the pack