Hilton SW (MEL) will be rebranded to Pan Pacific from May 31 [now July 27]

[Virgin Bart]

Depends upon which roof! If built off the lounge there is the roof area. I could never understand the short-sightedness of the owners in not making that big ugly roof area a lovely pool zone with sweeping river and city views. That would have made that property so much more desirable for many people.

Yes! This. I completely agree.

 

[kermatu]

Depends upon which roof! If built off the lounge there is the roof area. I could never understand the short-sightedness of the owners in not making that big ugly roof area a lovely pool zone with sweeping river and city views. That would have made that property so much more desirable for many people.

If it's that roof, sure. Much better use of space if structurally feasible. But that's not the lounge deck mentioned above. Rush was a bit unclear as it was a couple of months ago, and I could easily have misunderstood.

 

[0xDEADBEEF]

Definitely the actual roof as she was talking about calling it the 20th floor and having to use the freight elevator to get to it.

 

[straitman]

I received an email last night confirming that I am now 'Discovery Black' member so we'll see how that works at the Melbourne Airport Park Royal next Sunday night.

No credit yet for the last HSW stay though.

 

[straitman]

If it's that roof, sure. Much better use of space if structurally feasible. But that's not the lounge deck mentioned above. Rush was a bit unclear as it was a couple of months ago, and I could easily have misunderstood.

Discussions I had with Rush indicated that they were looking at the feasibility of extending onto the 20th floor.

IF this happens it won't be anytime soon IMHO.

 

[boomy]

I received an email last night confirming that I am now 'Discovery Black'

I was offered match to Platinum only which I rejected.
Guess 40+ nights last year don't mean much. No big deal, will finish my pre-booked stays and move on...

 

[Fifa]

Grrrrrr - I received the following email this morning so the correspondence will be continuing:

Dear fifa, [FONT=wf_segoe-ui_normal] [/FONT][FONT=wf_segoe-ui_normal] [/FONT]
[FONT=wf_segoe-ui_normal]Thank you for contacting Hilton Guest Assistance. My name is Isleen. [/FONT]
[FONT=wf_segoe-ui_normal] [/FONT]
[FONT=wf_segoe-ui_normal]The hotel Hilton Melbourne South Wharf, Australia is no longer affiliated with Hilton Brand Hotels. [/FONT]
[FONT=wf_segoe-ui_normal] [/FONT]
[FONT=wf_segoe-ui_normal]I have posted 4,000 Bonus Points to your Hilton Honors account as a gesture of goodwill on your Hilton Honors account. [/FONT]
[FONT=wf_segoe-ui_normal] [/FONT]
[FONT=wf_segoe-ui_normal]Thanks for your ongoing loyalty and understanding. If you have any questions, we want to speak to you personally. You can connect with us via Chat Click Here, email, or reach us via telephone at +1-888-240-6152. [/FONT]
[FONT=wf_segoe-ui_normal] [/FONT]
[FONT=wf_segoe-ui_normal]Best regards,[/FONT]

 

[QF WP]

Keep pushing fifa. Sometimes regardless of what the people on the ground say, the people in a customer contact centre in the USA run by the book.

 

[Fifa]

Keep pushing fifa. Sometimes regardless of what the people on the ground say, the people in a customer contact centre in the USA run by the book.

Yep - I'm like a dog with a bone when it comes to missing points/stays/miles/status credits .

 

[serfty]

Yep - I'm like a dog with a bone when it comes to missing points/stays/miles/status credits .

Go get 'em ...

Seems it's easy to say no when computer says so ...

 

[JessicaTam]

And I am still waiting for a response - any response.

 

[NZflygirl]

I never stayed at HSW as too expensive whenever I looked but have just left Pan Pacific.

It's funny because on the way in to MEL I was like "I don't really have a favourite hotel in this city" although there are still many left to try. When I reached Pan Pacific it soon became clear why HSW was a favourite amongst AFF.

Anyway data point, PGR/GHA black: Upgraded from Premier King City room to Yarra Suite (double room upgrade), free water, internet. Late checkout to 130pm only (part of their T&C for suites, I don't think you can get the 6pm check-out). Suites gave lounge access which I only just thought about AFTER breakfast but I got in for a quick look anyway.
You can also accrue airline miles, I have mine set to SQ. I actually need to chase up Kempinski from a previous stay but am hoping Pan Pacific accrues. Only 500 miles but hey - it's free! There are a few other airline programmes also. I was initially told you could link online but couldn't find an area on the website to do this but have since been told it is linked already so although you're not accruing hotel points you can accrue airline miles. You can also use some of the platinum and black local experience awards without needing to stay at a particular hotel.

Anyway the view is pretty cool, the room is awesome. I probably wouldn't give up 30-40 nights at HH to switch to GHA but I'd probably still stay at this place (if the price was right) as it is a very nice property. It might even be the new favourite in MEL, certainly ranking as the best experience so far.

I will say GHA have never skipped a beat when it comes to loyalty recognition and upgrades although I've only stayed in 6 different branded properties of theirs to date.
Personally it's easier for me to gain GHA black via PGR stays due to the lower requirement.

I think it would be sad to see people leave due to the rebrand given it is a really nice property. Could accrue to hotels.com as it's listed there now or via the qantas website.

 

[Matt_01]

I received an email last night confirming that I am now 'Discovery Black'

I did not receive an email, however got an unexpected surprise when I logged into my Discovery account this morning, I have been moved to Black.

Maybe I will start using the chain more often now.

 

[rfur78]

anyone care to shed light on how they went about status match?

interestingly i stayed last night and i am stuck in a weird limbo on PGR/GHA status.

currently:
PRG Black
GHA Plat

on checking in, presented the PGR card (co branded) with discovery and the young lady hadn't seen that one before. as a plat in the system i had already received a room upgrade (prem king room) and she agreed to lounge access so i felt happy. she said she'd get back to me on PGR black recognition but havent heard back anything from the hotel yet.

had a chat to rush as well and he didnt seem any the wiser to how the PGR status would be recognized at the hotel. they are only just getting their heads around the GHA program to date. interestingly he said there are plans to upgrade the lounge in the short to medium term that would required it to be shut down. the other thing he mentioned was the plan to make the lounge more exclusive and limit the number of rooms that have lounge access to 50 on any given night.

as for lounge offering the quality of food was better but the amounts and variety was behind the hilton days. we had breakfast downstairs and same again, quality was there but greatly reduced offering.

i kind of had the feeling that i may have got the hotel on a quiet night, or the new management are running at a slightly lower capacity.

left the hotel feeling like id gone back to an ex girl friend and it turns out shes wasn't as good as i remembered...

 

[oz_mark]

on checking in, presented the PGR card (co branded) with discovery and the young lady hadn't seen that one before. as a plat in the system i had already received a room upgrade (prem king room) and she agreed to lounge access so i felt happy. she said she'd get back to me on PGR black recognition but havent heard back anything from the hotel yet.

Your PGR status doesn't count for anything outside the Rydges/Atura/Qt chains. It is only GHA status that counts at Pan Pacific.

 

[rfur78]

interestingly all my HSW stays have vanished from my stay history on my hilton account. anyone else?

 

[rfur78]

my understanding of the PGR/Discovery program is based on below out of the T&C's on PGR webite:

8. Benefits Matrix
From August 2014 new members who become a PGR member are automatically able to receive DISCOVERY membership benefits when staying at a GHA partner hotel or resort.
Members, who joined prior to August 2014, must update their details at www.pgr.com.au to “opt-in” to receive DISCOVERY membership benefits when staying at a GHA partner hotel or resort.
Existing PGR members (who joined prior to August 2014) who do not “opt- in” and update their membership at pgr.com.au to receive DISCOVERY benefits will not receive DISCOVERY benefits or recognition when staying at a GHA partner hotel or resort.
Stays at Event Hospitality & Entertainment Hotels Stays at GHA Hotels

Benefits	PGR Entry	PGR 2nd tier	PGR 3rd tier	GHA Entry	GHA 2nd tier	GHA 3rd tier
Qualification	0-4 stays or 10 RN	5-9 stays or 10 RN	10+ stays or 30 RN
10% off Best Flexible Rate*	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes**	Yes**	Yes**
15% off Best Flexible Rate*	No	Yes	Yes	x	x	x
Earn PGR Points*	Yes – 10 pts	Yes – 15 pts	Yes – 20 pts	x	x	x
F &B Discount	Yes – 20%	Yes – 20%	Yes – 50%	x	x	x
Free Drink	Yes	Yes	Yes	x	x	x
Free Bottled Water	x	x	x	Yes	Yes	Yes
Late Checkout	Yes	Yes	Yes – 6pm	No	Yes – 3pm	Yes – 6pm
Free Newspaper	x	x	x	Yes	Yes	Yes
Earn Local Experiences	x	x	x	Yes	Yes	Yes
Guaranteed Availability	x	x	x	No	Yes – 48hrs	Yes – 24hrs
Room upgrades	x	x	x		Yes – one level	Yes – Two level
Customised room preference	x	x	x	No	No	Yes

* = for direct online bookings via pgr.com.au or Event Hospitality & Entertainment branded website ONLY
**= for direct online bookings via gha.com ONLY
9. Dual membership
From 01 August 2014, individuals will not be able to combine nor merge PGR and DISCOVERY membership accounts to either ‘double dip’ to receive benefits and rewards from both programs on a single stay at either an Event Hospitality & Entertainment Participating Hotel or GHA Partner Hotel or to attain a higher tier status in either program.
Updated 19 October 2016

 

[Fifa]

After sending a reply email explaining that I stayed at HSW when it was still a Hilton I received the following this morning. Unbelievable! And so it continues...

Dear fifa,

Thank you for contacting Hilton Guest Assistance. My name is Loraine. It will be my pleasure to assist with your points concern.

The hotel to which you are referring is no longer affiliated with Hilton. Unfortunately, we do not have any information regarding the property's new management. If you would like to contact the hotel directly for further information, please call 61-3-9027-2000.

Thanks for your ongoing loyalty and understanding. If you have any questions, we want to speak to you personally. You can connect with us via Chat, email, orreach us via telephone at +1-888-240-6152.

Best regards,

 

[Bundy Bear]

After sending a reply email explaining that I stayed at HSW when it was still a Hilton I received the following this morning. Unbelievable! And so it continues...

Dear fifa,

Thank you for contacting Hilton Guest Assistance. My name is Loraine. It will be my pleasure to assist with your points concern.

The hotel to which you are referring is no longer affiliated with Hilton. Unfortunately, we do not have any information regarding the property's new management. If you would like to contact the hotel directly for further information, please call 61-3-9027-2000.

Thanks for your ongoing loyalty and understanding. If you have any questions, we want to speak to you personally. You can connect with us via Chat, email, orreach us via telephone at +1-888-240-6152.

Best regards,

Best post this on Flyertalk and see if they have any other recommendations.

 

[serfty]

Half the trouble is that H Honors credits based on status one second before Midnight USA CST on the day of check-out.

e.g. I checked into the Adelaide Hilton on April first as a Diamond, receiving breakfast and lounge access. That stay however posted as a Silver.

The South Wharf was no longer a Hilton property when you checked out. Hence my July 11th foreboding post.

I'm sure it will be fixed but may take some doing.