Hotel Frequent Guest Programs Asia.

[QF WP]

I wonder whether the Hilton contact is still working for Hilton, perhaps that's why she hasn't posted on FT since October.

When in doubt, ring and try the merry-go-round until you get the qanswer you want.

sweens, I hope you get your Frequent Guest programs sorted and are soon into the elite statuses.

 

[serfty]

I recently sent an email to [email protected] and received a reply within 24 hours.

 

[sweens]

A Quick up date...I rang HHonors 1 800 no. and was immediatly give Silver Status no big deal, so after talking to Lindsey & reading the post about the Am Ex link with HHonors I rang Am Ex of which I am a heavy user of the Qantas Am Ex Ultimate card & requested that they give me a code to prove that I have a heavy spend so as I could then have a fast tract to gold.
see following post...

Fast track to HHonors Gold via Amex promotion code
For my upcoming DONE4, I'm thinking of staying at Hilton properties as much as possible.
I'm currently on HHonors Blue and will be Silver after my next week's stay at Conrad Jupiter.

I rang the HHonors Desk and asked whether I can be fast tracked to Gold so I can enjoy the benefits sooner. They told me that if I had a promotion code from Amex where I have spent over $20,000 in a year, then they can give me Gold status.

I have only just opened Amex RM so spending hasn't reach 20K yet. We have a Qantas Amex Premium with spending over 20K but my wife is the primary card holder and I was told by the Amex call centre person that the HHonor promotion code has to match the Amex primary card holder. We don't really want to open another HHonors under my wife's name as we normally travel together and don't want to split the points.

They are also not sure whether:
- the offer only good for charge card but not credit card
- the Qantas Amex card would be eligible as points go directly to QFF

Has anyone had any experience with fast tracking to HHonors Gold via Amex promotion code?

sparoy

AM EX contacted Hilton HHonors re this and they have agreed to forward me a letter outlaying my spending patterns which Hhonors have said once recieved that they will accept & fast track me to gold...I won't hold my breath but it is worth a try.

Sweens

 

[straitman]

I recently sent an email to [email protected] and received a reply within 24 hours.

Thanks Ross. I'll try again.

 

[QF WP]

Fingers crossed sweens. At least you have confirmed that Amex does have a ti-in with HHonors - can't see any good reason why Amex won't come up with the letter and HHonors with the Gold card.

Now perhaps I should go back and get my HHonors back to Gold using the same process.

 

[simongr]

Well I got a response from Hilton:

Thank you for your e-mail requesting an upgrade to the Gold VIP level.

In order to maintain the integrity and protect the benefits of the Gold VIP program, we are unfortunately unable to provide complimentary upgrades to the Gold VIP level. As there is a program cost associated with providing these benefits, it is not financially feasible for us to provide this level to those members who do not earn the level based on the revenue generated through their individual stays and room nights.

Gold VIP status may now be earned through recording 16 qualifying stays, 36 qualifying nights or 60,000 qualifying base points during a period of 12 consecutive months. To calculate the number of stays, nights or base points you need to attain Gold VIP status in the coming months, you may utilize the Rolling VIP Tier Upgrade chart by signing into your account online at Hilton Family and selecting the HHonors Activity tab.

We appreciate your understanding regarding our position and hope to welcome you to the Gold VIP level in the future based on your continued loyalty.

Ahh well we will see what we can manage this year...

 

[serfty]

Well I got a response from Hilton:

Ahh well we will see what we can manage this year...

Similar to the initial response I recieved (even though they did comp me silver). As I posted, it took about 6 months and 4 emails over that time; although I was using the Hilton Premium club and had racked up 6 or 7 stays in that period.

 

[simongr]

Its n biggie - it was worth a shot. I hope now that I will hit the required days - my asia trip now only has 5 nights in PVG Hilton

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Its n biggie - it was worth a shot. I hope now that I will hit the required days - my asia trip now only has 5 nights in PVG Hilton

If you fall just short I am sure a weekend or two away with your SO in Melbourne or Adelaide wouldn't go astray.

 

[simongr]

I will be keeping a close eye on the situation. The downer is that the only Hilton in Hong Kong is a Conrad - thus $$$$ and given I have 4 week in HKG this year its a shame to miss out.

I might ask the admin in HKG to check it out for me. ANother option might be switching hotels a couple of times whilst in HKG so I stay in the Corad on a weekend

 

[simongr]

Hmm - can I just check my logic on this as I think due to teh ridiculously high hotel rates I pay I might qualify on base points.

As I understand you need 60K base points for Gold and 100K for Diamond. Base points are earned at the rate of 10 per US$ spent on hotels - that includes room service, laundry etc.

I currently have 19K base points earned in Nov 2006. So I need 41K base points before Nov 2007 to get gold and 81K to Diamond. That translates to US$4,100 and US$8,100.

I have two stays planned:

Hilton Shanghai CNY2340/night - 4 nights
Hilton London GBP136/night - 20 nights

So converting those amounts I should spend (excl room service):

Shanghai - US$1,216
London - US$5,400

Giving me a total of US$ spent of US$6,616 - 66K base points - and only US$1,500 off Diamond.

Is my logic correct in this? Am I missing something? Three nights at the Conrad would easily get me Diamond after that then? Is Diamond worth it?

S

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Hmm - can I just check my logic on this as I think due to teh ridiculously high hotel rates I pay I might qualify on base points.

As I understand you need 60K base points for Gold and 100K for Diamond. Base points are earned at the rate of 10 per US$ spent on hotels

Yes, excluding taxes

- that includes room service, laundry etc.

Mostly, but some outsourced hotel services don't count. It isn't always obvious what is outsourced and what isn't - some surprising cases both ways.

I currently have 19K base points earned in Nov 2006. So I need 41K base points before Nov 2007 to get gold and 81K to Diamond. That translates to US$4,100 and US$8,100.

Don't forget rolling tier for HHonors works based on posting date not date of stay. That has caught many people out.

I have two stays planned:

Hilton Shanghai CNY2340/night - 4 nights
Hilton London GBP136/night - 20 nights

So converting those amounts I should spend (excl room service):

Shanghai - US$1,216
London - US$5,400

Giving me a total of US$ spent of US$6,616 - 66K base points - and only US$1,500 off Diamond.

Is my logic correct in this? Am I missing something? Three nights at the Conrad would easily get me Diamond after that then? Is Diamond worth it?

S

Check if the rates include taxes, if so subtract them off.

If you stay at Hilton hotels often, Diamond is definitely worth more than US$1500 spend (most of which you would have paid anyway to stay another hotel in HK).

Plenty of nice upgrades. Diamond force has been good to me. I even managed a point stretcher award when there was NO award availability showing (and booked just before the hotel went up 2 categories thus saving even more points). I have also managed a Diamond force for manhattan on new years eve! (although I think I was lucky there).

 

[serfty]

... Is Diamond worth it? ...

HHonors Diamond (& Gold) are generally worth it.

Since being GOLD I am 15 for 17 over 24 months on being upgraded to Exec level on a standard booking; all stays have included a complimentary breakfast.

 

[simongr]

Thanks guys - I will subtract taxes - but looks like I will at least comfortably make gold - I will see how I am going before I book my next trip to HKG - I am hoping a little further out and booking through my local office we migth be able to get a better rate (might even book through our US office).

I never thought I would qualify on base points - that GBP/US$ rate is great

 

[NM]

Hmm - can I just check my logic on this as I think due to teh ridiculously high hotel rates I pay I might qualify on base points.

Last year I qualifying HH Diamond via all possible methods (nights, stays and base points). Unless you are using Hampton Inns on discounted weekend saver rates, 60 nights is going to get you pretty close to the base points qualification anyway..

 

[serfty]

Well I got a response from Hilton:
...
Ahh well we will see what we can manage this year...

Thinking further, I suggest you should rack up those few stays over the next month or so (you'll get 'Silver' if you have four); then try again. Mention your expected stay requirements this year and that you would consider using Hilton more favorably if you are either granted complimentary Gold Status or given the opportunity to earn it using a 'fast track'
.

 

[simongr]

I guess the problem is that I wont rack up too many stays before I go to the UK - and after that I will be comfortably Gold. I have just increased my stay in Shanghai by a night.

I will be silver by the end of next week after my nights in Shanghai and am not convinced they will let it slide to Gold. I will see how we go.

EDIT

And I just checked I did get the base points for my recent stay in the Hilton Sydney - so now only need 37K Base points for Gold and 77K for Diamond - getting closer

 

[simongr]

OK just a quick update on this - I got a response from the [email protected] email address:

From: Flyertalk [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, 22 May 2007 7:05 AM
To: simongr
Subject: RE: HHonors Status - member number 101010101

Mr. simongr:

Thank you for your email.

At this time, I do not have any offers to upgrade to the Gold VIP level. To qualify for the Gold VIP level, you need 16 qualifying stays, 36 qualifying nights, or 60,000 base points, earned in any consecutive 12-month period.

The Status Match offering is the only exception to this. If you have the highest tier with one of our competitors, please fax the complete statement showing all activity completed to earn the status with the competitor to (972) 371-5110 for review and a Fast Track to Diamond VIP offer.

Please let me know if you need anything further.

Best regards,

Cynthia Ortiz

So my last ditch attempt to get my room upgraded when in London (three weeks in a nicer room would be great) was this:

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate the qualification requirements and as I will be staying at the Hilton Metropole in London for three weeks and the Conrad in Hong Kong in August for two weeks which should generate 100,000 base points for Diamond (it will be gold after the stay in London as I should have approximately 75,000 base points) – just disappointing that I will not be able to avail myself of the Gold benefits whilst in London. A further two weeks is planned in Hong Kong in November and I will assess before booking that trip what will be the most beneficial for that stay.

Thanks again for your assistance.

Regards

simongr

I will just now think about putting a few nights to marriott in November once I hit Diamond on Hilton - but probably better value to stick to Hilton for better earning and kick starting the next twelve months of base point earning...

As an aside - I am at the Hilton in Shanghai and in one of their new room - absolutley brilliant - 40in plasma TV in the room!!!

Trip reporting is simpending...

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Trip reporting is simpending...

Ah excellent. Another read to look forward to.

 

[simongr]

Dont hold your breath - a little slower getting the trip report out this time - a couple too many heavy nights in HKG