How do Hilton treat you as an Elite?

[QF WP]

Just thought I'd create a thread for this - looking back over the last year, I thought I'd done a thread here as well as on Priority Club.

I'm a Gold member.

Friday, 22 May to Sunday, 31 May (yes, 9 nights)
Property: Hilton Cairns
Room booked: King Room
Rate: Travelzoo $135 package rate (included bottle of red wine)
Received: Upgrade to King Suite, card from GM and the wine, obligatory 2 free water bottles per day

Wednesday, 8 July
Property: Hilton Parmelia Perth
Room booked: King Room
Rate: Award room
Received: Upgrade to King Suite, card from GM and the obligatory 2 free water bottles

Thursday, 9 July
Property: Hilton Adelaide
Room booked: King Room
Rate: Award room
Received: Upgrade to Exec Floor, card from GM and the obligatory 2 free water bottles

Saturday, 11 July
Property: Hilton Brisbane
Room booked: King Room
Rate: Met Package (birthday present for Mrs LW, included 2 buffet breakfasts at Atrium Cafe & 2 tickets to Qld Art Gallery for Impressionists Showing from Metropolitan Museum New York - to get some culture)
Received: Upgrade to Exec Floor, card from GM and the obligatory 2 free water bottles

Got some more travel to do to Melbourne this Friday, so hoping to fly down Thursday night to sample the new Hilton.

 

[QF WP]

There is always a good reason:

Hi QF WP,

Hope you are well. I am sorry I missed your call today, I was away in meetings all day.

With regards to your accommodation request for next week, Melbourne is hosting the state of origin game next Wednesday which is keeping us full.

I am really sorry but can’t help you with that one, sorry.

Are you flexible with dates ?

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

Property: Brisbane

Status: Gold

Booked: Standard Twin

Received: Executive Twin

10/6 - 1 night

Upgraded when I checked in.
Executive lounge access. Mark in the EL was very helpful and attentive.

Breakfast was available downstairs in their restaurant but was told that as a gold I could only have continental breakfast but could pay extra for a full hot breakfast. (Hot and continental in one location)

I declined a full breakfast as my morning meeting would have sandwiches ect... Last time I was in Brisbane I got full breakfast with not mention of a fee?

Either way a quick stay and staff very friendly and helpful.

 

[kermatu]

Property: Perth
Status: Diamond
Booked: King Plus
Received: King Deluxe
Late May- 1 night

Not very helpful I know but I'm not sure the room type booked and upgraded to. But there was an upgrade to a slightly larger room (not a suite). Was granted before check-in which I did online. Only to be moved to a lower floor and room with no view on actual arrival (what's the point of online check-in??).

Otherwise very good quick stay. Late checkout granted to 4pm no charge (on request). Voucher for drink and tapas allowed to be used on day of checkout. Water in room, plus small plate of fruit, cake and chocs. Room turned down on arrival. Full breakfast and no charge for coffee in restaurant. Very friendly staff.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Property: Perth
Booked: King Plus
Received: King Deluxe

there was an upgrade to a slightly larger room (not a suite). Was granted before check-in which I did online. Only to be moved to a lower floor and room with no view on actual arrival (what's the point of online check-in??).

I wouldn't be happy with that. I've only used ONCI once but my belief is that when you use it, you've officially and legally checked into that room (same as ONCI with an airline) and the only reason to stop at reception is to get the key card to that room. In fact H-CNS suggested to me that was indeed the case and it's in preparation for smart phone door access where you won't even stop at reception. I agree there is obviously some teething issues to bed down, but I'd be at least asking why my room I've already checked into is not available.

 

[kermatu]

I wouldn't be happy with that. I've only used ONCI once but my belief is that when you use it, you've officially and legally checked into that room (same as ONCI with an airline) and the only reason to stop at reception is to get the key card to that room. In fact H-CNS suggested to me that was indeed the case and it's in preparation for smart phone door access where you won't even stop at reception. I agree there is obviously some teething issues to bed down, but I'd be at least asking why my room I've already checked into is not available.

Happened to me at HSW a few days later as well. This time I went back and complained. Couldn't get room I had checked into but an equivalent and a bottle of wine as compo (though I had to ask). On the app it does say "room is not guaranteed" even when you do ONCI. So my guess is it's not binding. But really what is the point of the feature if it doesn't stick? I would have left some feedback for HSW - only trouble is the only forms in the room and in the EL were 'catch me at my best' forms - nothing for any other type of feedback...

 

[JessicaTam]

Happened to me at HSW a few days later as well. This time I went back and complained. Couldn't get room I had checked into but an equivalent and a bottle of wine as compo (though I had to ask). On the app it does say "room is not guaranteed" even when you do ONCI. So my guess is it's not binding. But really what is the point of the feature if it doesn't stick? I would have left some feedback for HSW - only trouble is the only forms in the room and in the EL were 'catch me at my best' forms - nothing for any other type of feedback...

I have had the opposite. I think it was DT KUL* last week. I turned up after choosing a room with OLCI and was advised it was better not to, as they had to hold that room for me as well as the room I was to be upgraded to. As they were quite full apparently it kept a room out of circulation until I had appeared.

*Might have been HSW

 

[kermatu]

I have had the opposite. I think it was DT KUL* last week. I turned up after choosing a room with OLCI and was advised it was better not to, as they had to hold that room for me as well as the room I was to be upgraded to. As they were quite full apparently it kept a room out of circulation until I had appeared.

*Might have been HSW

Hmmm. Certainly didn't seem to be the case for me at HSW - the hotel was clearly filling up though. When I stood my ground the check-in agent did see that I had in fact done ONCI for a better room, yet I had been put in an inferior one. System failure or a problem with arriving late evening and someone else bumped me - who knows?

In Perth was after 1am when I arrived and I didn't bother chasing up. Was just grateful to have the 4pm checkout - very handy after morning meetings and ahead of a red-eye back to the east coast.

So far I have only done ONCI after I can see I have received some type of upgrade (so usually on day of arrival).

Is there some definitive advice on ONCI or a thread which has more user experiences? I am not yet sold on whether it is smart to do or not.

 

[JessicaTam]

Hmmm. Certainly didn't seem to be the case for me at HSW - the hotel was clearly filling up though. When I stood my ground the check-in agent did see that I had in fact done ONCI for a better room, yet I had been put in an inferior one. System failure or a problem with arriving late evening and someone else bumped me - who knows?

In Perth was after 1am when I arrived and I didn't bother chasing up. Was just grateful to have the 4pm checkout - very handy after morning meetings and ahead of a red-eye back to the east coast.

So far I have only done ONCI after I can see I have received some type of upgrade (so usually on day of arrival).

Is there some definitive advice on ONCI or a thread which has more user experiences? I am not yet sold on whether it is smart to do or not.

I have been told that it doesn't matter if I select a room or check in without choosing, as I will be upgraded if possible regardless.

 

[drross]

I have been told that it doesn't matter if I select a room or check in without choosing, as I will be upgraded if possible regardless.

i haven't used the on line check in just in case i'm offered an upgrade, so very happy to hear that JessicaTam

 

[Aeolus]

Must have been sprinkled with lots of fairy dust from the Hilton fairy godmother, 4th suite upgrades in a row!

Status: Diamond
Property: Conrad HKG
Booked: Deluxe King (on points and pay)
Received: Executive King Suite
Comments: superb views of Kowloon, butler was there when I got to the room to pour me some tea, with chocolates and pastry treats stored in the little wooden treasure chest. Never felt more pampered!!! For 32K points and a little over AUD$200, it was well worth it. Will definitely be back.

 

[JessicaTam]

Must have been sprinkled with lots of fairy dust from the Hilton fairy godmother, 4th suite upgrades in a row!

Status: Diamond
Property: Conrad HKG
Booked: Deluxe King (on points and pay)
Received: Executive King Suite
Comments: superb views of Kowloon, butler was there when I got to the room to pour me some tea, with chocolates and pastry treats stored in the little wooden treasure chest. Never felt more pampered!!! For 32K points and a little over AUD$200, it was well worth it. Will definitely be back.

Sounds great.

 

[Aeolus]

Btw, I agree with JT whole-heartedly, do not do OLCI unless the room is already upgraded to one you like.

 

[boomy]

Status: Diamond
Property: HSW
Booked: King Guestroom
Received: King Yarra Suite
Nice upgrade. Full breakfast in the restaurant still complimentary but coffee tax is applied. I was proactively offered late checkout, which doesn't happen often at HH hotels. Another unusual thing at this property is an early confirmation of upgrade, unlike 24hr before or at check-in as in most HH hotels.

 

[Aeolus]

... and number 5, but this one is a little biased considering the unofficial "friend" status

Status: Diamond
Property: HSYD
Booked: King Guestroom
Received: Relaxation Suite

 

[Buzzard]

Perhaps not the right thread so a mod can move if they so desire.
If you have an Entertainment Book, you can get some great rates at HSW. Looking at September, they have rooms for $135. Not sure if you get any "elite" love or Exec Lounge at this rate. Everyday in September is available plus Oct 1.

 

[boomy]

Perhaps not the right thread so a mod can move if they so desire.
If you have an Entertainment Book, you can get some great rates at HSW. Looking at September, they have rooms for $135. Not sure if you get any "elite" love or Exec Lounge at this rate. Everyday in September is available plus Oct 1.

Don't think this rate gets any elite benefits but at this price does it really matter?
Even the most basic rooms at HSW are nice and good size IMO.

 

[Aeolus]

Perhaps not the right thread so a mod can move if they so desire.
If you have an Entertainment Book, you can get some great rates at HSW. Looking at September, they have rooms for $135. Not sure if you get any "elite" love or Exec Lounge at this rate. Everyday in September is available plus Oct 1.

Wow! Great rates, Buzz and thanks for sharing. Do you need to show the card on check-in?

 

[Buzzard]

Wow! Great rates, Buzz and thanks for sharing. Do you need to show the card on check-in?

I don't think so as you need to log into the Entertainment Book site with your password and book there. Just like booking via any third party site.
The money you save sure buys a lot of drinks at those bars along the Wharf.

 

[Cynicor]

Wow! Great rates, Buzz and thanks for sharing. Do you need to show the card on check-in?

Definitely no need to show the card- many people use the E version now where there is no card.

 

[kermatu]

Status: Diamond
Property: Adelaide
Booked: King Hilton Deluxe Plus
Received: Junior Suite
Stay: 2 nights

Tried online check-in - offered poor rooms 24 hours out. On the day was upgraded to Exec room so did OLCI at that time. On arrival (about 5pm) asked if any suites were available. Was offered junior suite, 14th floor. Took it.

If there was an amenity I missed it. But two waters in room already (replenished next day).

Exec lounge access no problem- better wines than some (HSW) but still pretty poor for SA. Food selection OK and afternoon tea / extended hours good.

Full breakfast downstairs (but a charge for coffee - I have tea anyway). Not as nice as before given refurb work and changed location but is temporary so OK.

Free internet (appeared to be charged for it on selection but automatically removed from the bill).

Staff terrific everywhere.

I liked the fact they had general feedback forms available in room and in lounge -- not just the 'catch me at my best' forms. A sign of confidence in the product and staff.

Not my first stay there and won't be my last.