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.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

That's highly unusual. Was never denied breakfast at restaurant as diamond and you also stayed in a suite!

Not at that hotel, but I've had check in staff tell me breakie in lounge only but on trying out the restaurant, found no additional charge. I think it often comes down to inexperience on the front desk which sees the letter of the law followed diligently!

 

[hydrabyss]

Sydney Hilton
Date: 26th Dec 1 night
Status: Diamond
Booked: Guestroom
Rate: AAA$189
Received: Relaxation Room 3426

Arrived early before upgrades had been processed so went straight to the lounge for a coffee. On entering I mentioned I was waiting for an upgrade to show in the system before checking in but luckily the new lounge manager was on duty and upgraded us straight away. I usually would say the best option is the front desk for upgrades but this time the lounge was the way to go. Although the only problem is you have no idea who is working in the lounge until you get there and with the current staff changes its a bit of a gamble.

 

[boomy]

What are AFFers experiences with booking Hilton through 3rd party? Can still get stay credits and full benefits when updating the HH number at check-in?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

What are AFFers experiences with booking Hilton through 3rd party? Can still get stay credits and full benefits when updating the HH number at check-in?

Sorry, no recent history to comment on. Always book direct, however the only time I booked through wotif a number of years ago, I did get all (non)entitlements. More recently, on a corporate (non-earning) rate, I received all diamond in-house benefits but no points/nights/stay credits.

 

[moa999]

What are AFFers experiences with booking Hilton through 3rd party? Can still get stay credits and full benefits when updating the HH number at check-in?

Nope.
They've just paid 20℅ in commissions in most cases, so definitely no credits.. you might get a better room at check-in based on discretion

 

[LACE]

No stay credits or benefits including breakfast. They can give room upgrades if they are feeling generous but wouldn't count on it.

 

[kremin]

have enjoyed our stays in noumea but have not tried the Hilton...have you stayed previously and can offer a comparison with other hotels?? or would you go back to the Hilton?? and does it have an Exec lounge??

Hi Drross,

First time to Noumea so can't really compare. From what I saw of le med & Ramada, they are more resort like with nice pool areas & the Hilton is apartment style. I liked it because of the location & the view from my balcony. I'd go back due to this, very nice sitting there ( top floor ) & the kitchenette was handy. If I stayed longer than a few days it might be different as location would not be as important. No exec lounge.

K

 

[drross]

Hi Drross,

First time to Noumea so can't really compare. From what I saw of le med & Ramada, they are more resort like with nice pool areas & the Hilton is apartment style. I liked it because of the location & the view from my balcony. I'd go back due to this, very nice sitting there ( top floor ) & the kitchenette was handy. If I stayed longer than a few days it might be different as location would not be as important. No exec lounge.

K

thanks kremin.

 

[kermatu]

What are AFFers experiences with booking Hilton through 3rd party? Can still get stay credits and full benefits when updating the HH number at check-in?

Yes to room upgrades (marginal) and breakfast, but no to stay credits and points, in two experiences in 2016.

 

[Cynicor]

To the letter of the law (i.e program T+Cs), nil recognition and stay credit. Individual properties vary, someitmes best to email them in advance to ask. I did that with Conrad Sin when I couldn't get the same rate through them.

 

[boomy]

Thanks for the replies.

I've always booked Hilton direct but this time was looking to redeem some free nights from Hotels.com (accumulated at non-brand hotels). Don't want to look like an idiot at check-in flashing my diamond card just to be told I'm getting nothing so guess I'll have to wait and redeem at those nights at independent hotels where benefits/stay credits don't mean much.

 

[foggy]

you could try booking the first night direct and have the 2nd night done with hotels.com

 

[rse43]

Hilton Sydney
Date: 23th Dec 2 nights
Status: Diamond
Booked: King Hilton Deluxe Plus Room
Rate: Member sale $185/n
Received: King Hilton Deluxe Plus Room
No upgrades received before or upon check-in, asked and was told no room is available for upgrade. Took advantage of AMEX $300-150 promo and also paid $10 coffee tax using my visa platinum card, got around 23k points in total. Points and promo all considered, the out of pocket cost was probably around $70 for two nights.

 

[hydrabyss]

Hilton Sydney
Date: 23th Dec 2 nights
Status: Diamond
Booked: King Hilton Deluxe Plus Room
Rate: Member sale $185/n
Received: King Hilton Deluxe Plus Room
No upgrades received before or upon check-in, asked and was told no room is available for upgrade. Took advantage of AMEX $300-150 promo and also paid $10 coffee tax using my visa platinum card, got around 23k points in total. Points and promo all considered, the out of pocket cost was probably around $70 for two nights.

I asked about suite availability and was told that the last few months there has been very low availability leaving very few for upgrades.

 

[boomy]

I asked about suite availability and was told that the last few months there has been very low availability leaving very few for upgrades.

Don't believe anything they tell you at hilton Sydney. Some staff members at check-in are big liars when trying to justify lack of upgrades. Always check on the HH app when you are there to keep them honest.

 

[hydrabyss]

Don't believe anything they tell you at hilton Sydney. Some staff members at check-in are big liars when trying to justify lack of upgrades. Always check on the HH app when you are there to keep them honest.

It was actually the other way around. After staying overnight I asked my partner if she wanted to stay another night. Rate was still $189(AAA) but I wanted to keep the same room which was a relax. room. Checked the website but there was no availability but I thought it still cant hurt to ask. So headed off to the lounge to enquire and after a few taps on the keyboard the answer was yes. Now as mutch as I like to think they may have been willing to boot another diamond out of there upgrade I figured they must keep a few available for longer stays but could allocate if needed.Unfortunately my partner was keen to stay right up to the point of when she asked me who was paying.

 

[boomy]

It was actually the other way around. After staying overnight I asked my partner if she wanted to stay another night. Rate was still $189(AAA) but I wanted to keep the same room which was a relax. room. Checked the website but there was no availability but I thought it still cant hurt to ask. So headed off to the lounge to enquire and after a few taps on the keyboard the answer was yes. Now as mutch as I like to think they may have been willing to boot another diamond out of there upgrade I figured they must keep a few available for longer stays but could allocate if needed.Unfortunately my partner was keen to stay right up to the point of when she asked me who was paying.

Good result. My comment earlier was about telling guests at check-in there are no better rooms for complementary upgrade when there are in fact plenty available. Your case was bit different, hotels will usually do everything they can to let guests stay in the same room or at least similar/better room type.

While I hope whoever was supposed to stay in that room ended up being upgraded, your theory can be also correct. Last year my friend booked deluxe room, upgraded to relaxation the night before and then downgraded to executive at check-in. It was on her birthday so it sucked but still couldn't complain as she still got the "mandatory" one level upgrade.

 

[DC3]

... Now as mutch as I like to think they may have been willing to boot another diamond out of there upgrade ..

Maybe that explain the odd upgrade, pre-check-in, that gets re-set back to what I actually booked, upon arrival

 

[drivatruk]

Hilton HSW
Date: 7 Jan
Status: Diamond
Booked: King Hilton Deluxe Room
Rate: Member sale $185/n
Received: two bedroom suite

I decided on a weekend in the city and mistakenly booked a king room. Upon checkin was given a King Executive guest room. Asked about a room with two beds as i'd booked a king by mistake. i asked a for a double upgrade as we are both diamonds. The sweet lady on reception decided a two bedroom suite would be suitable for us.
Room 1815 with lovely views of the roadwork traffic jams on Citylink which i was fortunate enough not to be in.

Stunning hotel with very nice staff and great Sausage rolls in the Lounge.

 

[mlob]

A friend is thinking of joining myself and my family for a night at the Brisbane Hilton. As a diamond will she receive my benefits as well if I book both rooms?