Is Hilton Honours Diamond worth going for?

[Mollycram]

Hi, I am about two nights short of making HHonours Diamond status and at this stage have no trips that will get me there. So my question is whether it is worth booking in for these two extra nights just so I make Diamond? Apart from getting additional bonus points, have others found they are treated better or get better upgrades?

 

[drron]

It probably depends on your travel plans for next year.
If going to the USA and staying in smaller places in HIs,HGIs,Embassy or Homewood suites there is no difference between gold and diamond.
If going to full service hotels you do get quaranteed lounge access.
Should get better upgrades though i have found no difference since I went back to gold-others though have a markedly different experience.

Would also depend on what the extra 2 nights would cost.

 

[DC3]

Hi, I am about two nights short of making HHonours Diamond status and at this stage have no trips that will get me there. So my question is whether it is worth booking in for these two extra nights just so I make Diamond? Apart from getting additional bonus points, have others found they are treated better or get better upgrades?

So you have had 26 stays since 1st January. You have another four months in which to do the last 2 stays.

I would certainly be finding 2 Hilton stays for diamond in that time.

In Melbourne, HOP can be had for about $185pn if you can use the government rate. The HSW can be under $250pn using the AAA rate.

The HSW has upgraded me to a King Yarra Suite and Relaxation Suite at times, even though I always pay the lowest rate. Never expected, so a bonus if it happens.

 

[serfty]

For me it's the certainty of Lounge access over the possibility of it for a Gold which is the biggest difference.

In reality gold is rather good with guaranteed complimentary breakfast.

However, if most of your stays are in Oz then, IME, lounge access is typically granted to Golds in any case.

Other than that ... 2 Stays? Just do it; even award stays count - with 26 already you should have a few HHonors points floating about.

 

[straitman]

Hi, I am about two nights short of making HHonours Diamond status and at this stage have no trips that will get me there. So my question is whether it is worth booking in for these two extra nights just so I make Diamond? Apart from getting additional bonus points, have others found they are treated better or get better upgrades?

The answer to this will always be subjective and will vary from property to property.

On the whole I say go for it. As Diamond you can always book the cheapest room and will always get an Executive upgrade and often above. I have also managed to book award rooms when there was no availability otherwise showing. This has been useful to say the least.

 

[Mollycram]

So you have 26 stays since 1st January. You have another four months in which to do the last 2 stays.

I would certainly be finding 2 Hiltons to complete the final 2 stays for diamond.

No, I've got so close on spend rather than the number of nights or stays....and it's unlikely I will ever get close again.

 

[DC3]

No, I've got so close on spend rather than the number of nights or stays....and it's unlikely I will ever get close again.

Ah, I see that you are near the 100,000 base points. I made it that way last year (just). If I was a few short again this year, I'd still try for the 100,000 points.

Diamonds should received better upgrade chances than golds.

 

[serfty]

So how does ~2 nights equate to the spend required?

10 HHonors base (Qualifying) points per USD.

My Award suggestion will not cut it.

 

[Mollycram]

I'm only about 4000 points off the 100,000 Diamond qualifying level. At approximate $200 per night, I figure I will reach this in about two nights....

 

[nonpop]

if you can use the government rate.

How does one use the Govt rate if one is not part of the Govt ?

And with AAA, do you mean just NRMA (for us Sydney-siders) ?

 

[drron]

How does one use the Govt rate if one is not part of the Govt ?

And with AAA, do you mean just NRMA (for us Sydney-siders) ?

Yes AAA rate is available if NRMA,RACQ etc-all are affiliated with AAA-search your card and you will find a little AAA logo.
Can also be used in the states in many stores for discounts EG outlets including Gap,Reebok.
Details here-
http://www.aaa.com/PPInternational/International.html

 

[simongr]

In Melbourne, HOP can be had for about $185pn if you can use the government rate. The HSW can be under $250pn using the AAA rate.

Best I could get HOP was $208 and HSW $332 (both using AAA) - although I could get $232 HSW for this Thursday.

 

[JohnK]

And with AAA, do you mean just NRMA (for us Sydney-siders) ?

Not just NRMA. RACV and RACQ are also included. This And with AAA, do you mean just NRMA (for us Sydney-siders) ?[/QUOTE]"]thread should answer your question.

AAA rate gives a 5% discount on best available rate while advance purchase gives an 11% discount on best available rate. If you are after flexibility the AAA rate is fine.

 

[straitman]

Not just NRMA. RACV and RACQ are also included. This thread should answer your question.

AAA rate gives a 5% discount on best available rate while advance purchase gives an 11% discount on best available rate. If you are after flexibility the AAA rate is fine.

Unless you want the Hilton Premium Club discount as the AAA rate does not qualify.

 

[JohnK]

Unless you want the Hilton Premium Club discount as the AAA rate does not qualify.

True but HPC is only available in Australasia anyway.

 

[serfty]

...

AAA rate gives a 5% discount on best available rate while advance purchase gives an 11% discount on best available rate. If you are after flexibility the AAA rate is fine.

Those discounts vary with properties and availability.

Sometimes the discounts can be the same.

Still, quite useful though.

Another discount to look for overseas is the MVP - if available they can be extremely good:

• http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../hilton-hhonors-mvp-programme-fast-23171.html

 

[Mollycram]

So, two nights at Hilton South Wharf and I am now Diamond. Will be interesting to see if it makes any difference considering how wonderfully HSW treated me as a Gold....

 

[mattjdalton]

Diamond also get free Internet as a benefit...

Hilton treat me well, I stay with them in Melbourne, Singapore, Tokyo, and sometimes Beijing. The team in Tokyo are great (although I was one of the few westerners in town a few weeks after the tsunami, and most of the hotel was closed, so I got a lot of attention)

 

[Danger]

Diamond also get free Internet as a benefit...

Don't forget this is also a benefit for Golds.

 

[samh004]

So, two nights at Hilton South Wharf and I am now Diamond. Will be interesting to see if it makes any difference considering how wonderfully HSW treated me as a Gold....

Congratulations!