Which Partner Memberships Would You Choose?

[BrentH]

SG's and WP's:

Knowing what you know now about the benefits/service/price - which complimentary partner memberships would you choose today?

HHonors or IHG?

Europcar or Hertz?

Or are they just as bad/good as each other?

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I chose HH - very happy with my decision! Plenty of free upgrades, nice breakfasts, internet, and I love that I can earn Qantas points at the same time as HHonors points on all commercial rates (ie not having to choose QFF or HH, and not having to purchase more expensive rates to qualify for HH points/status)! There are some nice unpublished (and random) benefits too

As I'm sure someone else will likely point out, Hilton will soon be changing their redemption rates and property categories, so if getting a good return from your HHonors points is important to you, do look into this matter a little more (there is a dedicated thread)

Can't speak much for car hire though!

 

[jetlagger]

SG's and WP's:

Knowing what you know now about the benefits/service/price - which complimentary partner memberships would you choose today?

HHonors or IHG?

Europcar or Hertz?

Or are they just as bad/good as each other?

All of my preferred partner memberships give me desirable benefits with reciprocated genuine loyalty.

 

[BrentH]

All of my preferred partner memberships give me desirable benefits with reciprocated genuine loyalty.

Now that you mention it, all of my preferred airlines loyalty programs give me desirable benefits with reciprocated genuine loyalty. And all of my preferred restaurants give me desirable food with reciprocated genuinely affability.

Do you want to elaborate?

Who are your preferred partner memberships? Why did you choose them over alternatives? What are the more desirable benefits you receive?

 

[TonyHancock]

I took the HH Diamond membership and haven't looked back. I'm currently sitting in the Exec Lounge quaffing red wine at The Hilton in Berlin. It is the guaranteed benefits I like, Internet, breakfast and Exec lounge access. (I was, and still am an IHG Plat and there are no real guaranteed benefits.)

As for car hire I took Europcar, I already had experience of Hertz. I rent for about 100 days per year and quite frankly I have not had good experiences with any of the rental companies. Europcar has been OK in Australia in terms of upgrades, a supposed benefit if there is availability. I had to complain before I received this and suffered a downgrade on one rental. Most of my rental days are in the UK and Europcar failed to give one upgrade in seven rentals totalling 60 days. I'm back with Avis now having requalified with Europcar.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

HH has been great (shame about the recent "enhancements" though). IHG benefit (if you call it that) is that they have more AU properties.

Europcar is OK. Hertz is OK (speaking AU rentals only). As a Hertz base boy, they still give me upgrades when it suits them so I'm unconvinced the "upgrade" benefit is anything special. Apparantly Hertz will price match and offer an early payment discount (haven't yet tried either) so the Europcar discount may not be special either and Hertz has a big advantage over Europcar in that each rental can accrue 1000 VS miles (great for me as I have plenty of 1 dayers). The recent Velocity bonuses with Europcar achieved only half of that (gold status bonus + bonus bonuses based on an actual recent rental) and the way I see it, VS miles are worth considerably more than Velocity points. Both companies have the same achilles heel, that being their respective computer systems. They have a mind of their own and no logic nor human intervention will be tolerated by them. The kind of stuff science fiction is made of but hire car companies take as gospel.

Secure Sentinal was a complete and utter waste of time for me, but someone once stated here on AFF they did use them, so it's entirely possible I haven't availed myself of their full potential (which I'm not even sure what that is).

 

[lobo76]

HH has been great (shame about the recent "enhancements" though). IHG benefit (if you call it that) is that they have more AU properties.

Europcar is OK. Hertz is OK (speaking AU rentals only). As a Hertz base boy, they still give me upgrades when it suits them so I'm unconvinced the "upgrade" benefit is anything special. Apparantly Hertz will price match and offer an early payment discount (haven't yet tried either) so the Europcar discount may not be special either and Hertz has a big advantage over Europcar in that each rental can accrue 1000 VS miles (great for me as I have plenty of 1 dayers). The recent Velocity bonuses with Europcar achieved only half of that (gold status bonus + bonus bonuses based on an actual recent rental) and the way I see it, VS miles are worth considerably more than Velocity points. Both companies have the same achilles heel, that being their respective computer systems. They have a mind of their own and no logic nor human intervention will be tolerated by them. The kind of stuff science fiction is made of but hire car companies take as gospel.

Secure Sentinal was a complete and utter waste of time for me, but someone once stated here on AFF they did use them, so it's entirely possible I haven't availed myself of their full potential (which I'm not even sure what that is).

Since it's apparently possible to take two bites of the cherry as one moves from Silver->Gold and Gold->Plat does anyone have any recommendations or experience in basically taking all 4 partner offers. So for instance would it be better to get HH Gold and IHG Plat and Europcar Gold and Hertz Plat? or vice-verse? Or would it just be best to go HH gold, then Plat when you can and same for Europcar?
Is it best to get Gold then wait until the latest moment to move to Plat to milk the longest qualifying period or just go Plat as soon as you can?

 

[Hvr]

I also availed myself of HH Diamond. Love it and requalified in my own right. I was an IHG Gold member anyway and apart from quick check in didn't see any benefits.

Didn't bother with the car rental membership.

 

[Cynicor]

Go the HH diamond as requal is increasingly difficult through normal channels.

No idea about car hire status.

 

[Major]

I went for HH and have no regrets. Don't use it much but have usually had upgrades and lounge access. Internet and breakfasts are a definite plus.

Also went for Hertz and it's a waste of time. If they upgrade you it's usually to a larger car that uses more fuel. Even rental bookings through the Velocity site are no guarantee that your points credit promptly.
Most of my bookings took months to post and involved missing points claims, emails to Hertz and Velocity. Hertz are a real PITA.

 

[straitman]

Go the HH diamond as requal is increasingly difficult through normal channels.

Every scheme seems to gradually get harder. HH Diamond requal is not a lot harder IF you go for the number of stays option. 28 - 30 (2.5 per month) is not that much harder really.

 

[straitman]

Also went for Hertz and it's a waste of time. If they upgrade you it's usually to a larger car that uses more fuel. Even rental bookings through the Velocity site are no guarantee that your points credit promptly.
Most of my bookings took months to post and involved missing points claims, emails to Hertz and Velocity. Hertz are a real PITA.

I don't believe that Europcar are any better either.

 

[hydrabyss]

I opted Europcar last year at executive level.Only used them twice and they have come accross fairly good both times.Last was at Darwin and received an Xtrail when I booked a Cruise.Quite pleased till I seen the fuel price($1.65) and the 130km speed limits.Geez it drank some fuel, I got similiar millage out of the V8 Holden Caprice from thrifty last month and alot more fun to drive.Although have been told by thrifty if you get an upgrade you dont like they will change it so would imagine others are the same.
Has anyone any experience with the Hertz presidents circle as I was considering taking the offer over upgrading Europecar to Elite.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Has anyone any experience with the Hertz presidents circle as I was considering taking the offer over upgrading Europecar to Elite.

Markis10 has lots of good anecdotal evidence with Pres. Circle. If he doesn't see this thread, do a search and read his previous posts.

 

[jetlagger]

Now that you mention it, all of my preferred airlines loyalty programs give me desirable benefits with reciprocated genuine loyalty. And all of my preferred restaurants give me desirable food with reciprocated genuinely affability.

Do you want to elaborate?

Who are your preferred partner memberships? Why did you choose them over alternatives? What are the more desirable benefits you receive?

Though I stay in a variety of hotels I usually find that HH, GHA & IC offer me the best consistent benefits globally, without being obsessive about points or status chase.
Cheers,
jl

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Though I stay in a variety of hotels I usually find that HH, GHA & IC offer me the best consistent benefits globally, without being obsessive about points or status chase.

IC ambassador or royal ambassador?

 

[jetlagger]

IC ambassador or royal ambassador?

HH - Gold
GHA- Platinum
IC - Ambassador

As I usually book executive/club as a minimum the upgraded offerings are mostly consistently generous.

 

[grubbidok]

Work won't usually let me stay at Hilton's or IHG properties (both usually beyond allowable uni budget) and Thrifty is the only car rental on which we can earn points for work purchases so they were both of limited benefit to me in terms of status benefits.

However, I do get something out of it. I've focused on other benefits beyond status. FWIW I chose HH to feed beefed-up points into my long dormant AA account (the next stay alone should get me 3000 miles with the bonuses) and Europcar as it gives me a $400+ discount on my European rentals later this year. Even though I'm very unlikely to regain status it's been a nice benefit.

Quite a nice perk of the VA program.

 

[markis10]

I don't believe that Europcar are any better either.

Europcar points consistently post exactly a month after rental return. While you do need to photograph the car on pickup and return (especially at airport locales), their rates are very good under the Velocity promo code and at present a beautiful way to haul in significant Velocity points, a VA WP renting $1000 worth of car rental with Europcar before the end of March will get 12000 points. The free weekend rental is also nice, and if redeemable each time you hit the status level.

 

[MandM]

SG Europcar match hadn't come through, but still got about 8 points per $ and they were in my account 3 days after returning the car. Great experience all around. Will be interesting to see a) how long it actually takes them to contact me to get the membership/match sorted (up to 12 business days - they quote up to 20), and b) if the experience is any different when I rent with 'status'.