Traveling last summer I missed a FlyerTalk discussion on the HHonors program T&C changes July 19 where the wording was added to officially exclude reward stays from Diamomd elite member guaranteed reservations, usually arranged through the HHonors Diamond elite member customer service.

Guaranteed reservations availability, subject to the restrictions stated herein, at hotels within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio when paid reservations are made before midnight hotel local time, two or more days (48 hours) prior to intended arrival. RESTRICTIONS: This guarantee does not apply to reservations paid for in part or in full by HHonors Points, free night certificates issued by Hilton Worldwide.

http://hhonors3.hilton.com/en/terms/index.html

The use of “Diamond Force” reservations, the informal name used for making a reward reservation when the website showed no availability, was effectively lost when Hilton HHonors introduced Premium Room Rewards in 2011.

The loss of this Diamond elite benefit is official in 2012.

HHonors HHistorically

In 2000 I earned one million miles in the LatinPass frequent flyer program. I spent the next few years transferring 30,000 LatinPass miles each month into 60,000 HHonors points.

Immediately I discovered that trying to book 6-night stays for 100,000 points using GLON rewards with Hilton HHonors was often impossible online as a HHonors Gold member. The hotel would not be available for one or more nights. I made sure that I earned HHonors Diamond elite status for 2001, primarily for the benefit of “Diamond Force” reservations for reward stays using points.

“Diamond Force” was something I used several times a year since most of my extended hotel stays happened during holidays and summer when a school teacher is free to travel.

I would call up the HHonors Diamond customer service line and the representative would arrange my stay directly with the hotel. Within a day or two my reservation was set for a 6-night stay using 100,000 points. When I was HHonors Gold I simply could not book the 6-night reward stays when the hotel showed no standard reward availability.

Premium Room Rewards introduced 2011

In 2011 HHonors introduced Premium Room Rewards and charged a higher reward night rate for room categories above the standard room level for the hotel. In 2012 the expansion of Premium Room Rewards meant Diamond elite member customer service could not necessarily force a reward stay for the standard number of points. Diamond elite members were impacted by Premium Room Reward rates similar to the increased reward stay cost other HHonors members faced when trying to book rooms with no standard room availability.

Note: The amount of HHonors Points required to redeem hotel rewards varies by hotel, room, booking date and length of stay. Availability of rewards varies by hotel and stay dates at the time of booking.

http://hhonors3.hilton.com/en/earn-use-points/hotel/using/index.html

As of July 19, 2012 HHonors officially removed the Diamond guarantee for reservations at a hotel when using HHonors points or free night certificates for any part of the hotel stay.

Points & Money Rewards and double bonus double dipping for both airline miles and bonus points promotions are enhancements to HHonors in 2012. The loss of a valuable Diamond benefit for standard reward stays is another blow to the HHonors program for 2012.

Ric Garrido, writer and owner of Loyalty Traveler, shares news and views on hotels, hotel loyalty programs and vacation destinations for frequent guests. You can follow Loyalty Traveler on Twitter and Facebook and RSS feed.

Avis Car Rental has partnered with Club Carlson for 7,500 bonus points on rentals of 3 consecutive days or longer through December 31, 2013. This offer is valid through all of 2013. You also receive a 25% discount rate with special code.

This offer is available at participating locations globally.

• Now through December 31, 2013, Club Carlson members can earn 7,500 total Gold Points on qualifying rentals of 3 days or more at participating locations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
• Use coupon # MUHA018 and present your Club Carlson number at the time of reservation or at the rental counter to earn your bonus points. This offer is in addition to your everyday savings of up to 25% when you use AWD # G639300.

7,500 Club Carlson points and 25% discount on 3-day or more rentals through Dec 31, 2013.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Offer valid on a qualifying rental of three or more consecutive days at participating Avis locations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
• Mention coupon number MUHA018 to receive bonus points.
• Bonus Gold Points are in addition to the base points you receive each time you rent with Avis. 7,500 total Gold Points offer reflects 6,750 bonus points plus 750 base points earned.
• Provide your Club Carlson number at the time of reservation or rental.
• An advance reservation is required.
• Offer may not be used with any other coupon, promotion or offer except your AWD discount.
• The savings of up to 25% applies to the time-and-mileage charges only.
• Taxes, concession recovery fees, vehicle license recovery fee, customer facility charges ($10/contract in CA) and fuel charges are extra.
• Optional items such as LDW ($35.99/day or less) and other surcharges may apply and are extra.
• Offer is subject to vehicle availability at the time of rental and may not be available on some rates at some times, including some online rates at Avis.com.
• Car rental return restrictions may apply.
• Offer subject to change without notice.
• Holiday and other blackout periods may apply.
• Blackout dates for Asia: Blackout dates apply.
• Blackout dates for Australia: 12/20/12 – 12/31/12, 3/29/13 – 4/28/13, 6/21/13 – 7/21/13, 9/20/13 – 10/6/13 and 12/20/13 – 12/31/13.
• Blackout dates for Africa, Europe and the Middle East: 12/14/12 – 1/3/13, 3/23/13 – 4/7/13, 7/1/13 – 8/31/13 and 12/13/13 – 12/31/13.
• Blackout dates for the Caribbean, Latin America and Mexico: 12/15/12 – 1/6/13, 2/15/13 – 2/24/13, 3/22/13 – 3/31/13, 7/1/13 – 8/31/13 and 12/15/13 – 12/31/13.
• Blackout dates for New Zealand: 12/20/12 – 1/4/13, 2/11/13 – 2/22/13 and 12/20/13 – 12/31/13.
• Renter must meet Avis age, driver and credit requirements. Minimum rental age may vary by location. An additional daily surcharge may apply for renters under 25 years old.
• Points accrual structure subject to change.
• Rental must begin by December 31, 2013.

Ric Garrido, writer and owner of Loyalty Traveler, shares news and views on hotels, hotel loyalty programs and vacation destinations for frequent guests. You can follow Loyalty Traveler on Twitter and Facebook and RSS feed.