8

Nov

Last month I detailed the significant award chart devaluation that’s coming to Hilton HHonors in January. I noted how strange a time for it this is, since room rates are at historic lows and hotels have been on the whole empty. Prices are lower than a year ago, not higher. And hotel chains have been doing all they can to woo customers, not gut their loyalty drivers.

Nicholas Kralev details the changes as well in his “On the Fly” column for the Washington Times (Kralev is one of the very best travel columnists in the country, by which I mean his stories are generally accurate and in-the-know rather than made up fluff).

The upshot?

Beginning in January, you will need about 25 percent more points on average to book a free night at a Hilton chain hotel, including Conrad, Doubletree and Embassy Suites. That is the combined effect of increased redemption requirements and raised “award” categories of many properties.

I’ve been trying to find a reasonable explanation for that move, both from the company and some of its elite Diamond members, since the changes were announced somewhat quietly late last month. I’m still searching for it.

2 Comments

  1. mark said,

    And now we have news of USAirways “enhancing” their award chart, too.

    http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-airways-dividend-miles/1014551-us-mileage-requirements-change.html

  2. Firewind said,

    I believe I’ve heard that if one books any future reservation by 1/31, it will be at the “old” (current) rate. Of course, they can’t be changed, but the points can be re-deposited.

    It does take some of the heat off of the initially apparent need to USE the points before 1/31 to get the old rate — especially as that’s the same time as Hyatt’s Faster Free Nights earning period. (Hmm. That could have been an interesting maneuver vs. Hyatt had Hilton wished.)

    For the record, I think Hilton’s move is as wrong-headed as can be.

    3. Add A Comment

home | top

View from the Wing is a project of Miles and Points Consulting, LLC. Some links to credit card and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission, and this website has a financial relationship with several credit card issuing banks. All content unless otherwise noted or quoted is the author's own, and not provided or commissioned by any other entity. Opinions have not been reviewed, approved, endorsed, or likely even edited for typos and grammatical errors by any other entity. Occasionally a travel or other product provider may offer a complimentary item, most often that is the source of giveaways, but the author of this blog may also occasionally benefit from the blog's popularity and your travel experiences may differ This site is for entertainment purpose only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

DISCLAIMER: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.