Comments on: Lost HHonors: “Life” member stripped of Hilton elite status

By: Erik

Erik — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:50:26 +0000

I recently CLICKED THE WRONG PROMO CHOICE on their site and then was told when I called in that I couldn’t have it changed. They are very, very inflexible on their programs and options, so this article doesn’t surprise me in the least. Even after being transferred to a supervisor, I was told that nothing could be done. Great customer service. Obviously, they have lots to learn when it comes to keeping happy customers. Thankfully, my company only uses them occasionally. I’ll be requesting that my company eliminate them altogether. Ridiculous. Glad that Mr Annenberg got his membership back. Perhaps the only thing I can do is write to the CEO. Sad that I even have to take the time to do this when it’s unlikely to help. My issue is much smaller.

By: Christina Houvarda

Christina Houvarda — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:01:05 +0000

I also have a life time gold membership card from HILTON. Have they gone back on their decision to cancel our cards.or was the priviledge given only to this particular member?

Thanks,
Christina

By: Carrie Charney

Carrie Charney — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:02:16 +0000

@Matthew in NYC: You are way too generous. It’s a bottle of water, not wine!

By: Bruce InCharlotte

Bruce InCharlotte — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:23:46 +0000

Smart promoters know better than to accept that short term payment for a lifetime status. The odds are not in their favor. I have a “lifetime” National Geographic subscription that my grandfather gave me for my birthday. My 10th birthday. Every month since then, I remember him, even though he passed before I turned 13. I think I’ve more than gotten back the $1000 that cost him.

By: Matthew in NYC

Matthew in NYC — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:07:23 +0000

I’m not normally sympathetic with people who let miles expire because of inattention to program rules, however, that is clearly not the case here. I could understand Hilton wanting to terminate the Senior VIP program if that is their business case, however, it is just plain dumb not to grandfather in those who’ve already paid to join the program. But then the travel industry is littered with companies who make dumb, shortsighted decisions because they can’t manage their companies properly. I hope that other companies take note, don’t terminate the lifetime benefits of existing members, change the rules for new members by all means, but don’t play with existing members.

Gold status on Hilton Honors doesn’t confer that many privileges after all – automatic upgrade to the executive floor and a bottle of wine in your room as far as I recall – not that expensive to a hotel.

By: DCTA

DCTA — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:43:44 +0000

You know, I think that if they PAID for Lifetime Status, Hilton should have at least honored to refund that payment, but it seems that was never mentioned.

I know that’s not what Mr. Annenburg wanted, but I am still surprised that was not automatically offered.