Hilton confirms, "You caught us!!!" New status coming, but mostly lightened requirements
Friday the deflagration: on all the sites that talk about points and miles the news spreads like wildfire: [...]
Friday the deflagration: On all the sites that talk about points and miles the news spreads like wildfire: in the code on Hilton's website. there are traces of a new status.
In this article:
Unable to contain the leak, and so first Hilton confirms that something is brewing, and then, yesterday, the social post leaves no more room for speculation.
You got us!
As you can see from the IG post above, in the Hilton household took it philosophically. Of course, this is not the leak that ruined the super unveiling of the new iPhone, but still it was necessary to regain control of the news. With a small carousel HH congratulated the first sites that reported the news and anticipated that there will be all the details soon.
New status Reserve
The "big" news is the launch of a new status above the Diamond, or what should be called Diamond Reserve and which should compete with similar levels in the Marriott and Hyatt programs, to name a few. These are cards for true frequent travelers, because in addition to a minimum number of nights they also require a minimum annual spend.
What if your next trip was because of points?
Join the Training Center and improve your knowledge in the world of travel reward
At the moment it is not clear what extra benefits cardholders will have, other than a bonus of 120% points per stay (Diamond has 100%), while it would seem ascertained that to get to this card it is necessary to credit 80 nights (as opposed to Diamond's 60) in addition to an expense of $18,000.
I certainly expect other benefits as well, otherwise there would be no point at all in pursuing this card. Ambassadors in Marriott must accumulate 100 nights and $23,000 in annual spending, but they have unique advantages such as a personal assistant and the ability to stay 24 hours at will in any facility-it means being able to check in at 8 p.m. and check out at 8 p.m. the next day.
Reduced requirements for all other statuses
The real news, however, which leaves me a little puzzled, is that, as a result of the launch of this new card, all other status requirements will be reduced by 30%. This means that less effort will be required to obtain Silver, Gold and Diamond cards.
And here we come to my perplexities: okay, in the U.S. Gold status has virtually everyone and Diamond almost, thanks to co-branded credit cards. Different discussion in the rest of the world, where - except in rare cases - there are no shortcuts to Diamond.
On the one hand, I am happy, because I will be able to renew my Diamond with fewer stays and then I can focus on other chains as well. This year, by dint of trying other insignia, I'm coming in pulled to the final finish line in Hilton Honors. On the other hand, however, it will make the list of elite users around hotels more crowded and I wouldn't want it to be a way of saying, narrowly, "Let's take away benefits, since it's easier to get."
With this modification HH becomes, even more so, The best program for those who want to take advantage of hotel loyalty. Free breakfast with Gold and lounge access with Diamond become even easier to achieve and with no minimum spending requirement.
In conclusion
The new status is not for me, but remember that if you hold an event, a corporate dinner, an assembly, or even your wedding at a Hilton facility, everything you spend turns into points, and spending counts toward these goals.
That said, the reduction in requirements surprises me, but until proven otherwise I relax thinking that I will be Diamond more easily starting (probably) next year.
