My upcoming stay at the Mexico City Reforma Hilton includes some sort of "leisure" credit, which I think is $50/day. I went in chat and they said it applies to hotel restaurants, bar, spa and maybe other services (those were the three they listed in the chat, and I was really only interested in restaurants, so I didn't probe further). I don't know if that's a Diamond thing or just part of the booking price tier.
@marmaladepie wrote:
I remember getting this option too as a gold member. Definitely as a diamond member, where they gave you the choice of getting 1k points (I think per night?) stay or credit or a bottle of water (it depends on the level of resort or hotel). You can pre select this in the Hilton app under MyWay Hotel benefits for each hotel brand. It automatically applies to your stay. If you don’t have anything select They ask you at check in.
Yes you get the welcome amenity gift described as gold as well. That is not unique to diamond. At the limited service properties the gifts are identitcal. At higher end properties like Conrad diamond might get slightly more choices than a gold but its not a huge difference.
;I think this card may have value for less frequent travelers and more frequent travelers, and less useful for people in the middle. In my case, I wouldn't have any significant Hilton status without the card. My focus for using the card is 1-3 international vacations per year. What I want from the card is free nights and free upgrades; I also value Priority Pass, because I don't have lounge access via any other cards. I am looking at ~10-15 Hilton nights a year, something like that. At some point in the future, I may downgrade it in favor of a Platinum and/or Marriott Bonvoy. I wish the airline credit was easier to use without feeling like you're spending money simply to get a credit. But it probably works out wonderfully for people who actually find ways to use it. I guess it's such a generous credit because they know most people won't take advantage of it.
I think the card has value for those who travel often enough to enjoy the benefits but maybe not often enough to earn the rewards organically.
Diamond is 60 nights. That’s a lot for someone who doesn’t travel for business. But someone who does travel that much most likely also has airline status (which would cover most of what the airline credit covers).
I hover just under Gold level Organically (and also just under airline status). I’m willing to pay for the card to enjoy the Diamond benefits. The upgrades in the actual stay, and the increased points earnings are worth it for me.
If I stayed predominantly at limited service properties (Hampton inn, Homewood Suites, etc) where executive lounge and suite upgrades aren’t even an option, it probably wouldn’t make sense to pay for status. It also wouldn’t make sense to pay for a card with a resort credit that won’t be used.
We all decide what we value and how much we value it and what we’re willing to pay for that.
I do check bags like I’m one of the wealthy on the titanic, so I use the airline credits on all my Amex cards.
I think the market for the card is anyone who values the benefits and credits enough to pay the AF. Some of us even come out ahead.
Diamond is 60 nights. That’s a lot for someone who doesn’t travel for business. But someone who does travel that much most likely also has airline status (which would cover most of what the airline credit covers).
I hover just under Gold level Organically (and also just under airline status). I’m willing to pay for the card to enjoy the Diamond benefits. The upgrades in the actual stay, and the increased points earnings are worth it for me.
If I stayed predominantly at limited service properties (Hampton inn, Homewood Suites, etc) where executive lounge and suite upgrades aren’t even an option, it probably wouldn’t make sense to pay for status. It also wouldn’t make sense to pay for a card with a resort credit that won’t be used.
We all decide what we value and how much we value it and what we’re willing to pay for that.
I do check bags like I’m one of the wealthy on the titanic, so I use the airline credits on all my Amex cards.
I think the market for the card is anyone who values the benefits and credits enough to pay the AF. Some of us even come out ahead.
@red259 wrote:
@marmaladepie wrote:
I remember getting this option too as a gold member. Definitely as a diamond member, where they gave you the choice of getting 1k points (I think per night?) stay or credit or a bottle of water (it depends on the level of resort or hotel). You can pre select this in the Hilton app under MyWay Hotel benefits for each hotel brand. It automatically applies to your stay. If you don’t have anything select They ask you at check in.Yes you get the welcome amenity gift described as gold as well. That is not unique to diamond. At the limited service properties the gifts are identitcal. At higher end properties like Conrad diamond might get slightly more choices than a gold but its not a huge difference.
Sort of. Gold does get a welcome amenity. Usually a choice of one option-points or water/snack (actual number of points varies depending on property).
Diamond typically has more options, can choose more than one, higher point offer and includes the option for credits at the property (if applicable).
Not a huge difference-but enough (enough for me to consider it a benefit for Diamond and thank you with a smile for gold).
I think there is going to be a lot of variation in Gold experience (and probably some Diamond as well) based on the specific properties and dates of visits. Gold doesn't include a number of things that one may be offered (if they are available). As evidenced by this thread-some have had an upgraded experience with Gold, some have not.