Looks like Hilton is making

by Gary Leff

Looks like Hilton is making some changes to their loyalty program, too. Not as harsh as Delta, but still significant.

  • New hotel classifications — from 5 to 6 — changing the number of points required for award stays effective June 1, 2003
  • Unlike Delta, which has more or less replaced their elite qualification system to one more reliant on revenue, Hilton has added revenue as a supplemental qualifying method. Next year, HHonors base points are an alternative to stays for qualifying for Gold and Diamond. Gold status: 60,000 Base points in a calendar year. Diamond: 100,000 Base points in a calendar year.
  • Award Stays Now Count Toward VIP Status
  • More points required for VIP-only awards effective June 1, 2003. Reward certificates requested prior to June 1 will be at current point prices and the certificate will be valid for one year from date of issue. Reward certificates requested from June 1 forward will be at the new prices.

On the whole, not what I like to see — but not a disaster either, and Hilton is giving plenty of notice.

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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