Just as I finished up our post on four new positive benefits that Hilton are adding, I found out some additional information and in my mind it’s not good news at all. According to One Mile At A Time, Hilton will be removing award categories entirely. Currently all Hilton programs fall into one of the following categories:
OMAAT says that it doesn’t sound horrible because the maximum rate for an award room will still cap out at 95,000 points – but I entirely disagree. This will allow Hilton to use dynamic pricing on award rates and also make mass devaluations without any notice (and it’s more likely that they can make more stealth increases to the price in points without bloggers like myself calling them out on it). Currently Hilton announces a list of properties that will be changing category (up and down) every quarter, going forward this will no longer be necessary.
I thought the recent American Express/Citi bonuses were too generous and it looks like I was right. I fully expect Hilton properties to go up in price when this change is added and I hate award programs that do this. If you want dynamic pricing with awards, points value should be tied to the cash rate (ala Southwest) – rather than the Delta route.
Well done to the Hilton media team for burying the lead on this one.
