Hilton Honors Program Changes Effective April 2018 (Double Dip Gone)

Hilton Honors has announced changes to its loyalty program that will start rolling out in April, 2018.

Hilton Honors will introduce rollover nights, Diamond members ability to gift Gold or Diamond status after hitting high number of nights, Gold and Diamond members can earn extra bonus points, and they will discontinue Double Dipping.

You can access Hilton Honors web page for these changes here.

READ MORE: Hilton Honors Rate & Bonus Points And Miles Promotions

Rollover Nights

Silver, Gold and Diamond members will have the nights consumed over their elite status rollover to the following year starting from 2018.

Status Gifting

Diamond member that reach 60 nights can gift Gold status that will be upgraded to Diamond if the gifter reaches 100 nights within a calendar year.

Milestone Bonuses

Hilton Honors members will earn 10,000 bonus points for every ten consumed nights starting at 40 nights. Members will receive a special additional bonus of 30,000 points when they hit 60 nights within a calendar year.

Earning Changes

Here where some will earn less while others earnings will remain the same.

Previously, all members basically earned 15 points per USD charged (before elite bonus) if they chose Points + Points as their Double Dip preference.

As the Double Dip option is REMOVED, the base earning going forward is effectively reduced by 33% that is then replaced by higher elite bonuses.

Here’s the comparison between the OLD and NEW earnings scheme assuming Points + Points Double Dip option previously

Base 15 points versus 10 points (33% reduction)

Silver 16.5 points versus 12 points (27% reduction)

Gold 17.5 points versus 18 points (3% increase)

Diamond 20 points versus 20 points (no change)

Double Dip Gone!

Hilton Honors has decided to discontinue Double Dip altogether that has been the only program that has allowed member to earn both points and miles at the same time.

Instead of earning five additional Hilton Honors points per USD, the member has been able to earn 1 airline miles with number of partners (the number of miles have varied depending of the partner).

Hilton Honors also had never ending promotions with airlines from double to quadruple miles that you could combine with bonus points offers. You could easily earn 3 to 4 airlines miles per USD spend in addition to the bonus points if you followed LoyaltyLobby.

Conclusion

Hilton Honors used to offer fixed miles option that was discontinue back in 2013 (read more here) and has spent very little time promoting this earning option as of late. It has, however, been very good way to earn bonus airlines miles throughout the year and I have personally taken advantage of it on every stay.

The extra bonus points for Gold and Diamond members for every 10 nights starting at 40 nights is a good way to reward those that actually stay at hotels.

Marriott Rewards announced that they were ending rollover nights this year while Hilton Honors is now introducing them.

It is nice gesture that Diamond members can gift Gold or Diamond status, but these require high number of nights.

Overall, it is unfortunate that Hilton Honors decided to end the Double Dip option and the extra points over 40 nights won’t replace this.

Here are the Hilton’s Frequently Asked Questions for Gifting status:

1. How do I qualify to gift Gold or Diamond Status to another Hilton Honors Member? 
Qualifications to gift Gold to another member are 60 qualifying nights in one calendar year. Once a member reaches 100 qualifying nights in a calendar year, their gift is automatically upgraded to Diamond status for that same member who received the Gold status. The ability to gift status will begin in April 2018.

2. How many gifts of Gold or Diamond status can I earn and provide within one calendar year?
A member can only earn one gift of Gold or one gift of Diamond within one calendar year. If a member is gifting Diamond, the gift must be given to the same member who received the gift of Gold per calendar year.

If the member did not elect to gift Gold status after they hit 60 nights and before they reached 100 nights, then the member can simply gift Diamond status to any member of their choice once they hit 100 nights.

Example: Once you reach 60 nights in 2018, then you can gift Gold status to one other member.

Example: Once you reach 100+ nights in 2018, then you can gift Diamond status, to the same member that received the Gold status. If no gift of Gold was provided in 2018, then you can simply gift Diamond status to any member of your choice after hitting 100 nights.

3. For one stay, how many rooms will count toward achieving eligible nights to unlock the ability to gift elite status? 
Earning nights toward gifting status will follow the same rules as earning nights toward elite tier status – i.e. a Member will only receive credit for the nights stayed for one room, not multiple rooms booked for the same duration by the same Hilton Honors Member.

Example: If you book two rooms at the same hotel for a one night stay – you will earn Hilton Honors Points on both of the rooms, but you will only receive one night credit total toward achieving the ability to gift elite status.

4. Can I gift status to the same member every year? 
Yes, if members qualify to gift status the following year then they can give it to the same member each year. Members will have to re-elect that specific member who is receiving the status each year, as the gift will not automatically carry over.

5. Can I gift status to myself? 
No, customers can only have one Hilton Honors account, so you can only gift status to another Hilton Honors member.

6. Can I switch my choice if I want to change who receives the gifted status? 
Once a status has been gifted to another member, no change can be made during the same year to remove or change that status.

7. Does the member who received gifted Diamond status automatically get the ability to gift status to another member? 
No, members with gifted Diamond status are not automatically eligible to gift status. The qualification to gift status is to reach 60 or 100 nights within the calendar year and only those who achieve that many nights are eligible.

8. Will my 2017 total qualifying nights allow me to gift Gold or Diamond Status in January 2018? 
As this is a new benefit for our elite members, the qualification for this benefit will begin in the 2018 calendar year and be available for gifting immediately once a member reaches 60 nights (for gifting Gold) or 100 nights (for gifting Diamond).

Here are the Hilton’s Frequently Asked Questions for Rollover Nights

1. What are elite rollover nights? 
Elite rollover nights provide a faster way to earn elite status. Starting at Silver, at the end of the calendar year, any qualifying nights in excess of those required to qualify for your elite status level will be counted toward your elite status qualification for the following calendar year (January 1st to December 31st).

Example: If you reach Silver status after completing 10 nights, but end the calendar year with 30 nights, 20 nights will roll over into the following year. This gives you a jump-start on earning Gold status in the new calendar year.

2. Who is eligible to roll over nights?
All elite tiers (Silver, Gold, and Diamond Members) are eligible to roll over elite qualifying nights.

3. If I downgrade my status during the year, will I still be able to roll over my elite qualifying nights from my new tier? 
Elite members will still be able to roll over their elite qualifying nights even if they have downgraded status during the year.

Example: If you are downgraded to Silver in April (during annual requalification) and stay 30 nights that year, 20 nights would roll over to start the next calendar year.

4. Can I only roll over nights?
Elite members are only able to roll over nights. For more information on how to earn elite status refer to the Membership Tiers page

5. Do I need to sign up to begin earning elite rollover nights?
No sign up is required. As a Silver, Gold, or Diamond member, your elite rollover nights will automatically be applied toward maintaining or achieving elite status in the following calendar year.

6. Will my 2017 nights in excess of my elite tier qualification be eligible to roll over to start the 2018 calendar year?
As this is a new benefit for our elite members, all eligible members can roll over nights achieved during the 2018 calendar year starting on January 1, 2019 and going forward.

7. How many nights at each tier are required to begin counting elite rollover nights? 
At the end of the calendar year, elite members can roll over any qualifying nights in excess of the number required to gain elite tier status:
• Nights 11-39 for Silver members
• Nights 41-59 for Gold members
• Nights 61+ for Diamond members

8. What do I need to do to start accumulating elite rollover nights? 
Stay at any of our 5,000+ hotels and resorts worldwide. We will automatically apply your elite rollover nights to your account at the start of the next calendar year to help you achieve and maintain elite status.

9. How can I find out how many elite rollover nights will apply to the next status year? 
To calculate the number of elite rollover nights you have achieved to-date, you can apply the following formula:

Total qualifying nights at year end (inclusive of rollover from prior year) – any elite rollover nights from the previous year (now expired) – qualifying nights needed to renew your current elite status tier = elite rollover nights for next year.

Example: You rolled over 5 nights from 2018, you stayed 45 nights in 2019 and gained Gold Status. The calculation for 2019 rollover nights would be as follows: 5 rollover nights from 2018 + 45 nights from stays in 2019 – 40 nights needed for Gold – 5 rollover nights from 2018 (now expired) = 5 elite rollover nights into 2020

These elite rollover nights will be automatically calculated for you and applied to your member account at the beginning of the next calendar year – no action is required from you.

10. For how long are my elite rollover nights valid and when can I apply them toward status? What happened to my elite rollover nights from last year?
Elite rollover nights are only valid for the next calendar year and expire thereafter. Elite rollover nights cannot be reserved and applied to a second, third year or subsequent year.

Example: You rolled over 10 nights from 2018, you stayed 20 nights in 2019 and gained Silver status. The calculation for 2019 rollover nights would be as follows: 10 rollover nights from 2018 + 20 nights from stays in 2019 – 10 nights needed for Silver – 10 rollover nights from 2018 (now expired) = 10 elite rollover nights into 2020

Elite rollover nights must be used in the following calendar year from when they were earned. In this example, the 10 elite rollover nights from 2018 must be used in 2019 and cannot be applied to the 2020 calendar year.

11. How many elite rollover nights can I carry over into the next calendar year? 
There is no limit; however, you’ll only roll over nights in excess of those needed to earn your elite status level in a calendar year.

12. Which types of nights are eligible for roll over? What about nights achieved through a promotion?
All qualifying nights are eligible to roll over. Qualifying nights for paid and reward stays (including Points & Money Rewards™ stays) count as full qualifying nights for achieving status and are eligible to be rolled over to the following calendar year.

Any elite qualifying nights earned through a promotional offer (i.e. double night credit) are also eligible and will be counted in the calculation for elite rollover nights.

13. Do the elite rollover nights count towards achieving night milestone bonuses? 
The elite rollover nights will only count toward a member achieving the next status tier.

To achieve the annual Milestone Bonuses the member will need to have stayed at least 40 nights within the calendar year and elite rollover nights will not count toward that total. For the 30,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points milestone at 60 nights, a member will need to have stayed at least 60 nights within that calendar year.

These elite rollover nights will also not count toward any other type of stay bonuses or status offers (e.g. promotional offers, elite status fast tracks, status match, etc.).

14. Do the elite rollover nights count toward achieving the gifting Gold or Diamond status benefit? 
The elite rollover nights will only count toward a member achieving the next tier status. To achieve the gifting status benefit the member will need to have stayed at least 60 nights (for gifting Gold) or at least 100 nights (for gifting Diamond) within the calendar year and elite rollover nights will not count toward that total.

Here are the Hilton’s Frequently Asked Questions for Milestone Bonuses

1. What are Milestone Bonuses?
New Milestone Bonuses allow members to earn a fixed amount of Hilton Honors Bonus Points when they achieve a certain number of eligible nights during each calendar year.

2. How many Hilton Honors Bonus Points can I earn by achieving these Milestone Bonuses?
Hilton Honors members will earn 10,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points at 40 eligible nights and 10,000 Bonus Points for every 10 additional eligible nights thereafter during a calendar year – with no cap. On your 60th eligible night per year, you will receive an additional 30,000 Bonus Points on top of the 10,000 Milestone Bonus Points achieved at that threshold.

Example: That means if you stay 60 nights in a year, not only will you reach Diamond status and start earning 20 Points per dollar spent at most brands, you’ll have also cumulatively earned 60,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with these exclusive Milestone Bonuses.

3. Is there any limit to earning Milestone Bonus Points for members who have achieved at least 40 eligible nights within a calendar year? 
Every eligible night counts – there is no limit to the number of 10,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points you can earn once you hit 40 eligible nights within the calendar year. For example, if you hit 300 eligible nights, then you will earn a cumulative total of 300,000 Bonus Points from these Milestones Bonuses.

4. For one stay, how many rooms will count toward achieving eligible nights and the associated Milestone Bonuses?
Earning nights toward these bonuses will follow the same rules as earning nights toward elite tier status – i.e. a Member will only receive credit for the nights stayed for one room, not multiple rooms booked for the same duration by the same Hilton Honors Member.

Example: If you book two rooms at the same hotel for a one night stay – you will earn Hilton Honors Points on both of the rooms, but you will only receive one night credit total toward achieving the Milestone Bonuses and toward elite status qualification.

Within a calendar year, the total amount of nights that a member could achieve toward these Milestone Bonuses is 365 nights – equivalent to 360,000 Hilton Honors Milestone Bonus Points per year. For more information on the earning rules when booking multiple rooms, please refer to the Accrual of Points page.

5. Do Milestone Bonus Points count toward earning tier status?
Bonus Points do not count towards earning tier status (only Base Points count towards tier status qualification).

6. When will I receive these Milestone Bonuses? Will any nights from stays in 2018 (before the new earn rates begin in April) be counted toward these new bonuses?
All eligible nights stayed during the 2018 calendar year will count toward these new Milestone Bonuses.

Members who have reached more than 40 nights stayed before April 2018, will see the new bonuses credited to their accounts in April 2018 for those nights already achieved since January 2018. Members will then earn any subsequent bonuses throughout the year as they hit more milestones above 40 nights.

Example: If you have 60 eligible nights between January 2018 and April 2018, you will receive 60,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points. Calculated as 30,000 Bonus Points for the three 10,000 bonuses at 40, 50, and 60 nights as well as an additional 30,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points for hitting the 60 night milestone – all those new Milestone Bonus Points will post in April 2018 for the member activity in the first 3 months. 

7. When will these Milestone Bonus Points post to my account?
In April 2018, members will receive these Bonus Points once completing the qualifying stay that achieves the Milestone Bonus. These Bonus Points will then be posted after check-out for that qualifying stay.

Here are the Hilton’s Frequently Asked Questions for Elite Bonuses

1. How is Hilton Honors providing an easier way to earn points?
We are simplifying how you earn Points when you book direct and stay with us. Members will continue to earn 10 Points per dollar spent (5 at Home2 Suites by Hilton and Tru by Hilton) and starting April 2018, elite tier bonuses will increase for Silver (20%), Gold (80%) and Diamond (100%) members. This means we are saying goodbye to Earning Style Options, including Points & Miles, and making it easier for Silver, Gold & Diamond members to earn more Points on hotel stays.

You will still earn elite tier status through stays, nights and eligible spending — no changes there — and continue to convert your Hilton Honors Points into miles with participating airline programs around the world.

A Hilton Honors Exclusive: Milestone Bonuses – Members will also earn 10,000 Bonus Points on every 10th night, once you reach at least 40 nights in a calendar year. It’s not a limited time offer, no registration is required and there is no cap — the more you stay, the more you earn! And on your 60th night per year, you will receive an additional 30,000 Bonus Points.

Yes, that means if you stay 60 nights in a year, not only will you reach Diamond status and start earning 20 points per dollar spent, you’ll have also earned 60,000 Bonus Points with this exclusive milestone bonus.

2. When will these new elite bonuses be effective?
Hilton Honors elite members will begin earning new elite bonuses starting April 2018. Members will see these Points posted on their account page at HiltonHonors.com and in the Hilton Honors App at that time.

3. How do I become a Hilton Honors elite member?
An elite member is a Hilton Honors member who has obtained status tiers Silver, Gold or Diamond. The way a member obtains status has not changed – the amount of nights, stays, and eligible spending is still the same to earn and maintain elite status. To find out how to earn elite status refer to the Membership Tiers page.

4. What if I have selected an Earning Style Option of Points & Points or Points & Miles?
You will be able to edit your Earning Style Option selection and continue earning additional Points or Miles until April 2018 at which point Earning Style Options will be removed for all members and replaced with the new elite bonuses for Silver, Gold & Diamond members.

5. Can I still earn Miles for my hotel stays? 
Beginning April 2018, new elite bonuses will replace the Points & Miles and Points & Points Earning Style Options. Members will not be able to earn miles on stays, but can continue to transfer their Hilton Honors Points into Miles with Hilton Honors travel partners.

Members can visit this page to reference the current set of Hilton travel partners that participate in exchange of Hilton Honors Points to Miles.

6. How can I convert Hilton Honors Points into Hilton Honors’ travel partner currencies?
For Hilton Honors members who wish to convert Hilton Honors Points into other travel partners (e.g. airlines, rail, etc.), they can visit the exchange page to learn more about how to convert their Points.

7. How can I convert other Hilton Honors’ travel partner currencies into Hilton Honors Points? 
For Hilton Honors Members who wish to convert Points or Miles from other travel partners (e.g. airlines, rail, credit card, etc.) into Hilton Honors Points, they can visit this page (for airline and rail partners) and this page (for credit card partners) to gain even more Hilton Honors Points.

by

 John Ollila www.loyalitylobby.com