Hilton HHonors program keeps “evolving” and the program is being “simplified”, as the email they just sent out puts it. Hilton HHonors has decided to devalue the Double Dip program by discontinuing the Points & Fixed-miles option.
You have been able to earn Points & Points OR Points & Miles with Hilton HHonors. If you have chosen the Points & Miles option, you have further two choices between Fixed or Variable miles. You can read my piece about this program, as it is working right now, here.
Points & Fixed miles option has allowed you to earn a FIXED number of miles for you stay regardless of your folio amount.
This option has usually been the best choice for those whose folio amount has been less than $500. Now this option is discontinued starting January 6, 2014. Hilton HHonors has some faq’s about this change available here.
Conclusion
The Double Dip Points & Fixed-miles option has ALWAYS been my preferred Double Dip option for some extra airlines miles (that in case of Virgin Atlantic you have been able to transfer back to Hilton HHonors points).
I used to do this with BMI, as the partner airline, for 1,000 miles per night for up to three nights (3,000 miles for a three night stay). When BMI ceased to exist, I have been double dipping with Virgin Atlantic for 1,000 miles per stay that you have been able to convert back to 2,000 Hilton HHonors points.
During double or triple airline miles promotions, the fixed miles option has allowed me to earn bundle of miles for short Hilton stays.
This is nothing but one form of devaluation from Hilton HHonors. The Points & Variable Miles airline earning option is not exciting at all.
Here is the full text of the email Hilton HHonors has just sent to some:
Over the years, we have evolved and enhanced the Hilton HHonors™ program to provide benefits that deliver value and complement the way you travel. We have reviewed our members’ earning preferences and have decided to simplify our Earning Style Options.
On January 6, 2014, we will discontinue the Points & Fixed Miles Earning Style. At this time, you will automatically start to earn variable miles, or 10 HHonors Base Points plus one airline mile (or kilometer) per eligible US dollar spent for most stays.* This will appear as Points & Miles™ in your HHonors account profile. To learn more about this update and our Points & Points Earning Style, please visit us here.
We know the ability to Double Dip® is important to you and are pleased to be able to continue to offer this unique benefit. Hilton HHonors is the only hotel loyalty program that lets you earn Points & Miles from your choice of more than 50 airlines around the world. This update allows us to remain focused on the most widely-used rewards our members value.
Thank you for staying with us and we look forward to hosting you on your next getaway at any one of our 4,000 hotels and resorts worldwide.
Here are the frequently asked questions by Hilton about this change:
Starting January 6, 2014, Hilton HHonors will have two Earning Style Options: Points & Points or Points & Miles™. At this time, the Points & Fixed Miles option will be discontinued.
Q: When will this change be implemented?
A: Hilton HHonors will no longer offer Points & Fixed Miles as of January 6, 2014. HHonors will offer two Earning Style Options: Points & Points (HHonors Base Points + HHonors Bonus Points) and Points & Miles (HHonors Base Points + Variable Airline/Rail Miles).Q: What will happen to members who are currently enrolled in Points & Fixed Miles?
A: Starting on January 6, 2014, members previously enrolled in Points & Fixed Miles will automatically earn airline miles based on every eligible US dollar spent on stays. This will now appear as Points & Miles in the HHonors account profile and no action is required by the member.Q: What will happen to upcoming stays that I booked with Points & Fixed Miles before the changes were implemented?
A: For all stays with a check-in date before January 6, 2014, members who have Points & Fixed Miles may continue to receive Points & Fixed Miles for their entire stay. For stays with a check-in date on or after January 6, 2014, members with Points & Miles will automatically earn variable miles, or 10 HHonors Base Points plus 1 mile per eligible US dollar spent for most stays.* For a full list of partners and the miles you can earn, visit us here.
Q: How do I know what my Earning Style is and how do I change it?
A: Log-in to your HHonors account on HHonors.com. On your Account Overview page, select “Preferences” under “My Profile” on the left side. Once on the Preferences page, go to “MyWay Earning Style Preferences” where your current Earning Style will be listed. To change your Earning Style, click on the “Change Earning Style” link.
that messes me up for the virgin promotion as my last stay in 12th of jan which would of given me the combination to make 10,000 the amount needed before virgin let you exchange..
now i`ll be left with 9000 plus a few miles as my stay is at a £35 hilton garden inn..
grrrrr…
Maybe do one cheap staycation to wrap up the promo?
This leaves Australian HHers in the lurch as both VA and QF are fixed miles or HH mile double-dips only – variable miles aren’t even an option!
It is interesting to see if there is change with those airlines that have only offered the fixed miles option.
Yep, I used to do exactly the same as you, John, so very disappointed with this change. Also haven’t received any email notifying me of this change – a recurrent issue with HHonors in my experience.
Hilton hasn’t sent any emails about this “evolvement” for me either, but several readers forwarded the email they had received.
This is very unfortunate development.
Shocking news, really. And I wouldn’t even have known without your fantastic blog, John. Luckily, all my upcoming Hilton stays are in December, so I am virtually making the most of the current earnings option.
Well, looking at other hotel loyalty schemes, 2013 has obviously become a year of general devaluation…
This DD Fixed Miles option has been a good enough reason for me to stay at Hilton properties outside of the promo periods. Very difficult from now on.