How would you react?

[DVC Grandpa]

Late last week as a Hilton Honors member, I received an offer from a Hilton Grand Vacation Club spokesman offering a 4 day / 3 night package for either Orlando or Las Vegas at $33 per night, totaling $110.39. We selected the Orlando, International Drive location and as you know, this offer involved a stay at a “timeshare” unit, with promoting the idea we may become involved. After being on the phone, perhaps fifteen minutes, my wife and I agreed on taking advantage of the offer to Orlando. It was not until that point, when the solicitor started taking my history and work status, that we were told because I am currently 65 and retired, and am not employed, that I am no longer eligible for partaking in the offer.
Would this practice be highly discriminatory to exclude someone because of age and thus employment status? I would have thought that Hilton would be above such discrimination.

I did email Hilton last week but no reply thus far.

We are already DVC Members but the Hilton Vacation Club were attractive for those time we were not in Orlando...but not now.

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by DVC Grandpa

Would this practice be highly discriminatory to exclude someone because of age and thus employment status? I would have thought that Hilton would be above such discrimination.

No. They all require you have a job with a verifiable income before you can participate in the time share presentations and get the "special offers". You are not being discriminated against.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

Disney had no problem taking my money...age never came up with them and I was in the same status when I purchased Disneys Vacation Club.

 

[inaminute]

It just doesn't seem fair.

How do they know you couldn't/wouldn't pay cash? Since they're so quick to judge, I wouldn't bother with them. Just buy more DVC points!

 

[Bojangles]

Disney doesn't give you any incentives or big discounts to tour DVC, though. You are still free to purchase Hilton. You are just not eligible for their discounts.

 

[inaminute]

That IS wrong. Sounds like discrimination to me. Wonder what AARP would say about it?

 

[DVC Grandpa]

No Disney doesn't give big discounts to tour DVC but according to some they have give Disney $$.
If age is a factor in this, then why didn't they ask for age and employment status when the first called rather then waiting until the "deal" was about to be accepted?

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Sounds like discrimination to me. I would be highly insulted!!!! If that was really part of the criteria they should have screened you first to see if you matched before they made you the offer and then yanked it away from you.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

The sales pitch was that only about 11% buy into the Vacation Club after the visit, but also the experience a prospective buyer is communicated to others, thus promoting it even further. Perhaps I may have been one of the 89% who did not buy, but I may have promoted it to friends, which is one of the objectives of having prospective buyers visit. In this criteria, for offering the visit, being retired should nave not played any part in who is “allowed’ to accept an offer. Don’t forget, I was told that I was being called because I was a Hilton HHoners’ Gold VIP member and in good standing. This will make me think twice the next trip, perhaps Marriott is the best place to saty for us.

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by DVC Grandpa
In this criteria, for offering the visit, being retired should nave not played any part in who is “allowed’ to accept an offer.

We occasionally get similar Hilton offers in the mail. I think they require you to be currently employed and make at least $70K or something like that to participate in the promotional deals. I really don't think that is unfair.

Since, as you said, almost 90% of the people don't buy they want to weed out the people who may not be able to get financing. Having employment and income level criteria is a good way to do that.

 

[tar heel]

Totally wrong. There are plenty of retired people with high incomes. Not having a job doesn't mean you don't have $.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

Let’s face it, they don’t know my income and they didn’t attempt to find out. The weeding out should have happened before making an offer. I was told because I was retired and my wife and I did not have a part time job that the offer was being rescinded. That still seems like discriminating because of being retirement age and no part time work…

 

[DVC Grandpa]

Have I gone too far?

This morning I took the time to inquire thru AARP if this action taken by Hilton Vacation Club was standard procedure in matters such as this. The following is some of the AARP response …”We have taken the liberty of forwarding your inquiry to the Foundation Office; however we urge you to seek other qualified legal counsel. Our litigation unit rarely becomes involved in personal legal matters. When it does, it works in cooperation with local attorneys already representing the client. Case selections are made based on whether or not the case will have the opportunity to impact a large number of people, such as class action suits, or cases in which a ruling may positively impact AARP members and the general population.”
Perhaps this was going too far, but on the other hand I'll know how a action like this are thought of in the legal world.