UPDATED: Hilton "Boat Load" of Promotions coming in 2010.. 2 of them on Jan 4?

UPDATE BELOW RE: JAN SALE HAS STARTED

After Hiltons massive devaluation of HH points, Jeff Diskin (VP HH marketing) has promised a boatload of fantastic public promotions this year. But what will they be? It is rumored that Hilton will be doing a 1qt free night give away, starting on Jan 4 or 5 2010. The rumors are that after 4 stays or 10 nights at participating Hilton Family hotels (between January and the end of March) you'll receive a free night certificate at any Hilton family hotel. Hotels are opted-in by default. I have emailed a contact at Hilton and she did not deny this promotion. I did ask details like, “4 night at an Hampton Inn will be a free night at a Waldorf?” The reply was, “full details are always posted with our promotions, and all promotions have terms conditions and rules. ” I would be shocked if one could get a free night at the Waldorf Collection after 4 $49.00 nights at their local Hampton Inn. SPG did something like this in the past but the free nights were only for Fri/Sat/Sun nights.. Inter Continental had a promotion like this and the free nights were for any day of the week. I would like to see free nights good at a category 1-7 hotels.

Only time will tell if Hilton will run a real competitive promotion in 1QT 2010.

I have confirmed that the Hilton January Sale will be back, last year many hotels around the world were at 50% off, and some really good rates were out there. The rules were had to book pre-pay in Jan and stay between Jan and the end of Aug. Booking deadline was extended into Mid February last year. I’m told that this year will be very much the same, around 50% off rooms with Breakfast included in the rate. Last year for example I was able to book the Hilton Brussels for 65.50 Euro for 2 with Breakfast. Booked early Jan for a July 31 checkin.

Hilton has pissed off many with the new point rates for free nights, many are ready to jump ship, will these 2 early promotions do the trick to keep them??! Time will tell.

UPDATE:

The Jan sale rates have been loaded to some hotels. Looks like only good on Fri/Sat/Sun nights. Some good rates with breakfast Inc. If you have some rooms booked already you might want to change.. Here is an example of a changed Reservation: