Hilton Group plc owned Hilton International hotels and Ladbrokes betting shops. The former UK company sold its hotels in 2006 and continued under the Ladbrokes name.
This scheme has endedHilton Group’s sale announcement set 31 December 2006 as the end of its shareholder benefits. It said no new cards would be issued after the hotel sale completed.
History of the perk
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Shareholder benefits ended
The sale announcement set this date for termination and said no new cards would be issued after completion. It said the buyer had agreed to honour benefits for bookings made before the shareholder meeting.
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Hotel business sold
Hilton Hotels Corporation bought Hilton Group’s hotel business on 23 February 2006. Hilton Group changed its name to Ladbrokes that day; the betting business stayed with the listed company.
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Shareholders approved the sale
Hilton Group shareholders approved the hotel sale. The buyer’s results announcement records the date of this meeting, which the sale documents used as the booking cutoff.
What shareholders got
Hilton Group’s shareholder card gave 15% off qualifying UK and Ireland hotel bills at published or Hilton Leisure Break rates, and off restaurant food and drink when the holder was not staying at the hotel. Outside the UK, it gave 15% off published room rates and food and drink while staying at the hotel, subject to the territorial exclusions below.
Who qualified
You needed at least one share.
Other conditions
- Physical card required
- Yes
Previous claim process
The shareholder privileges card, shown on arrival.
- 1. Booking and presenting the cardShareholders booked through the shareholder telephone service and showed their card on arrival. Hilton applied eligible discounts at checkout.
Dates
The former terms did not specify any qualifying date or minimum holding period.
- Claim deadline
- The shareholder meeting was on 27 January 2006. The sale announcement covered bookings made before it; the agreement also covered that day. Both protected stays before 31 December 2006. See “Which existing bookings were protected?” below.
- Scheme ended
Practical notes
Today’s Hilton Worldwide is a different company
Today’s Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HLT) is a different issuer. Its shares do not establish eligibility for the former UK card.
No minimum shareholding
The terms stated no minimum shareholding. Shareholders were told to expect their privileges card six to seven weeks after buying Hilton Group shares.
Family and other benefits
The holder could use the card with immediate family, but had to be a member of the party. In the UK and Ireland, the terms offered 10% off special-event weekends, weddings at participating hotels and LivingWell joining and membership fees. Weddings at The Langham in London were excluded, and the hotel manager set the exact wedding terms. Room upgrades depended on availability on arrival.
Overseas exclusions
The overseas offer excluded the United States and Hilton Hotels Corporation properties in Canada and Mexico. The card could not be combined with other discounts or used for conferences and functions.
Why the card excluded the United States
Hilton Hotels Corporation’s 2005 annual report explains the split: its 1964 spin-off agreement barred the US company from operating Hilton hotels abroad and Hilton International from operating them in the United States. Later licences allowed the US company to develop Hilton properties in Canada and Mexico. The 2006 acquisition reunited the businesses.
Which existing bookings were protected?
The sale announcement said the buyer had agreed to honour benefits for bookings made before the shareholder meeting, held on 27 January 2006. The sale agreement also covered bookings made that day. Both limited the protection to stays or visits before 31 December 2006.