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I suspect it's a case of too many people getting points through other means (credit card, online promotions, etc.) driving redemption rates up. Heck, you could get Honors points in exchange for Coca Cola points earlier this year.
I received many perks through Hilton Honors a few years back. I generally like the Hilton hotels and would prefer them because I got points. Recently they either tightened up the requirements or I am travelling less. Got downgraded in membership grade. So now I just look for price/ reviews, independent of company.
Frequency flyer/ sleeper plans walk a fine line...if too generous the company isn't maximizing income...if too chintzy it has no impact on the customer. Seems to me we are in the second situation now with most of these plans.
What is the deal with $85 per night Hampton Inns wanting 30000 points a night. It makes want to not use Hilton products anymore.
Agreed - it seems like the point values are rather high on the lower-priced properties these days, although from what I see, it depends on what part of the country you are looking at.
For $85 per night, I'll just pay it. Mainly because for 40k-50k points per night I can get a room at a nice resort that may normally be $400, $500 or more per night so I'd much rather hold those points (my wife have just over 1 million HHonors points between us) for use at upscale resort properties to get 5 nights for free vs. $2500.00 rather than blow a bunch on an inexpensive room.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rational1
Recently they either tightened up the requirements or I am travelling less. Got downgraded in membership grade.
I believe tier requirements are the same as they have been for quite some time - 4 stays or 10 nights for Silver, 16 stays / 36 nights for Gold, 28 stays / 60 nights for Diamond. I seem to have stayed Gold the past few years as I don't travel as much, but it seems it has been enough to keep that level.
For $85 per night, I'll just pay it. Mainly because for 40k-50k points per night I can get a room at a nice resort that may normally be $400, $500 or more per night so I'd much rather hold those points for use at upscale resort properties to get 5 nights for free vs. $2500.00 rather than blow a bunch on an inexpensive room.
Ditto. If you are HHonors Diamond and have millions of Hilton points you don't know what to do with, then blow some points on the cheaper rooms. I am HHonors Gold, and like Tober stated, inexpensive rooms give you the least bang for your buck. For me personally, the GLON rewards are the best bang for my buck (discounted point redemption for anyone with Hilton status). If I need one night in a $80/night Hampton Inn, I'll pay cash.
I won't use points on hotels that are less than $100. I usually save mine up for GLON stays in expensive big city type rooms where they run $$200-300+ a night for the most part. What I think is more ridiculous is a Hampton Inn charging $200/night in the middle of nowhere!
It really depends on the location and normal rate of the hotels in the Hilton family. I have been maximizing my points for 10+ years now and taking some amazing vacations!
I also save them for the more expensive areas. Used 80K per night in Athens for a $900/night junior suite with an Acropolis view this past summer. It was at the end of a three week trip and we knew we'd be spending some time in the room just staring at the scenery with a bottle of wine on the balcony. It was a great way to end the trip.
I won't use points on hotels that are less than $100. I usually save mine up for GLON stays in expensive big city type rooms where they run $$200-300+ a night for the most part. What I think is more ridiculous is a Hampton Inn charging $200/night in the middle of nowhere!
Supply and demand.
Two years ago I needed a room in the Johnsonburg, PA area. Everything was sold out. I managed to get a room almost 60 miles away at a Hampton for $180/night. What on earth would be going on in a little craphole like Johnsonburg? Turns out that it was the World Woodcutting Championships. You just never know.
The Fairfield in Portsmouth, NH that runs $83/night in January goes up to $200 in July. Seasonal demand.
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