Hilton HHonors - Request suggestions on maximizing earnings of HHonors points

If company is hosting party of 30-35 people is there a maximium amount of points that can be earned.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by DPA32:
If company is hosting party of 30-35 people is there a maximium amount of points that can be earned. </font>

Two rooms, and maybe if you charge everything to one of the rooms.......

You might want to look into the event planner program, 1hhonor point and 1 air mile for every dollor spent.

http://www.hilton.com/en/hhonors/points/eventplanner.jhtml

Also:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/004606.html



[This message has been edited by gw14 (edited 07-02-2002).]

I agree, contact the hotel directly and speak with the event planner. My friend has approached a Marriott property here in the UK, and by talking directly to the hotel, has negotiated a pretty good deal.

Good luck!

I'm all about points all the time. I don't fly enough to earn status, or even FF rewards most of the time, so I regularly "sweep" my FF miles to points.

Here's how I always make sure I'm earning transferrable miles:Fly -&gt; Earn

UA --&gt; UA or MX
US --&gt; UA
DL --&gt; UA (and soon CO)
CO --&gt; CO
HA --&gt; HA (Hawaiian)
NW --&gt; HA, CO (HA reported faster transfer than CO (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum25/HTML/000159.html))
HP --&gt; HA (HP = America West)
AS --&gt; HA, CO, or AA (AS = Alaska)
AA --&gt; AA (now that they're 1:2 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif)
YX --&gt; YX (YX = Midwest)
F9 --&gt; YX (F9 = Frontier)

I use iDine (http://www.idine.com) to help top of FF accounts, switching airlines every few months as the accounts hit 5,000. This is always fun, as of course my iDine account is linked to my Hilton Amex and Visa cards. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

For my double dip airline (non-Hampton/Scandic only), I've been using Aero California (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/005327.html) to get 750 miles (1500 points) per stay. I haven't hit 5,000 miles yet, and so I haven't tested their transferring process or timeline, but I call every few months to check my balance, always mention the transfer, and they always say they know how to do it.

For my Hampton double dips, I just pick an account from the list of transferrable programs that could use 100 miles.

I don't frequently rent cars, and when I do, I often find very low prices from "off" brands like Fox or Advantage. But it is worth noting two good earning opportunities from rentals: Virgin Atlantic and Lan Chile (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/005327.html).

Follow the Lan Chile link for info on earning 800 points (400 miles) per rental on Avis, Hertz, and National (watch out, National rental must be minimum 2 days).

For Virgin Atlantic, you can earn 1,000 points (1,000 miles @ 1:1) for renting Avis, Budget, or Hertz (or 500 points on negotiated discount rates).

My understanding is that these programs, being foreign based, are NOT subject to the frequent flyer mile excise tax.

I'm interested in hearing your comments on any of the above.

[This message has been edited by Rut Dog (edited 02-21-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Rut Dog:
I'm interested in hearing your comments on any of the above.</font>Or not. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

But I thought I'd bump this up for Monday morning.

My job is relocating me to orange county (close to SNA). I have an option of reimbursable extended hotel stay. My questions are:
1) how to maximize HHonors rewards (I am an HH gold)
2) does anyone know anything about Hampton Inn & Suites Santa Ana/Orange County Airport (my possible modest choice)
3) any other HH choices?
4) with all due respect to HH, can I get better rewards through another program?

I appreciate your suggestions

To maximize points make sure you charge everything to the room, don't pay cash for anything in the place.

If people come over for a meal, charge that to the room and take their cash.

If you are striving for higher status and want stays, remember that a long stay counts as one stay, same as a one night stay. If I were you I would bounce around between hotels until you reached diamond status, then stay in one place.

While I do like to bounce between hotels in Vegas, 28 changes to reach Diamond might drive me nuts. I'll most likely requalify for gold through nights (36) by staying at one place. I think that for example $3K spent will transform into 30000 base + 7500 gold bonus + 15000 points instead of miles = 52500 points.
I am tempted to apply for HHAmex and pay with it to add 15000 more + 10000 for amex application.
Am I missing anything else?
I am new to FT and I'm trying to catch up http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Make sure you don't exceed the maximum permitted stay for points / you may need a check-out after a month or so, at which point you'd be considered a resident (and not have to pay certain taxes), not a transient guest.

IIRC the max number of points per stay is 100,000.

Also - try to get on the ACAQ promo. Get a quick additional 50K points. (see other post this forum).

Check for challenges to get to Diamond quicker - don't know if any are running right now, but with 100K+ points and a Diamond card, life at Hiltons can be very nice!

Hi. My recent great stay at HWV depleted my 3-year inventory of Hilton Honors points. Thanks to reading this board, I have learned some tips for maximizing earing of points like taking points and points as my earning option and donating money to Walk for Hope a good cause anyway.


I have tried several times this week to sign up for a Hilton Honors credit card but each time after I enter my data, it doesnt connect with the website and I lose the info. Maybe I will try this later.

Any other ideas for earing points? I am gold through April 06 so a gold challenge, if there were one, wouldnt work for me--would it? What a great way to earn 50K points...

Thanks in advance for your suggestions

You can apply for tha AMEX over the phone as well.

If you travel for business you could always eat at the hotel, or bring your clients to the restaurant. This is an easy way to rack up some extra points.

AA miles transfer in at 1 mile = 2 HH points. For me, this is one of the easiest ways to get HH points because as an AA plat I get 100% milage bonus. A 175k GLON2 award becomes only 43k traveled miles which means I'll earn about 2 per year this way.

CO miles can also be transferred via Amtrak Guest Rewards into HHonors points or Marriott free-night certs.

You could always run out and buy alot of eggo waffles for the American Miles,
so with the exchange to Hilton comes out to 25 Hilton Points per waffle!

JudyJFLA

With a freezer full of waffles.....

I have learned some tips for maximizing earing of points like taking points and points as my earning option

Points + Points may not be the best way to maximize your earnings since it depends on how much you spend. You didn't mention where you typically stay and how much you pay, but for the sake of this example I'll assume you're a regular joe and not a high-roller. ;)

Since you're more interested in points, I would stay at a different property each night and collect the miles for each stay. This also contributes to you becoming Diamond which increases your earned points per stay.

Lets use an example of 3 one-night stays at a rate of $100 per night.

Points + Miles

HGI-Hilton-HGI

3000 HH base points
3000 Converted from 1500 AA miles(500 miles per night)
750 Gold VIP
--------------
6750 Total HH points

Points + Points

Hilton-Embassy-Hilton

3000 HH base points
1500 Points + Points bonus
750 Gold VIP
--------------
5250 Total HH Points

Points + Points becomes the most effective if your nightly rate is higher $200 per night. That is when the 5 points per dollar spent becomes higher than the points earned through the conversion of earned miles.

When using the miles method Hampton Inn stays should be avoided at all costs.

Point and Point is only usefull with either higher rates or longer stays. If I have a short 1 night stay, I typically ask for point and Miles. The exclusion about Hamption is true if you are collecting legacy airlines miles since it is only 100 Miles but if you need some credits to top off a SWA reward, Hamption Inn gives you .5 credit...

At the moment, Hiltons in Canada is doing a double points and double Miles promotion...

ByrdluvsAWACO -

The sample you give is flawed, because it is predicated on receiving 500 miles per night. You only receive 500 miles per stay.

Keeping that in mind, your sample stay still is better off with Points + Points (with 5250 points, as opposed to the 4250 for Points + Miles). The point where it becomes better to take Points + Points (as opposed to Points + Miles) is the point where you will earn more in points (1000+ points) than from the converted miles.

In other words, any folio with a net greater than $200 will suffice, regardless of the length of the stay.

Mike

At the moment, Hiltons in Canada is doing a double points and double Miles promotion...

Is this correct? Do you have a reference? I saw an -email from AC on this and got the impression it was only double AP points.

If I can get double-double, does anyone know if I can switch from taking 50% HH bonus points instead of airline points and then switch back when this promo is over?

ByrdluvsAWACO -

The sample you give is flawed, because it is predicated on receiving 500 miles per night. You only receive 500 miles per stay.

Keeping that in mind, your sample stay still is better off with Points + Points (with 5250 points, as opposed to the 4250 for Points + Miles). The point where it becomes better to take Points + Points (as opposed to Points + Miles) is the point where you will earn more in points (1000+ points) than from the converted miles.

In other words, any folio with a net greater than $200 will suffice, regardless of the length of the stay.

Mike

I believe that the example posed by ByrdluvsAWACO is for a three night stay in which he rotates between properties each night, thus receiving the 500 air miles each day.

At a limited number of properties, Golds and Diamonds can choose to forego elite perks for a few (250 to 1000) extra points per night. Worth it if you're late in/early out, possibly not worth it if you'd be spending much time in the room.

I believe that the example posed by ByrdluvsAWACO is for a three night stay in which he rotates between properties each night, thus receiving the 500 air miles each day.

A "three-night stay" is not the same as three one-night stays in multiple properties. I think that referring to them interchangably (as is done a couple of times in the post) can lead to some confusion. Given the language of the post, there is a strong implication that a person will receive 500 miles per night on a multiple-night stay, regardless of whether this implication was intended.

I don't believe that this was intended, but I do think that the post should be edited to remove the references to three single-night stays as "a three-night stay."

Mike

Is this correct? Do you have a reference? I saw an -email from AC on this and got the impression it was only double AP points.

If I can get double-double, does anyone know if I can switch from taking 50% HH bonus points instead of airline points and then switch back when this promo is over?

I am reasonable sure I got an e-mail to that effect but cannot check since my laptop is in for repairs.. Hopefully will have it back tomorrow and will post when I verify...

This is correct. There is a code and you have to call to register. I did register but had to wait a while as the agents were not sure of this but got it done.

silver springer, try www.mypoints.com (and do you know that Chevy Chase fellow?).

3000 Converted from 1500 AA miles(500 miles per night)1) 500 miles per stay, not per night, unless you are location hopping (a significant detractor, IMHO, and regardless not possible in every city)
2) Remember, you don't get the points until you have 5K miles, which is 10 stays unless you supplement miles with, well, flying. ;)

ByrdluvsAWACO -

The sample you give is flawed, because it is predicated on receiving 500 miles per night. You only receive 500 miles per stay.


Yes, I used the term "3 night stay" instead of "3 one-night stays", but if you notice in the beginning of the post I mentioned staying at a different property every night. I corrected the example.


Keeping that in mind, your sample stay still is better off with Points + Points (with 5250 points, as opposed to the 4250 for Points + Miles). The point where it becomes better to take Points + Points (as opposed to Points + Miles) is the point where you will earn more in points (1000+ points) than from the converted miles.

Given the correction to the example, Points + Miles would still come out with more points, until the folio exceeds $200.

...unless you are location hopping (a significant detractor, IMHO, and regardless not possible in every city)

Hotel-hopping has the benefit of maximizing your points and your individual stays at the same time. Yes, it's not possible in every city or every trip. However, many cities have two non-Hampton properties to make my above example possible.


2) Remember, you don't get the points until you have 5K miles, which is 10 stays unless you supplement miles with, well, flying.

True, but I think the original poster wasn't looking to top off his account. He seemed to be interested in getting the maximum amount of points possible per stay(or night). The fact that the points would come later didn't seem to impact his intended use.

I am reasonable sure I got an e-mail to that effect but cannot check since my laptop is in for repairs.. Hopefully will have it back tomorrow and will post when I verify...

Sorry, I checked and it was an Air Canada Offer for Double Miles and Hilton Honours points rather than Double Miles and Double Hilton Honours Points.

*************
Earn Double Aeroplan Miles with the Hilton Family of Hotels

Hoping to get away sometime soon? Head for the Hilton Family of Hotels in Canada from January 17 to March 31, 2005, and you'll earn Double Aeroplan Miles for each stay. That's double the miles and your HHonors points.

Taking advantage of Double Dip®† and this special offer is easy. If you're already an HHonors member, and have selected Aeroplan as your mileage earning preference, simply call the HHonors Customer Service Centre at 1-800-HHONORS and press option '6' and then option '5' to speak to an agent, and then ask for Promotion Code ACHC. And if you're not a member yet, simply visit hiltonhhonors.com to enrol in the Hilton HHonors Program—and make sure to select Aeroplan as your mileage earning preference. Membership is free—so join now and start benefiting from a world of recognition and rewards!

deleted.

I've been a member of HH for 7 years, but only remember staying once, and that was two months ago. I must have signed up, then forgot all about it. In any case, I just received an unsolicited free night certificate in the mail (yippee-I'm liking them more and more). I'm still a blue member and have 11,000 points. Over the next 8-9 months, I'll be staying in the same HGI for many, many nights over multiple stays. Any ideas on how to maximize my earnings?
Thanks.

First, see how you will earn most - HHonors Points and Variable Miles, HHonors Points and Fixed Miles, or HHonors Points and HHonors Points (that's what I use.) Second if you have the HHonors AMEX, you will get 5 more points per dollar, and a bonus for using it for the stay (if you don't have it, you can get another 20,000 points for getting one, and it is fee-free - and the AXON award, 125,000 points for a 4 night stay at a Cat 5 or 6 hotel, is nice as well.) You can apply and see the benefits here (http://tinyurl.com/22879o) (referrer from the FlyerTalk site.)

Next, decide on what status / membership level (http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/about/memlevels.do) you can achieve - but remember if you are close to a threshold on stays, you must check out and have one night break to count two stays as two stays. Yeah, I know, it's logical, but we have had one or two members who merely did multiple checkouts and checkins for one stay, and got credit for - one stay! :eek: (Hint: for "many, many nights over multiple stays," finagle it so you can get Diamond - the best rewards and definitely a girl's best friend. ;))

Check the HHonors® Terms & Conditions (http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/terms.do) to make sure you maximize everything - and of course, maintain at least annual activity, because it would be a shame to lose those points!

I'm in sort of the same boat - although I am a Diamond. I am looking at a 6 month assignment in Phoenix on per diem.

A few things to note:

Watch out staying too long, as I think there is a 100k point maximum per stay.

HGI gives 750 MyWay points per stay, if you want to hop around a bit.

Over 30 days continuous, and you may get taxes refunded.