Hilton HHonors - Anyone do the PHAR08?

Just one thread that I found from a few years back that said it was not worth the points... but if SAF8 is really gone I'm thinking of Egypt. @:-)

Anyone actually used the PHAR08? Love to hear about any experiences.

Thanks.

Just one thread that I found from a few years back that said it was not worth the points... but if SAF8 is really gone I'm thinking of Egypt. @:-)

Anyone actually used the PHAR08? Love to hear about any experiences.

Thanks.

OK it got the better of me and I have to ask what is the PHARO8?

OK it got the better of me and I have to ask what is the PHARO8?

From the HH Rewards Guide...

Egypt: Visit the Pharaohs

Seven free nights for two in the Land of Antiquity

Explore the ancient mysteries of the Pyramids with four nights at your choice
of either the Nile Hilton or Ramses Hilton, including daily buffet breakfast and
full-day sightseeing. Then fly to Luxor to explore upper Egypt; includes
sightseeing, three nights’ accommodations at the Hilton Luxor and daily buffet
breakfast. Return via air to Cairo. Package includes transportation to/from
airports/hotels.

HHonors points: 350,000 Reward Code: PHARO8

Most folks agree that this award is overpriced. You would be better served spending your points otherwise.


A search of this forum should give you some solid advice on this topic.

Sorry. Duplicate

Most folks agree that this award is overpriced.
Would agree with this. Let's break down the actual costs:

4 nites Nile Hilton: 25K @ = 100K points
3 nites Luxor H: 20K @ = 60K points
--------------
160K points

Since your are Diamond, I would assume Breakfast is provided anyways.

Per Travelocity: $500 for 2 RT Cairo--Luxor

Airport services: guess $150 total (6 trips total between the two airports and respective hotels)

Tours: When I was at Nile Hilton last year, 1/2 day tours were approx $25 @ per person at the concierge desk. So, 2 full days, 2 people = $200 And for this price, my son and I had private tours, or only one other person.

So, we are around 160K points and $850 cash. So, would you use an extra 190K points as opposed to the $850 cash? (and this $850 figure is the high end - you probably could reduce that significantly if you hunted around).

Does the package include the airfare between Cairo and Luxor and return? I looked at this package a few years ago and was told it did not. Decided it was a waste of points. Though I would like to go someday.

This award is just not worth the points.

For example, if you were to cost out the elements:

Four nights at the Nile Hilton would cost you about $600 ($120 a night plus 24% tax); the cost at the Ramses Hilton is a little cheaper at about $500 ($100 per night plus 24% tax); the cost at the Conrad is the same as the Ramses Hilton.

Three nights at the Luxor Hilton will cost about $260 ($70 a night plus 24% tax).

If you have a corporate discount the rates are even cheaper (for example my corporate discount brings the rate at the Ramses down to $75 a night.

So the cost of the hotels is worth about $750-$850.

Taxi fares are relatively cheap so the cost of the transfers would be less than $50. At the most the admission charges would be less that $100.

In my estimation that value of PHARO8 is about $1000.

Considering the number of points required, this is not good value.

A search of this forum should give you some solid advice on this topic.

Been there, done that.


Still not heard of anyone who has actually done this before.

The arguments presented are sounding pretty convincing against spending the points, but I'd still like to hear anyone's experiences who has actually done it.

Maybe no one has because it is overpriced?

I have to believe that the PHARO8 includes air transportation between Cairo and Luxor despite what some have been told; can anyone give direct experience whether this is the case?

Even so, with the accounting provided by Chuckles in #6 above it would seem that it's not a good use of points even including the transportation.

Even booking the award stays on your own: Nile Hilton = 25,000 points per night = 100,000 points for 4 nights or Ramses Hilton = 20,000 points per night = 80,000 points for 4 nights; Luxor Hilton = 20,000 points per night = 40,000 points for 2 nights. So the hotel portion is 120,000-140,000 points - you've only burned up 40% of the total vacation cost so far. Therefore it must include air between Cairo and Luxor, IMO.

Yes, R/T air between Cairo and Luxor is included.

Yes, R/T air between Cairo and Luxor is included.

I actually talked to HH a few weeks ago on whether airfare was included, they said no...the website specifically states that only transfers to/from airport are included. So I concluded it was definitely not worth it. Actually, Marriott has a safari-type package but is way overpriced. It's through the Orient-express, does not include meals, is only 3 nights, and costs 700,000 points!

Well, it does state that you fly between Cairo and Luxor - I guess they're advising you that it's too long to take a cab? ;)

I think you were given some incorrect information, particularly considering the premium charged for the package as compared to booking only the award stays at the hotels. The sightseeing and transfers aren't worth 200,000 points...

My info is based on a friend who used the PHAR08 package June 2004. Airflight Cairo-Luxor was included for his trip (has TONS of points, so did not care about the worthyness of this). One aspect he did not like was that he had no choice in flights, and Hilton placed him on the cheapest flight - the one that leaves at around 5:00 AM!!!

....friend...has TONS of points, so did not care about the worthyness of this...

That must be nice. I don't think I'd be so cavalier, regardless of my point total.