Hilton HHonors - Hilton Honors Points sitting idle...

Hi everyone. I am a frequent reader of this forum but do not post often as I do not travel often.

We are HGVC timeshare owners and we do take a couple of vacations each year using our timeshare weeks.

In the meantime (and for the past 10 years) we have been acruing HHonors points. At this time, we have 260,000, which I realize is not much but may get us a weeks vacation somewhere?

We still have 2 kids at home (9 and 11) and most of the vacations seem to be for two people only.

Just looking for a little advice...what would be the best way to use these points? Should we continue acruing until the kids are out of the house (another 10 yrs), try to use them toward a family vacation of some sort, or maybe using them in small chunks for things like rental cars.

We do use points once or twice a year for hotel stays (Hampton Inn, for example) but I can't help thinking that these points are just sitting here going to waste.

Any advice? Is there some other good option that I am missing?

Thanks,

Dawn

Dawn,

Not sure where you'd like to go, but Embassy Suites is a popular choice with small families (mine is now down to 2 teens). With 260,000 points you'll find quite a few options for 6 nights (or more back to back). It's not a bargain like a GLON, but fun all the same. We've used points in Puerto Rico and New Orleans (pre-Katrina) in the past year. Both times, we stayed in ES and took the bedroom while the boys slept/lived in the front room.

Not sure where you are based, but if you have any status with HHonors at all, you can book the VIP awards - 6 nights for 150,000 or 175,000 points. Last month, we went to Phoenix Hilton Squaw Peak for the fourth time. Our kids love it and willingly go, even as teens now. for kids aged 9 and 11, the place is perfect with lazy river, waterslide, pools galore, and mini golf. Plus all suites and good opportunity for upgrades to casitas as gold/diamond. I call it a workingman's place because it is filled with families with kids, but there places adults an disappear to find some peace.

$58 for six nights - how can you beat it?

Thanks for the suggestions..

I have forgotten about Squaw Peak...I actually did try to book there a few years ago but ran into blackout dates. With the kids in school, I wasn't able to book during one of their breaks. I suppose we could consider if for summer, but I would think it would be terribly hot (doesn't bother me, but hubby and son can't take the heat very well).

Also, does it matter that most of the rewards state "for 2 people" if we actually have 4?

I am currently a Gold member, but I think that will be expiring soon.

Thanks again.

Dawn

If you want to go to Disney or Universal Studios, I have alot of firsthand advice. I have stayed at over 25 Different Hilton Properties there over the years. Eric

Thanks for the suggestions..

I have forgotten about Squaw Peak...I actually did try to book there a few years ago but ran into blackout dates. With the kids in school, I wasn't able to book during one of their breaks. I suppose we could consider if for summer, but I would think it would be terribly hot (doesn't bother me, but hubby and son can't take the heat very well).

Also, does it matter that most of the rewards state "for 2 people" if we actually have 4?

I am currently a Gold member, but I think that will be expiring soon.

Thanks again.

Dawn

Dawn, I have found great availability at SP for both February and April school vacations and have been both times. You can always book early and change your mind later and have the points put back into your account. This year, I booked for February in December. Coming from MA, 70 degrees in February and 85 degrees in April is a wonderful break, but Feb can be in low 60's meaning a jacket is needed at night. April is more crowded but more consistent weather. I wouldn't go in summer. Been there is early September at 105 degrees.

We try to incorporate other family members and this year had our smallest crowd yet, only 9 of us, last year, we had 24, but not all at once. As a Gold, the chances of a casita are good, but not guaranteed. Have been upgraded every time of 5 that I have been there. You need to be flexible, willing to wait a day, or even move if needed, so you may not have a casita everyday. Being nice at the front desk helps.

Four to a room is no problem, even if the award says two. This place is built for kids. There are two queens suites and king suites and all have pullout couches in front room. This year, we ended up in a king casita with the pullout couch for my son and rollaway for my daughter (they switched after a few days) It would have been better with a two queen bed casita but those are harder to come by. also two breakfast certs for everyday of stay and two waters at checkin. Huevos Lantana -ummmmmm.

OB

Wirelessly posted (My IV to the Net: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0) BlackBerry7250/4.0.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

Besides a few properties (mostly in the EU) it doesn't matter if you have four people.
I've just completed a series of award stays that lasted 1-2 nights and we have a family of four.
Unless you have seen something on FT specifically about a hotel limiting # of ppl in a room I would not worry about it.
If you do, worry about it, call the hotel to double check.

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions.

Unfortunately, no Feb or April breaks for us here...but perhaps if I check again there will not be a problem booking in March, which is when we have our break. Maybe there was a problem the year I was looking because it coincided with Easter, or something. (We ended up going to Sedona and the Grand Canyon that particular year, which was lovely.)

I think I will definately try to plan a trip to Squaw Peak. I remember seeing it in a Hilton ad many years ago and dreaming of going there....thanks for reminding me about it!

Thanks again,

Dawn

I would go somewhere FABULOUS wdaveo, to stay in a Hilton where there is not timeshare exchange option. Where the room rates are typically exorbitant.

The 6 night package awards can be great. Alternatively, either get two rooms for four nights at 125K per room--or wait until you get to 350K and get two rooms for six nights at 175K per room (apologies--I forget those package code names such as GLON).

I'm thinking Rome, Paris, London, Cannes. If you're hestitant about your kids being a little to young--wait a year or so until you think they will appreciate mnuseums and urban attractions. Although London is arguably great for all ages....

I have been a member of Hilton Honors since the early 1990s. I have accumulated over 100K points in my account.
It has been approximately 15 months since I have stayed at a Hilton. This was due to a knee problem which has kept me from traveling. When I attempted to log into my Hilton Honors account yesterday, I kept receiving an error message. I got on the phone to speak to a live person, and she said that my account had been terminated and all of my Hilton Honors points were cancelled. She indicated that apparently in fine print in the contract, it says that your Honors points are terminated if you don't have a qualifying stay over a 12 month period. I was appalled. I indicated to the rep that I was never notified that my points were at risk of being lost. I spoke to a supervisor and was told that they would bring my case up before "the Committee" (a nice vague ruling body) and would determine if my miles will get reinstated.
Be forewarned all your Hilton honorees.

she said that my account had been terminated and all of my Hilton Honors points were cancelled. She indicated that apparently in fine print in the contract, it says that your Honors points are terminated if you don't have a qualifying stay over a 12 month period.

I'm sorry for your loss.

This comes up regularly in about every forum on FT. It pays to become familiar with the rules and regs of your programs. If this had happened to me, I'd write a letter, explain the situation and hope for the best. I would not rely on a phone conversation to take care of it in my favor.

The 6 night package awards can be great. Alternatively, either get two rooms for four nights at 125K per room--or wait until you get to 350K and get two rooms for six nights at 175K per room (apologies--I forget those package code names such as GLON).

The 6-night award for up to Cat 5 is now called a GLON2, and it's 150,000 pts.

The 6-night award for Cat 6 is now called a GLONP2, and it's 175,000 pts.

The 4-night award (Cat 5 or 6) for 125,000 points is called an AXON, and you get it through your Hilton AMEX card (see many threads on this).

And I agree -- the best bang for the buck return on your Hilton points is at exotic locations where you'd never spend the actual cash. My wife still gets misty-eyed over our stay at the Cavalieri. :)

Unfortunately, it IS posted clearly in the HHonors terms and conditions (http://hhonors.hilton.com/en/hhonors/terms.jhtml). HHonors tries contacting folks via e-mail, but in the end it is up to us. IMO, it is good of HH to send your case up to the committee for further consideration - they are working on it.


"13. Members who do not earn points in any 12 month consecutive month period may be removed from the Program and, if so, are subject to forfeiture of all accumulated points. The account may be reactivated by the member taking one of the following actions:
stay at an HHonors hotel, thus reactivating membership; or
earn HHonors points through any third party source of HHonors point accumulation

Failure to take action (a) or (b) or described above within the prescribed 90-day period will result in the closure of the Member's account and the forfeiture of all accumulated points. Members can redeem HHonors points for any HHonors reward for which they are eligible prior to the account being closed. After the points have been redeemed, the HHonors account will be closed and all remaining points in the account will be forfeited.

14. Each Member is responsible for remaining knowledgeable as to the Program Terms and Conditions and as to the number of points in his or her account. HHonors will attempt to send correspondence to active Members to advise them of matters of interest, including notification of Program changes...
"

It is important, IMO, to be familiar with the terms and conditions of all affinity and award programs to maximize them. In your case, HH may consider the extenuating circumstances - but remember, even earning points through a partner is qualifying activity that counts, and the airlines often have similar requirements. Good luck with your quest!

I have been a member of Hilton Honors since the early 1990s. I have accumulated over 100K points in my account.
It has been approximately 15 months since I have stayed at a Hilton. This was due to a knee problem which has kept me from traveling. When I attempted to log into my Hilton Honors account yesterday, I kept receiving an error message. I got on the phone to speak to a live person, and she said that my account had been terminated and all of my Hilton Honors points were cancelled. She indicated that apparently in fine print in the contract, it says that your Honors points are terminated if you don't have a qualifying stay over a 12 month period. I was appalled. I indicated to the rep that I was never notified that my points were at risk of being lost. I spoke to a supervisor and was told that they would bring my case up before "the Committee" (a nice vague ruling body) and would determine if my miles will get reinstated.
Be forewarned all your Hilton honorees.