Hilton HHonors - Is HHonors the best choice for infrequent travel?

Is Hilton Honors the best hotel program for an infrequent traveller that still wants to maximize his ability to accumulate points over a longer stretch of time? Right now my business travel is limited to perhaps 2-3 trips per year (thankfully) and for the majority of my leisure travel I can stay with friends.

I'm quite aware of the SPG program and the ability to transfer 20k points to 25k airline miles but the annual fee eliminates its usefulness to me as I won't spend enough in a year on it to even make one of those transfers. The rest of the hotel programs have a card that has the fee waived for the first year but then the fee reappears.

However with the HHonors AmEx Platinum there is no annual fee (indefinitely at present), points do not expire, and I would have silver status for the duration of card membership. In addition to the 15,000 point account opening bonus I could also open a Citi Signature card for 15,000 points. Then I could slowly work my way through the 4 additional stays per card to get another 2,500 points per stay..

I'm a bit limited in my ability to do mattress runs but that could also be an option if they were local and if I could begin accumulating sufficient points for a 4-5 night stay somewhere.

The goal would be to accumulate enough points eventually to stay at a nice place on an international trip, Level 6 perhaps?

Anything else I should be considering? I'm aware there's continuous devaluation of hotel points similar to airline miles..

Just as hotel rates increase, there is a devaluation / upgrade of categories, in many chains. Inflation is. But for the reasons you state, as long as Hilton has properties where you go, it probably is a good deal. Also, don't forget the AXON award - four nights for 125,000 points in Cat 5 or 6 hotels, as a HHonors AMEX holder. I've used a couple of these in what otherwise would have been very expensive hotels and feel they are a very good use of points.

Personally I make HHonors my program of choice. Despite I like SPG and their hotels a lot more. HH rates are little higher than others, but HH is widely available and I am sure I can find a hilton somewhere (Hampton Inn not counted.) Even I am considering dumping my Citi HH for the AmEx version.

I think it would fit you if you are infrequent or sproadic traveler, especially with their rolling VIP tier. Actually I am thinking of a Level 6 2 week stay in Asia somewhere and still gathering points for that...175k HH pts for 6 night Cat 6 is nice (150k for Cat 5 below is mixed bag, through.)

Even HH or SPG is devaluing their miles, I would call that a necessary evil and deal with it.

I would suggest you enrolling either mypoints or e-rewards to prop up your HH account.

Did you know spending 20k/yr on HH Amex gets your auto Gold status? :)

hi,

i think for people who are not travelling a lot getting a hilton card and instant status is the best thing.
if you read the rolling tier threads there are ways discribed in which you only have to stay every 3 years 16stays to keep your hilton gold status.

silver gives you nothing in the hilton program, you have to try to get gold.
gold will give you lounge acess and breakfast in the lounge for free.

so if you do not travel a lot i think hilton is the way to go.

another option would be, if you dont stay often in hotels, why even stick to a hotel chain. just chose the cheapest option available, priceline , etc.

you will safe a lot money, and you can than pay with the saved money your dreamvacation, you dont have to care about points devaluation etc.

dp

Stick around and you'll notice mention of Fast Track offers to gold for as few as 4 stays in 90 days.

Stick around and you'll notice mention of Fast Track offers to gold for as few as 4 stays in 90 days.

Which work, BTW, as I just got my gold that way this week!

I was Gold not long after joining HHonors myself! ;)

silver gives you nothing in the hilton program, you have to try to get gold.

Given that Silvers are eligible for the VIP-only rewards just as Golds and Diamonds are, I fail to see how Silver "gives nothing."

Yes, the benefits are less in comparison to the other tiers, but saying that there are no benefits is quite hyperbolic.

Mike

Sounds like you're talking two things: one, where to stay on business and two, what CC to use as your primary card.

For the first question, assuming you have freedom to pick any of the majors, I think HH is a pretty good choice for an infrequent traveler. When people say "Silver doesn't get you anything", what they mean is that it's now the new "base" level for anyone who is paying attention. (e.g., It is truly free - given away the instant you get your free HH Amex.) In practice, it does put you a notch up above people in the hotel who truly do not collect HHonors points or pay attention to hotel programs, which can be quite a few, so don't consider it totally worthless.

Marriott will give away 15 qualifying nights (which is instant Silver) and Starwood will give away "Preferred Plus". Both are roughly similar in stature to HH Silver, but both of those credit cards have annual fees.

Second question: which credit card to use as a primary-spend card? Since your goal is int'l high category stays, I'd probably stick with the HH Amex and pursue the AXON. You can augment your HH account with mileage conversions that actually aren't a horrible deal. Figure with signup bonuses, stay bonuses, 3 pts/$ on everyday spending, points from the stays themselves, and maybe when you get close a just-in-time mileage conversion - getting those four nights (or even 6 nts for 175k) shouldn't be out of the realm of possibility.

The counterpoint is that most FT'ers agree that 1 SPG is worth more than 3 HH. But it's a slower grind there without a lot of CC spending or a lot of hotel stays. Plus there's no efficient way to jack up your SPG balance using air miles like there is with HH.

If your goal were faster, smaller weekend awards at midscale properties, SPG would have a huge advantage as you can find some decent Sheratons for 3,000 points a night. But with the goal being the top hotels internationally, HH will get you up to the 4- or 6-night award a lot faster than SPG.

Priority Club points never expire, for that reason I like their program for the infrequent traveler. The other advantage with PC is they tend to have properties in more locations than some of the other chains. The downside to their program is the elite benefits can be hit or miss and there are some dingy Holiday Inns where you would least expect it.

there are some dingy Holiday Inns where you would least expect it.

Honestly, I can't think of anywhere I wouldn't expect a dingy Holiday Inn. :D

the annual fee eliminates its usefulness to me as I won't spend enough in a year on it to even make one of those transfers. ... mattress runs but that could also be an option if they were local

Confused. You will not consider a card with a $30 annual fee, but would consider paying to stay in a hotel strictly to earn points or status?

Confused. You will not consider a card with a $30 annual fee, but would consider paying to stay in a hotel strictly to earn points or status?

Sounds like the Hilton stays would be for business - and for all we know not incrementally more expensive than similar quality non-HH properties nearby.

That said, the SPG Amex comes with enough sign-up goodies to offset several years' worth of annual fees. 10k-12k Starpoints is worth at least $300 to most people. I agree that the $30 annual fee shouldn't be what drives the decision.

hate to say it, but if this nor1 deal expands Hilton might be a good choice. No need for stays or loyalty. Just buy a UG w/lounge access for 15 bucks whenever you stay.

Keep in mind you can also achieve Gold status by spending $20,000 on your Hilton Amex card.

I would not worry about the hotel program. I would worry more about the credit card, since that is how you will earn most of your points. Having low status most will not help you much no matter who it is. So you are down to the SPG amex, HHonors amex/ visa & Marriott Visa. Each card has good and bad to it. The second question is were are you going to use your points? Pick the place and if the credit cards are equal choose that program.

I would not worry about the hotel program. I would worry more about the credit card, since that is how you will earn most of your points. Having low status most will not help you much no matter who it is. So you are down to the SPG amex, HHonors amex/ visa & Marriott Visa. Each card has good and bad to it. The second question is were are you going to use your points? Pick the place and if the credit cards are equal choose that program.

Honestly, I'd recommend that anyone get all three cards (HH & SPG Amex, Marriott Visa). HH Amex is free, SPG Amex comes with a big signup bonus, and MR Visa comes with a big signup bonus plus another Cat 5 Free Night every time you pay the $65 annual fee - well worth it. Eventually you can dump SPG Amex if you truly don't want to accrue additional Starpoints.

I have to agree that Priority Club is a good choice for an infrequent traveller. The points never expire, they offer a promotion almost every day of the year (4th Quarter is usually double points or miles, 1st Quarter this year is 3000 bonus points for every third stay), and making gold is pretty easy which earns a few bonus points.

Keep in mind you can also achieve Gold status by spending $20,000 on your Hilton Amex card.

This is what we've done. We pay in full every month, so I have no idea if the interest rates are competitive. I actually do travel frequently on business but can't always stay at Hilton properties. The bulk of the points in the account come from credit card spending and we have a wonderful time using them for stays in Hilton properties in Europe.

Given that Silvers are eligible for the VIP-only rewards just as Golds and Diamonds are, I fail to see how Silver "gives nothing."

Yes, the benefits are less in comparison to the other tiers, but saying that there are no benefits is quite hyperbolic.

Mike

Hi,

Also Silver gives you free gym access ( useful at the Las Vegas hilton where the fee is $17 per day approx)

Regards

TBS

I have no idea if the interest rates are competitive.

They aren't, but that's okay - travel rewards cards rarely have good interest rates. Even when they have a 0% teaser upfront, it kind of defeats the travel-rewards purpose, because as soon as you load the 0% teaser money up, you can't use the card for the duration of the teaser period.

So...my stash of 0% interest cards is completely separate from my stash of travel cards. Of course, you never want to carry a balance on a travel rewards card...yikes!! :eek:

Honestly, I can't think of anywhere I wouldn't expect a dingy Holiday Inn. :D

Phuket Patong Beach is pretty nice.

Hilton gives you nice earning opportunities with other channels. My wife and I both earn from MyPoints and E-Rewards. The other nice thing is that I can use a cerificate from her account which gets no stays ever and stay under my Diamond number (and get benefits and stay credits).

Another nice thing is the Opportunity Level Hamptons. Between those and Point Stretchers, she and I did a pre-Christmas trip and stayed 5 nights in New England for a little over 40k points. The opportunity level properties may be a bit out of the way, but if you have a car they are totally worth it.

Just as a redux, I ended up finally applying for the AmEx HHonors card. I'm assuming I'll be approved based on my last personal review of my credit report.

The offer was 10,000 point for first purchase and an additional 15,000 points for spending $5,000 in the first 5 months plus 2,500 points per stay for the first 4 stays. I already have two stays booked to date although I'm not convinced yet I'm willing to make Hilton my primary chain just yet. The pay-to-play for internet really rubs me the wrong way particularly since you can just go to a cheaper property and get it for free.

If I get all of the sign-up bonuses I'll be about half way to the 125,000 Axon reward for Cat 5/6. Then it'll a question of seeing if I want to shuffle my spend onto this card to get the rest of the way there.

...The pay-to-play for internet really rubs me the wrong way particularly since you can just go to a cheaper property and get it for free....
I don't care to pay for the internet access either and have done this many times. One clarification is that it varies by property whether the access is complimentary. For example, I've stayed at two Doubletrees and two Hiltons in the last two weeks, and access has been free at all of them.

I seldom have a choice of where I am going to stay on business. I keep HH and Priority Club going as I find that even at a meager status level I usually get a better room than non-members.

Just had that happen at a Doubletree in Austin where I had a really nice courtyard room and friends who are not members got a much smaller room that looked out on I-35. Internet was not free outside of the lobby area. That bugs me!

I have to agree that Priority Club is a good choice for an infrequent traveller. The points never expire, they offer a promotion almost every day of the year (4th Quarter is usually double points or miles, 1st Quarter this year is 3000 bonus points for every third stay), and making gold is pretty easy which earns a few bonus points.

Do HH or SPG points expire? I thought they don't.

Do HH or SPG points expire? I thought they don't.I don't know about SPG, but HH points may expire after only 12 months of no account activity.

Hilton is fairly strict about the 12 month rule. I remember getting an email from them several years ago warning me that they would close my account down unless I generated some activity before a certain date.

My analysis for me was that Hilton worked the best for me. I accrue most of my points on my CC. Having been Gold at both SPG and HH, I find the HH benefits much superior at that level. And while it seems unquestioned that SPG has the best and largest number of top tier hotels, I find that I accrue enough points for Cat 6 rewards as fast or faster than I would accrue enough points for a high category hotel award at SPG.

I would get a HH Amex card and charge all possble charges to it, pay it off every month and 12 months (or less) from now, with a few HH stays, you may be looking out at the Rome skyline from the balcony of the executive lounge at the Hilton Cavalieri on a sweet 4 nite AXON stay.

I'm not a huge spended in general but use my HH AMEX for as much as I possibly can and pay it off... usually ends up being around $2k per month, enough for gauranteeing Gold (though I earn it anyway, almost to Diamond) as well as generating around 8,000 points per month (16,000 the month of our last vacation). With business travel averaging around 2 trips and 4-5 nights per month, I have built up around 150,000 points in the last 5 months. Making 125,000 for an AXON shouldn't be all that hard, and possible on card use alone if you spend around $2500/month for a year (which would also gaurantee Gold for the stays you do have and award stays).

After much wrangling with AmEx I finally have the card in hand. I'm actually a bit upset with their entire application process. First it took them weeks to send me an employment verification letter which the office manager got a call about and ended up having to call AmEx back (what a royal pain). Then the address verification. Then they claimed they were overnighting the card to me so I could use it on my Hawaii stay.

Needless to stay I came back from my Hawaii stay which ended up being charged to my Chase card and I had to request them to send the card to me yet again. This is not a good way to start a business relationship all around. Basically I got shafted out of a stay credit. While I will still make the fast track 4 stays by February the last stay could have been as a Gold already.

I haven't decided yet whether I want to talk to AmEx about the handling of my application and what they're willing offer. Currently I'm debating putting all of my spending on the card for a few months and seeing how the points add up and whether these can be turned into something more substantial than 1.25%-5% cash back. But I'm not very happy with the way things were handled and I do not appreciate being jerked around.

This card may yet end up at the bottom of the stack in my drawer.