What is the Value of Hilton HHonors Points?

[Viajero Joven]

Hey guys, I'm pretty green as far as HHonors goes, so please bear with me.

I want to get a sense of the value of points. I know that as with airline points, some rewards are a good deal (20K FL to Alaska) and some are not (20K LAX-PHX). I have never redeemed any of my 100,000 Hhonors points, and I am not familiar of their value. The situation I'm facing is this:

I am planning to spend tomorrow night in ABQ, then fly out for 4 days. I see I can reserve a Priceline 2* hotel in Central ABQ for about $24 with fees, and pay about $20 for 4 days of parking: total $44.

I could also use 6000 HHonors points for a Point Stretcher Opportunity reward at the Hampton Inn ABQ airport, and park at the hotel for free. 6000 points is pretty low on the scale of HHonors rewards... but then again, $44 isn't all that much.

Looking through the other Point Saver hotels, I see that the same 6000 will pay for the ONT Airport Hilton, or the Doubletree Buckhead in ATL, which seem like better values.

What would you recommend I do? What would be the best use for the points, considering I don't accumulate HHonors points fast, and may have a better use for them later?

[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 11-01-2001).]

[TrojanHorse]

I'd pay the $44 bucks

My personal opinion for the way I find the Hh points most beneficial to me is that most hotel points (regardless of chain) are most precious when used in large demoninations ie. ALON 100K in Hawaii or something like that. using them in Nickel and dime ways.. ie.. a hampton here and there isn't the most advantageous way to get the most from your points.

Just my opinion

[KathyWdrf]

I agree with TrojanHorse. The GLON, ALON, and TEEN awards, which cost 100,000 HHonors points, get you 6 consecutive nights at one of many (not all) hotels/resorts in the chain. That's how I'm aiming to use most of my points, by using these awards in high-cost cities.

It should be noted that these awards require VIP status. However, it is easy to acquire this status, either through stays (4 stays OR 10 nights in a calendar year), by signing up for certain promotions (such as EWRDC), or by getting an HHonors credit card (at least the HHonors Amex does this).

Kathy

[FlyByMike]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by KathyWdrf:
It should be noted that these awards require VIP status. However, it is easy to acquire this status, either through stays (4 stays OR 10 nights in a calendar year), by signing up for certain promotions (such as EWRDC), or by getting an HHonors credit card (at least the HHonors Amex does this).
</font>

The Citibank Visa gives Silver VIP as well. I was going to sign up for it just to get the bonus points but decided not to in case I ever lose my status and want to redeem a VIP award.

[zipual]

Good Point FlyByMike! I was thinking of getting the card just for the points for the wife and I, but it is better to wait to see if I ever lose my status, that way I can get at least Silver and still use the VIP awards.

[MileKing]

I value HHonors points at about 0.75-0.80 cents each. So the 6000 points is about $45-$48 in my view or slightly worse than paying the $44. That is even before factoring in that you would get 100 airline miles + HHonors points at the Hampton Inn.

I can understand the arguments made about using points for large denomination awards. You do get better value in most cases and also when spending internationally as opposed to domestically. However, the high denomination argument assumes your travel profile has you camped out in the same city for 6+ days. For me, my typical leisure stays in one city are 1-2 days, sometimes 3. Very rarely do I spend more than 3 days in the same place. Thus, I try to use points where the cost of paying for the hotel would be more than the value of the points, regardless of length of stay. This same approach would also suggest not using points from HHonors for airline tickets because you can almost always buy the tickets cheaper (unless it is a last minute trip).

[Viajero Joven]

Hi guys,

My travel patterns, especially for personal travel, are really as Mile King stated: 2-3 day stays here and there-- usually I'll tack on an extra weekend or a side trip onto a business trip. I have yet to go on a full blown week's vacation-- not even to Europe/Asia. All are glorified weekends.

My strategy is this: call this PM as I drive to Albuquerque to see if I can get a 50% Entertainment rate at an airport hotel-- this should hopefully push the price to below $44, and I feel I'd have a better chance keeping my car in their lot. I'm assuming that if I do priceline, even at an airport hotel, I may not be able to keep my car there like "full-paying guests." If I can get something for under $44, I'll pay, but if not, my HHonors room is still on hold until 6.

As a happy coincidence, a conference very relevant to my job is being held in Albuquerque the day after I return, so now I'll be reimbursed for gas and hotel on the return. I couldn't have planned it better if I had tried. Plus, I can accumulate more HHonors points during the additional days.

Thanks for your input. I'll be around the HHonors room more, as I was fast-tracked to Gold this year, and while I haven't gotten full benefit (missed upgrades because I didn't specifically request them), it looks like I'll make Gold for next year.

Talk to you next week.

[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 11-02-2001).]

[mritchie]

I know that most people value an airline FF mile at between 1 and 2 cents each. What is the standard value for a Hilton Hhonors point? I imagine it would be valued less, since 10000 points will get you a night at a low-end hotel, which can be bought for $60 cash. That would be about the same redemption rate as for Diners Club points. What do you think?

[drtravels]

There has been much thought on this and other points/miles but for me I give a value of $.01 to $.015 per point. I'm using 150,000 points for a 6 night stay at the Jalousie Hilton which would cost ~$300/nt or a value of $.012 per point. I value the point on usage rather than the cost of accrual but use these facts to determine if I should pay and accrue points or use points and stay free.

[pointman]

since I save Hhonors points almost exclusively for ALON awards I value them like this:
6 nights in Hawaii, 100,000 points

I figure this would cost at least $250/night or $1,500 for the stay. This would make the point value $.015

[ronamc]

I estimate my HHonors points based on what I'd pay if I didn't have an ALON or GLON handy. Specifically, if I'm traveling on my own money I'd pay $100-$150 depending upon the location. With priceline and other discount options, it is so very easy to stay below the $100 mark in many markets these days. So, with a 6 night, 100,000 point award, I equate 16,666 points to = $100 and get a per point value of $.006 ~ a little over half a cent. I find I need to be conservative in my estimate to keep things in proportion if I'm reacting to some bonus offer.

Just my 6/10 of a cent....

[This message has been edited by ronamc (edited 12-17-2001).]

[TrojanHorse]

I run along a similar thought process of Ronamc, but I am a bit closer to 1 to 1.25 cents per point as I have adjusted for peak seasons, i.e. Mardi Gras, school breaks, holidays, special events etc where the rates can be higher.. but all in all when I look at a bonus and what is it going to cost me and what is it going to give me I plug 1 to 1.25 cents per point in for a dollar valuation

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ronamc:
I estimate my HHonors points based on what I'd pay if I didn't have an ALON or GLON handy. Specifically, if I'm traveling on my own money I'd pay $100-$150 depending upon the location. With priceline and other discount options, it is so very easy to stay below the $100 mark in many markets these days. So, with a 6 night, 100,000 point award, I equate 16,666 points to = $100 and get a per point value of $.006 ~ a little over half a cent. I find I need to be conservative in my estimate to keep things in proportion if I'm reacting to some bonus offer.

Just my 6/10 of a cent....

[This message has been edited by ronamc (edited 12-17-2001).]</font>

[Bourne]

For earning purposes, I do not pay more than 0.5c per point. The calculation is based on a simple logic that 1 mile = 2 Points and my earining average is &lt;=1 c per mile.

While using them, its a different ballgame. As most of my longers stays/vacations ( 6+ Nights ) are through HGVC, HHonors points are primarily used for 1-3 day stays ( mainly last moment ).

Going by the average rate of $65-350 for a 10K-35K redemption, it averages out around .6 to 1c per point. This is highly dependent on the category of properties you normally use them at. Point stretchers shoot up these numbers by about 40%.

To pick a current example, I had an option of a 39,000 points redemption or paying up $700+ for a three nights stay in New York this christmas.

For me 39K points costed ~20K miles valued at $200 going by my earning rate. As the price is higher than $250-$300, points were the way to go.


[This message has been edited by Bourne (edited 12-17-2001).]

[MileKing]

If you will be using the points like many of the posters here, i.e. 6 nights at the same hotel, I would agree with the $0.01-$0.015 valuation. If your travel patterns are more like mine, i.e. 3 days in one place max, then the value is about $0.0075.

[emaij]

I just received an email from Hilton Honors offering 20,000 points for getting their Amex credit card. Seemed attractive until I checked out the points required for travel. The numbers are crazy.

Am I missing something?