Earlier this year, I had 153,000 points in my account, and wanted to book at a property. I looked at the site, and I was looking for a 6 night stay.

The rate came up as 50,000 points per night. I thought - ok, great. I will pay for 3 nights at 50,000 = 150,000, and pay the other 3 nights in cash (or credit card).

Since I couldn't figure out how to do a partial pay online, I turned around and searched the reservation for 3 nights, and -- Uh-Oh! The rate is now 70,000 points per night.

Crap!

So I called in, and it seems there's a 5 night minimum to get the 50,000 point rate. I explained that it's all one reservation, and I'm paying the rest in cash. Reservations said there's no way they could split it between cash and points.

"Buying" the difference in points was not economical as a choice (10 pts per $1)

I ended up spending 140K points on only two nights, and checking out and going to another non-Hilton property for the remainder of the vacation.

Was there a better way to have done this? It's already done and over with now, but asking here because the FTers would know all the tips & tricks.