Originally Posted by footballfan33
2) The goal is a week at a top level Hilton.
3) Definitely plan to shoot for overseas properties. No, I don't plan to use the points at a Hampton Inn in Boondock, Maryland, but I see nothing wrong with building towards elite status by staying at low-level Hamptons.
Have you done or even thought about the math? Why not just save the money that your spending on these "bed runs" and use that toward the vacation you really want. The whole concept of bed runs just seems dumb to me unless you are really close to getting top-level status anyway in a program that provides really good upgrades (I haven't sensed that HH is one, perhaps SPG works better) and actually plan on using that benefit many times over the following year.
If you're just an occasional guest, then gold status isn't going to do a whole lot for you, you're better off just saving the money that you would have spent at that Hampton Inn anyway and book a higher room category with a rate that includes breakfast for your personal stay.
Or do you just like to collect shiny cards in your wallet?
