Changing reward redemption rates
Sep 6, 2018, 6:27 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 28
Changing reward redemption rates
Hello,
I am in the process of planning a trip that will include several hotel stays. The trip is in 7 months. In planning for this trip, I was monitoring Hilton reward redemption rates for certain properties. A couple of days ago, the rate went from 60,000 points per night to 190,000 for the same dates. That is a dramatic shift and as I am planning on earning rewards to pay for these hotels, a shift like this will affect whether or not I stat at the property. I don't want to waste time trying to save up Hilton points if the rate remains this high.
Does Hilton do this often?
Do the rates often come back down?
any advice on how to deal with these kind of variables when trying to stay at a Hilton?
Thank you in advanceadvance.
I am in the process of planning a trip that will include several hotel stays. The trip is in 7 months. In planning for this trip, I was monitoring Hilton reward redemption rates for certain properties. A couple of days ago, the rate went from 60,000 points per night to 190,000 for the same dates. That is a dramatic shift and as I am planning on earning rewards to pay for these hotels, a shift like this will affect whether or not I stat at the property. I don't want to waste time trying to save up Hilton points if the rate remains this high.
Does Hilton do this often?
Do the rates often come back down?
any advice on how to deal with these kind of variables when trying to stay at a Hilton?
Thank you in advanceadvance.
Sep 6, 2018, 7:04 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Birmingham, UK
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Virgin Gold
Posts: 240
It sounds more like the room type that you were looking at has now sold out and only premium room rewards remain. Try messing about with other dates at the hotel to see if this is the case
Sep 6, 2018, 10:42 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 28
Yeah, I called Hilton and that is what they said. They weren't really willing to say whether not these rates become available again. I tried changing the dates and it did not seem to really make a difference...
Sep 6, 2018, 11:29 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: Hilton credit card Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,652
Yes, when room type(s) for the standard award are sold out for the night, premium awards are available for the other room types.
Maybe, but I would not expect it.
When you see the room available at a points cost that you are willing to pay, book it. Rooms booked with points are cancellable free of charge in most cases. Of course, if you do not have the points in hand, you are out of luck if the points cost changes, since you can't book it unless you have the points.
It is just like an airline fare. Just because it is available today for $100 (or 60000 points) does not mean that it will be available tomorrow for $100 (or 60000 points).
Given your situation and the fact that the standard rooms are sold out seven months in advance, I would look elsewhere. Do not expect to save up points and then make your reservation shortly before the stay.
Maybe, but I would not expect it.
It is just like an airline fare. Just because it is available today for $100 (or 60000 points) does not mean that it will be available tomorrow for $100 (or 60000 points).
Given your situation and the fact that the standard rooms are sold out seven months in advance, I would look elsewhere. Do not expect to save up points and then make your reservation shortly before the stay.
Last edited by jbeckett; Sep 6, 2018 at 11:40 am
Sep 6, 2018, 12:17 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
The 60000 rate will probably return when someone else cancels a room they have booked for that date. How likely that is, only the hotel knows.
If you are looking at the paid rates, they have probably jumped from something like $250 to $500 at the same time as the points cost went up.
If you are looking at the paid rates, they have probably jumped from something like $250 to $500 at the same time as the points cost went up.
Sep 7, 2018, 9:48 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Window Seat
Programs: National Executive, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Visitor
Posts: 2,495
The points go up and down steadily now with this program. If you see a property and you are okay with the number of points, book it. If you were okay with 60,000 points then you needed to book it.
You also need to be careful with rebooking if the points cost falls. Sometimes when you cancel and try to rebook, for some reason, your cancellation does not become immediately available and then you are in a bit of a lost situation.
You also need to be careful with rebooking if the points cost falls. Sometimes when you cancel and try to rebook, for some reason, your cancellation does not become immediately available and then you are in a bit of a lost situation.
Sep 7, 2018, 9:53 am
#8
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,570
It's almost certain that someone snagged the last standard room and now you're just seeing premium rooms.
Premium rooms at Hilton can be a total joke - e.g., Standard room 60,000 points, Deluxe room that's 20 sq ft larger 190,000 points. It's been that way for a few years now.
The latest incarnation of the program also has dynamic pricing on the standard rooms, but that's not what you're seeing here on the 60k vs 190k availability.
Premium rooms at Hilton can be a total joke - e.g., Standard room 60,000 points, Deluxe room that's 20 sq ft larger 190,000 points. It's been that way for a few years now.
The latest incarnation of the program also has dynamic pricing on the standard rooms, but that's not what you're seeing here on the 60k vs 190k availability.
Sep 7, 2018, 10:57 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,837
You are looking for a room 7 months out so there is a very good chance that standard redemption will be available again. Availability changes all the time, so check availability often!
Sep 7, 2018, 1:11 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 28
Sep 7, 2018, 1:14 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 28
Yes, when room type(s) for the standard award are sold out for the night, premium awards are available for the other room types.
Maybe, but I would not expect it.
When you see the room available at a points cost that you are willing to pay, book it. Rooms booked with points are cancellable free of charge in most cases. Of course, if you do not have the points in hand, you are out of luck if the points cost changes, since you can't book it unless you have the points.
It is just like an airline fare. Just because it is available today for $100 (or 60000 points) does not mean that it will be available tomorrow for $100 (or 60000 points).
Given your situation and the fact that the standard rooms are sold out seven months in advance, I would look elsewhere. Do not expect to save up points and then make your reservation shortly before the stay.
Maybe, but I would not expect it.
When you see the room available at a points cost that you are willing to pay, book it. Rooms booked with points are cancellable free of charge in most cases. Of course, if you do not have the points in hand, you are out of luck if the points cost changes, since you can't book it unless you have the points.
It is just like an airline fare. Just because it is available today for $100 (or 60000 points) does not mean that it will be available tomorrow for $100 (or 60000 points).
Given your situation and the fact that the standard rooms are sold out seven months in advance, I would look elsewhere. Do not expect to save up points and then make your reservation shortly before the stay.
I am going to monitor and look at alternatives until I am ready to book. Great information. Thank you!
Sep 7, 2018, 2:39 pm
#12
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Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
What are the dates and property? Outside of a few aspirational vacations I couldn't tell you the last time I booked anything 7 mos in advance 
. Unless we're talking about a room during the Super Bowl or some other time of extraordinary demand I'd say it's highly likely that a standard room/award will pop back up between now and then.
. Unless we're talking about a room during the Super Bowl or some other time of extraordinary demand I'd say it's highly likely that a standard room/award will pop back up between now and then.
Sep 7, 2018, 3:36 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 28
What are the dates and property? Outside of a few aspirational vacations I couldn't tell you the last time I booked anything 7 mos in advance . Unless we're talking about a room during the Super Bowl or some other time of extraordinary demand I'd say it's highly likely that a standard room/award will pop back up between now and then.
. Unless we're talking about a room during the Super Bowl or some other time of extraordinary demand I'd say it's highly likely that a standard room/award will pop back up between now and then.
Sep 7, 2018, 3:50 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,043
Hilton Honors is changing from "here's how many points you need to target" to "pay what we tell you to".
As a result, it's not really a programme for saving up points for something aspirational.
Keep in mind that popular hotels in Japan in April will fill up far earlier than you expect. If you don't have the points yet you are going to struggle. Book some flexible rate hotel stays as a placeholder.
As a result, it's not really a programme for saving up points for something aspirational.
Keep in mind that popular hotels in Japan in April will fill up far earlier than you expect. If you don't have the points yet you are going to struggle. Book some flexible rate hotel stays as a placeholder.
Sep 9, 2018, 5:32 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 28
Hilton Honors is changing from "here's how many points you need to target" to "pay what we tell you to".
As a result, it's not really a programme for saving up points for something aspirational.
Keep in mind that popular hotels in Japan in April will fill up far earlier than you expect. If you don't have the points yet you are going to struggle. Book some flexible rate hotel stays as a placeholder.
As a result, it's not really a programme for saving up points for something aspirational.
Keep in mind that popular hotels in Japan in April will fill up far earlier than you expect. If you don't have the points yet you are going to struggle. Book some flexible rate hotel stays as a placeholder.