DISCUSSION for Hilton Honors Hotels in Dubai, United Arab Emirates {ARE}
Jul 23, 2018, 12:29 pm
#46
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, HGVC, WN RR, National Exec, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,055
I will buy points on a 100% bonus promo yearly and the resulting cost is 5 cents ($.05) per point. I generally only try to spend points when I get near that value or better, usually much better on a 5th night free stay. I have a stay next week that would either be $135/night or 30,000 points. The points would have cost me $150, so I'm paying cash and getting a bonus under the current promo. The total cost with tax is $317 for two nights, but even the elimination of taxes on the points stay isn't enough to sway me to use the points.
Jul 23, 2018, 12:45 pm
#47
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,835
Sorry, but have to step in with a little currency/math correction. Dividing any currency by points should result in a currency answer, not a percentage (My bolding). Using USD as an example, the $337/70,000 (points) = $.0048 or 4.8 cents. Not percents.
I will buy points on a 100% bonus promo yearly and the resulting cost is 5 cents ($.05) per point. I generally only try to spend points when I get near that value or better, usually much better on a 5th night free stay. I have a stay next week that would either be $135/night or 30,000 points. The points would have cost me $150, so I'm paying cash and getting a bonus under the current promo. The total cost with tax is $317 for two nights, but even the elimination of taxes on the points stay isn't enough to sway me to use the points.
I will buy points on a 100% bonus promo yearly and the resulting cost is 5 cents ($.05) per point. I generally only try to spend points when I get near that value or better, usually much better on a 5th night free stay. I have a stay next week that would either be $135/night or 30,000 points. The points would have cost me $150, so I'm paying cash and getting a bonus under the current promo. The total cost with tax is $317 for two nights, but even the elimination of taxes on the points stay isn't enough to sway me to use the points.
And in your example it's 0.48 cents per point, not 4.8 cents per point.
Jul 23, 2018, 6:48 pm
#48
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, HGVC, WN RR, National Exec, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,055
Then if we should worry about semantics, it's a ratio of currency per point, so you should say cents per point, not just cents. I was using a percentage of points in order to convert to a dollar value to compare with the price of the room.
And in your example it's 0.48 cents per point, not 4.8 cents per point.
And in your example it's 0.48 cents per point, not 4.8 cents per point.
Jul 23, 2018, 9:57 pm
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
Sorry, but have to step in with a little currency/math correction. Dividing any currency by points should result in a currency answer, not a percentage (My bolding). Using USD as an example, the $337/70,000 (points) = $.0048 or 4.8 cents. Not percents.
I will buy points on a 100% bonus promo yearly and the resulting cost is 5 cents ($.05) per point. I generally only try to spend points when I get near that value or better, usually much better on a 5th night free stay. I have a stay next week that would either be $135/night or 30,000 points. The points would have cost me $150, so I'm paying cash and getting a bonus under the current promo. The total cost with tax is $317 for two nights, but even the elimination of taxes on the points stay isn't enough to sway me to use the points.
I will buy points on a 100% bonus promo yearly and the resulting cost is 5 cents ($.05) per point. I generally only try to spend points when I get near that value or better, usually much better on a 5th night free stay. I have a stay next week that would either be $135/night or 30,000 points. The points would have cost me $150, so I'm paying cash and getting a bonus under the current promo. The total cost with tax is $317 for two nights, but even the elimination of taxes on the points stay isn't enough to sway me to use the points.
If 30,000 points costs you $150, you're pay half a cent/point, not 5 cents.
When doing the comparison of spending cash vs. points, you should also take into effect the points you earn for the cash. E.g. $100 cash earns 2000 points vs. 20,000 points is the equivalent of 22,000 points vs. $100 cash. (Calculating points gets even trickier; base and bonus are based on pre-tax spend, credit card points are on the full price paid including taxes.)
Aug 18, 2018, 11:52 am
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,619
Good thread this, really helpful. I’m going to go for GI Al Murraqabat for an upcoming visit in late September. We are three, so I will book 2 rooms and two of us will share a twin room.
Sep 1, 2018, 10:18 am
#53
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Japan
Posts: 5,577
I don’t want to do the Waldorf Astoria for 16 hours in Dubai. If I was there for two days I would probably stay there. But since it’s so remotely located, and such a pain to get to, for only 16 hours and to show my friend the city I think the Conrad is best. They’ve already upgraded us to the executive level. Does anybody have any recommendations on rooms to request, and what views you should ask for at the Conrad? Near the elevator? Away?
Sep 1, 2018, 11:36 am
#54
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Manchester, UK
Programs: Emirates Skywards (Gold), Hilton (Diamond), Radisson (Gold)
Posts: 370
Sep 1, 2018, 12:11 pm
#55
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Japan
Posts: 5,577
Sep 1, 2018, 12:50 pm
#56
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
I actually did not end up using my free night certificate. The rate went down to $137 ($167 with taxes). Then I had a $75 coupon, so I just ended up paying about $96 for the lowest rate. I asked if I could be upgraded before check-in before booking via email, and they put me in a two bed deluxe suite with lounge access. Pretty generous.
As far as upgrades go I will usually email the property beforehand and ask if they can secure me an upgrade before check-in. If you happen to make contact with someone high up on the totem poll, they’ll usually upgrade you.
As far as getting to the Conrad from DXB is it as easy as just taking the red line tram to the World Trade Centre?
As far as upgrades go I will usually email the property beforehand and ask if they can secure me an upgrade before check-in. If you happen to make contact with someone high up on the totem poll, they’ll usually upgrade you.
As far as getting to the Conrad from DXB is it as easy as just taking the red line tram to the World Trade Centre?
Sep 1, 2018, 1:08 pm
#57
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
This hotel is the subject of a lot of debate and the general consensus is that it isn't the world-class property that it once was, but for what you're paying, I think it'll fit the bill nicely.
Sep 1, 2018, 1:18 pm
#58
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
I feel like it’s hard to be seen in such a positive light in Dubai with the amount of luxurious hotels and clubs. The fact that it’s a luxury resort, in the center of town, with a fast and convenient way to get there from the airport makes it a great luxury hotel to stay at for a quick overnight. In addition to the lounge and other amenities I’ve read about around the hotel, it seems like a perfectly acceptable luxury hotel. I’ll be curious when I get there to see what people’s complaints are. I’ve stayed at the St. Regis before, and I understand the whole luxurious mindset, and the high bar people set for Dubai. It’s hard to please everyone who has a different idea of what “luxurious” means to them in that city.
Sep 1, 2018, 6:34 pm
#60
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
Ill report back what I think about the Conrad compared to the other properties I have stayed at out there (which isn’t many having a residence there).
Last edited by NWplatinum; Sep 1, 2018 at 6:40 pm