SanDiego1K

An AXON award has the same issues of availability as any award request. And the Diamond Desk will work with the hotel just as diligently to open up space for an AXON award as they do with any other.

Rut Dog

First question, yes.

Second question, it probably relates because with $20K of HHonors Amex spending in a calendar year you get automatic gold, and a new gold benefit is no blackout dates.

BTW, have you ever seen someone truly flamed on FT, much less in the HHonors forum? Incidents are extremely rare, and dealt with appropriately when they happen. Fear not, newbie one.

vicb

Thanks Rut Dog! You understood my ? perfectly, I just got upgraded to gold via the 20k perk but didn't get if that applied in this situation. Thinking of using AXON during Easter weekend which normally would be a black out date in Florida. Appreciate the clear answer.

BluEyezNSC

I am using an AXON award for early February at the Hilton Whistler Resort and need to add an additional night. The standard rate at that time is 287 CAD and the next category up (where I'm hoping for an upgrade to) is 387 CAD. I felt I'd be better off paying for the additional night rather than using another 40,000 point award and decided to do this at the beginning of my stay. Since I am hoping for an upgrade but won't be arriving at the hotel until after midnight, it occured to my devious little mind that maybe if I booked a higher room category for the first night I would get lucky and be able to keep it for the additional 4 nights.....or.....should I listen to the more rational thoughts which tell me I would probably be wasting the additional money? Does anyone have any past experience with a situation such as this? Thanks in advance for your input!

infinityplusone

Devious mind?? On the contrary you are just trying to make the best use of available hotel property space as well as your hard earned HH points.

If it is important to you to get the upgrade, then I would do it.
If it is not that important, then I would just book the cheaper rate and hope for an upgrade.

I have not done an award / paid stay in combination before so I am not positive if they are considered seperate or not. If they are seperate, then the hotel might want to you to come down to the front desk after your 1st night (paid) and check back in again. I think, betting on the goodness of the front desk agent's heart, that you would be able to keep the same room. Even if you did not have to re-check-in, I would just ask nicely if I could keep the same room (the nicer room, if you end up paying for it) when you check-in.

Good luck!

Flying Lawyer

Book the higher category for the first night. It should work. It worked for me even with back-to-back reservations with different room categories. It is easier for them (and cheaper) to keep you in that room as to move you around.

drron

In march this year had a GLONP award at Hilton Paris.Followed this with a paid night at the lowest rate available.On checkin was upgraded to a high floor with tower views and lounge access.Was told that there was no need to come back to the desk for the last night.
Came back from our early dinner on our last(paid) night and there was another bottle of champagne,chocolates and snack with another welcome letter.Only came up as 1 stay on my honors account but what the heck!

jabez

If it were me,I'd use the points. At a penny a point it would be worth it. Even at .075,it's a good value.

BluEyezNSC

Thanks for your replies. I'm traveling with 2 children, so the extra space and mini kitchen of the upgraded room, while not necessary, would certainly be useful and appreciated! I'll probably go ahead and book the higher category room.

I tend to agree, however, I have redeemed 3 AXON awards in the last 6 months and still need to finish earning points for another AXON and an ALON for a planned trip to Hawaii next summer.

b1513

I'd use the paid night (in the better room)first and tag the reward part on at the end. I did the opposite, buying the cheaper room for the last night, and got no upgrade at all.

ziqch

I have been reading about AXON rewards on this website, I understand it is something that people who have hilton amex can use, but what is it exactly? can someone point me to right direction to look this up?
thanks

trm2

AXON rewards are 4 nights at Cat 5 or 6 for only 125,000 points. here is a link to more info.

link

vicb

If you have enough points can you book 2 rooms (same hotel, same trip) using AXON???

ziqch

[QUOTE=trm2;7217842]AXON rewards are 4 nights at Cat 5 or 6 for only 125,000 points. here is a link to more info.

thanks for the link!

troyintn

I think you can book two axons. The issues is can you get both rooms? You can only do a force for one room, so both would have to be open.