airbnb vs Hilton HHonors Diamond status
#1
airbnb vs Hilton HHonors Diamond status
In another thread, I lamented that I would probably never see diamond again because my travels are no longer subsidized by an employer, and that I had never been overseas as a diamond. Another member suggested that achieving status on my own is reasonably doable, and that got me thinking.
Two separate sources have strongly recommended airbnb to me. I've never used it, but expect to use it for a future trip to Europe, which will probably be at least 75 days and possibly longer. A small percentage of my stays would be only one night, with well over half the nights in stays of a week or longer.
How would you compare airbnb to staying in a hotel (Hilton, presumably, in this forum) as a diamond for a string of nights, say 20? 10? 4? What is the length of stay where it becomes better to go with airbnb rather than a hotel if one has status? if one does not have status? How much effort is it worth to achieve status for a European vacation?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Two separate sources have strongly recommended airbnb to me. I've never used it, but expect to use it for a future trip to Europe, which will probably be at least 75 days and possibly longer. A small percentage of my stays would be only one night, with well over half the nights in stays of a week or longer.
How would you compare airbnb to staying in a hotel (Hilton, presumably, in this forum) as a diamond for a string of nights, say 20? 10? 4? What is the length of stay where it becomes better to go with airbnb rather than a hotel if one has status? if one does not have status? How much effort is it worth to achieve status for a European vacation?
Thanks for your thoughts.
#2
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: 13,040
It depends on whether you like hotels or not. I personally find airbnb to be a nightmare. Hosts not keeping their calendars up to date (so you apply for a stay only to be told it's not available after all). You can't really change dates after booking. Having to meet up to collect keys at a time convenient to the host and not yourself. Only getting one set of keys, which is a pain if you are with a partner and want to separately come and go as you please.
But of course I love living in hotels. Breakfast made, gym and pool right there. With a lounge you have drinks, snacks, etc. And once you add in the value of points, cashback portals, etc. it can be hard to find a price difference either. Keeping status is not really all that hard if you make a conscious effort to do so.
But of course I love living in hotels. Breakfast made, gym and pool right there. With a lounge you have drinks, snacks, etc. And once you add in the value of points, cashback portals, etc. it can be hard to find a price difference either. Keeping status is not really all that hard if you make a conscious effort to do so.
#3
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: Hilton credit card Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,651
You can get HH gold (providing a free breakfast, and on occasion lounge access) with a credit card for less than $100. If the free breakfast is meaningful to you and you'll stay at Hilton for 4 or 5 nights of your trip, I'd get the credit card gold.
I'm like craigthemif. I want the convenience of the hotel - a free breakfast (usually a buffet outside of the U.S.) with HH gold, check in and out when I like, usually a convenient location for public transportation and access to the city.
I'm like craigthemif. I want the convenience of the hotel - a free breakfast (usually a buffet outside of the U.S.) with HH gold, check in and out when I like, usually a convenient location for public transportation and access to the city.
#4
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
Well since this is my fault, I will chime in.
In my opinion it is really about consistency vs. risk vs. reward. With international chain hotels you are mostly getting consistency. Of beds, toiletries, service more or less, loyalty program, etc. You can get a cheeseburger at a Hilton anywhere on earth. And you'll be taken care of - housekeeping, room service, whatever you want. But you pay for it, and a lot of people will say that it is sterile or homogenized.
With airbnb there is a chance for risk. The poster above touched on that. There is also the opportunity, though, for more unique experiences. If you are into living like a local then getting a place in a residential neighborhood or building is going to give you more insight. A big chain can't just drop a 500-room property between two grandma's houses in a quiet neighborhood with local cafes and markets. There's also the chance to get properties that are just flat-out more impressive: if you're at the price point of a suite in a chain hotel, you can probably get a very nice flat or house on airbnb.
The middle ground, especially in Europe, is to go with independent hotels or guest houses. They'll be priced below most global chains and above a comparable room on airbnb, but you'll be dealing with a real innkeeper, and most will come with breakfast and often the option for half or full board. You can also find properties with some real character, and there can be deals to be had as well. This is what my folks (recent retirees who have started traveling to Europe a couple times a year) do and they are really happy with it.
So really you just need to weigh what you value the most. If you're not earning points off of an employer's spend then you need to follow your own wallet and travel patterns, coupled with an idea of your risk tolerance. Generally speaking, though, if you go the non-chain route in a lot of places you can save enough to have quite a good time with the difference.
In my opinion it is really about consistency vs. risk vs. reward. With international chain hotels you are mostly getting consistency. Of beds, toiletries, service more or less, loyalty program, etc. You can get a cheeseburger at a Hilton anywhere on earth. And you'll be taken care of - housekeeping, room service, whatever you want. But you pay for it, and a lot of people will say that it is sterile or homogenized.
With airbnb there is a chance for risk. The poster above touched on that. There is also the opportunity, though, for more unique experiences. If you are into living like a local then getting a place in a residential neighborhood or building is going to give you more insight. A big chain can't just drop a 500-room property between two grandma's houses in a quiet neighborhood with local cafes and markets. There's also the chance to get properties that are just flat-out more impressive: if you're at the price point of a suite in a chain hotel, you can probably get a very nice flat or house on airbnb.
The middle ground, especially in Europe, is to go with independent hotels or guest houses. They'll be priced below most global chains and above a comparable room on airbnb, but you'll be dealing with a real innkeeper, and most will come with breakfast and often the option for half or full board. You can also find properties with some real character, and there can be deals to be had as well. This is what my folks (recent retirees who have started traveling to Europe a couple times a year) do and they are really happy with it.
So really you just need to weigh what you value the most. If you're not earning points off of an employer's spend then you need to follow your own wallet and travel patterns, coupled with an idea of your risk tolerance. Generally speaking, though, if you go the non-chain route in a lot of places you can save enough to have quite a good time with the difference.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Trying to parse you inquiry, I would start with my own question:
How do you think HHonors status would materially change your experience on vacation?
If you think top status in mainstream programs from SPG/Hilton/Marriott is going to yield baths of Krug and rose petals strewn everywhere you walk, try again.
Major hotels vs. airbnb isn't apples and oranges. It's kiwi fruit vs. receiving hitches.
How do you think HHonors status would materially change your experience on vacation?
If you think top status in mainstream programs from SPG/Hilton/Marriott is going to yield baths of Krug and rose petals strewn everywhere you walk, try again.
Major hotels vs. airbnb isn't apples and oranges. It's kiwi fruit vs. receiving hitches.
#7
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: 14.66m NbW of PHL
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 848
Interesting thread.
I use both, and generally find that a stay of more than 5 nights makes me more likely to go with AirBnb.
I strongly recommend AirBnb, having used it many times and haven't had anything other than fantastic experience with properties and hosts. A lot of it is researching before booking. Check the host out fully, read the reviews in detail, only go with a host with 10+ reviews, etc.
Generally I feel for a longer stay I prefer the freedom of being in an apartment with a kitchen and home comforts, so I can make my own meals rather than ordering up room service, or going to a restaurant, which gets a) expensive and b) a little boring (on your own) after a few nights.
I use both, and generally find that a stay of more than 5 nights makes me more likely to go with AirBnb.
I strongly recommend AirBnb, having used it many times and haven't had anything other than fantastic experience with properties and hosts. A lot of it is researching before booking. Check the host out fully, read the reviews in detail, only go with a host with 10+ reviews, etc.
Generally I feel for a longer stay I prefer the freedom of being in an apartment with a kitchen and home comforts, so I can make my own meals rather than ordering up room service, or going to a restaurant, which gets a) expensive and b) a little boring (on your own) after a few nights.
#8
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL Silver, AS MVP, UA Silver, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,883
I'd first do the math of the total cost difference, including the value of all earned points, breakfast, etc and see what the true delta is. If it's close (within $20/night, for example) I'd probably lean towards Hilton vs. AirBNB... but I suspect, in many locations, the delta will be much greater. You may want to consider a mixed approach depending on the $ delta, length of stay, and available properties in each given location. There are likely to be times along the way that you'll be glad to have a few nights at a hotel after a long residential stay, and vice versa.
I wouldn't worry all that much about acquiring Diamond UNLESS you're really going after suite upgrades, and then you'd need to earn it ahead of your trip or early on in your trip to take advantage later. Gold will get you a long way and, as others have mentioned, is easy to acquire from a CC, challenge, etc.
I wouldn't worry all that much about acquiring Diamond UNLESS you're really going after suite upgrades, and then you'd need to earn it ahead of your trip or early on in your trip to take advantage later. Gold will get you a long way and, as others have mentioned, is easy to acquire from a CC, challenge, etc.
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,446
Depends in part on the city. In Paris, for example, where hotels are horribly overpriced, an apartment rental is in most respects a much better call IMO. Although I'm not sure airbnb is the best source for a Paris rental.
#10
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Australia
Programs: QFF LTG , HHD
Posts: 1,207
Last edited by turtlemichael; Apr 8, 2016 at 7:27 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AA LifeTime PLT (2.982 MM, But 3MM+ Total), HHonors GOLD, IHG AMB
Posts: 787
Your money is best with Hilton. ^
#12
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Springfield,MO,USA
Programs: UA 1K MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,604
I travel alone for work or with my wife. I like hotels. If I had a larger family I would consider renting a house or apartment , not necessarily through AirBNB. I value the consistency of hotels and don't need the space of a whole house or apartment. I am not a B&B type of person that wants to socialize with professional B&B hosts (no offense to those who do or to B&B proprietors) let alone renting a room in someone's private house. Its a matter of preference.
You can always try it and see if you like it. If not, it's pretty easy to get a credit card with HH Gold or find a Taste of Gold challenge.
You can always try it and see if you like it. If not, it's pretty easy to get a credit card with HH Gold or find a Taste of Gold challenge.
#13
Thank you for your thoughts.
Breakfast at no extra cost is meaningful to me. My travel companion has Gold status by credit card, so that base is covered.
I had the impression that Gold status did not always provide breakfast, especially in Europe. Did I misunderstand that? Breakfast is worth more to me than a suite upgrade, but is breakfast always included even without lounge access? Put another way, are there some hotels where the complimentary breakfast is only in the lounge, where access is not assured by Gold status?
That was the way I was leaning, but without having a number for the dividing line between an apartment from AirBnB and a hotel. On the contemplated trip, I expect to be at least three weeks in at least one city, and I do intend to look for an apartment in such a case. Recommended alternatives to AirBnB are welcome.
Thanks again for your insights.
I use both, and generally find that a stay of more than 5 nights makes me more likely to go with AirBnb.
...
Generally I feel for a longer stay I prefer the freedom of being in an apartment with a kitchen and home comforts, so I can make my own meals rather than ordering up room service, or going to a restaurant, which gets a) expensive and b) a little boring (on your own) after a few nights.
...
Generally I feel for a longer stay I prefer the freedom of being in an apartment with a kitchen and home comforts, so I can make my own meals rather than ordering up room service, or going to a restaurant, which gets a) expensive and b) a little boring (on your own) after a few nights.
Thanks again for your insights.
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,446
In Paris, All Paris Apartments.
I partly blame the hotels for charging such high prices for such crappy products.
#15
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: Hilton credit card Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,651
There is a sticky thread for breakfasts with Gold/Diamond, have a look at the wiki in that thread.
Last edited by jbeckett; Apr 9, 2016 at 11:42 am