The Quarter 1 hotel promotions are now up and running. In general, they are not hugely exciting but, of course, if you are doing the stays anyway then you are crazy not to register for them.
I discussed the Starwood one here. (Posts on the Marriott and Priority Club promotions will follow in the next couple of days.) The downside with Starwood is that you need to do 4 nights during the promotion period before you get anything. The Hilton promotions kicks in from your first night.
Hilton’s offering is called ‘Double Your HHonors’. Give them credit for simplicity – it offers you either double base points or double base airline miles, depending on how you choose to earn in the Hilton programme.
The additional 5 points per $1 for selecting ‘all points’ are not doubled. You would therefore receive 25 points per $1 (the 10 base points are doubled, the 5 ‘all points’ bonus is not) instead of the usual 15. Any elite status bonus you are entitled to will also not be doubled.
It runs from January 7th to March 31st. There is a long list of non-participating hotels, unfortunately, which can be found here.
You need to register for this promotion by visiting this site. Note that once you have selected ‘double points’ or ‘double miles’ you cannot change your decision.
If you do a lot of short Hilton stays, Virgin Flying Club is now the most attractive airline partner as you earn 1,000 Virgin miles per stay (2,000 under this promotion) at most Hilton brands compared to 500 with all of the other airline partners.
If you do a lot of long Hilton stays, Finnair may be worth a look. You earn 500 miles per night with most of the Hilton brands, doubled to 1,000 miles per night with this promotion. There is a 5-night maximum per stay. (For very long, very expensive stays, switch to earning ‘points and variable miles’ which gets you 1 mile per $1 spent.) Remember that Finnair is a member of oneworld, like BA, so you can redeem your Finnair miles for BA flights.
If you want Avios, do NOT collect via British Airways as you only get 500 per stay (1,000 with this promotion) for most brands. Iberia, on the other hand, offers 750 miles per stay (1,500 with this promotion). You can move your Iberia Plus Avios to BA via ‘Combine my Avios’ online.
Tried to register for this, but unfortunately it says I’m not eligible to register online and gives a toll free US number to call, is it US only?
No, my account is UK based and I had registered fine.
Got the same message – then tried again, and it worked.
Thanks, got it now!
One interesting thing to note with Hilton recently has been the ability to book and earn ‘double stay credits’ towards your status (effectively cutting the amount of points you need for Gold/Diamond in half) – however they have been vague with the T’s and C’s.
The details I have on it from email are:
“This year make it your resolution to discover somewhere new and book an unforgettable weekend away. Save up to 40% on any weekend throughout 2013 when you book a stay by January 31, 2013, at participating hotels and resorts.* Plus, as a valued Hilton HHonors™ member you’ll earn a Double Stay Credit for each stay of two nights or more.** Book now or call 08 457 466677.† ”
“**Double Stay Credit: For eligible Any Weekend, Anywhere stays as outlined above, of at least 2 nights, and booked through Hilton Worldwide direct booking channels with valid HHonors membership number, HHonors members will receive a Double Stay Credit, which will count toward tier status only. No Bonus Points will be given. Offer not valid if other HHonors stay credit offer applies.”
I do wonder if signing up for this double points offer would invalidate the double stay credit – or vica versa. I will call them to clarify.
“(effectively cutting the amount of points you need for Gold/Diamond in half)” should read “(effectively cutting the amount of stays you need for Gold/Diamond in half)”
Quick Hilton question.
Is it worth burning 17,500points + £37 for a stay in London Docklands in late May (not a great hotel I know but handy location for O2 arena)
Even though its mid week I see the Weekend getaways Sale price in is still on offer @ £131, would earn 1310 points
I calculate that differnece to be £131-£37 =£94
= 9400p/(17500+1310)points = 0.499p per point or 0.5p/point
Of course a night would also earn 1000 Virgin FC miles on top…
Hmmm any thoughts on what to do….?
Or recommendations for cheap hotels in the area, maybe Le Club Accor?
£5 per 1,000 points is my target for Hilton, so this a decent redemption.
You know where this hotel is? Is a chunky walk from Rotherhithe tube or the boat from the Wharf, which probably stops before you will get back. The main Canary Wharf Hilton is a lot more convenient.
The Excel hotels are usually cheap if there is no trade show on, for an alternative. Or try the new HI Stratford. Still 15k Priority Club points, brand new, 2 mins from Stratford tube which is a couple of Jubilee Line stops from the 02.
Had a quick look at the Hilton Canary Wharf, standard twin room is £339, only £53 & 25,000 points, value = 1p / Hilton point, very tempted.
Even better value, mind you not that I would ever pay £339 for a standard twin!
I’d take that. Easy Jubilee Line tube back to Canary Wharf then a stroll or one stop on the DLR which drops you outside the door.
Just put in a request to burn 10k VS miles to HH to complete the booking for 2 rooms, one is a favour for a pal.
Top advice, HFP doing itself proud!
Thanks v much Raffles!
Raffles,
Do you know if the 2 night stay in the 40% off promo still counts as 2 stays for status if you have signed up for a 4 stay to Gold promo such as these…
http://www.hhonors.com/Carlson
https://hiltonhhonors.com/mvp/Home/Index
If that’s the case 2 weekend stays could get you Gold?????
Cheers
SR
My gut feeling is that it probably does, because the system isn’t sophisticated enough to stop it doing so! But you’d really need to see.
Now that Amex Plat has pulled Hilton Gold, I should do a post on the MVP promo.
BTW – Do you know if Gold status gets you a room upgrade on a reward stay.
Yes, Hilton doesn’t differentiate in my experience. (Not sure what the formal rules say.)
Hat Tip to LL..
http://loyaltylobby.com/2013/01/09/fast-track-to-hilton-hhonors-gold-status-only-four-stays-required/