Dubai – the place where your Hilton HHonors points do have some value
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Since the 2013 devaluation, the value of a Hilton HHonors points – when used for a premium property – has fallen to around 0.3p.
It is, to put it mildly, not great. You can do better than this if you can find a hotel offering ‘cash and points’ (where you often get nearer 0.5p per point) or for a low-scale property (where you can get nearer 0.75p at times) but neither of these are common scenarios.
Out in Dubai last week, however, I was reminded that this is one part of the world where you can still get a deal.
Whilst Dubai has many world-class beach hotels, the best ones are not part of the major reward schemes. The Starwood options are a little dated, as is the main Hilton Jumeirah resort. IHG does not have any beachfront hotels.
The stand-out option from one of the major chains is the Waldorf-Astoria on the Palm, which opened a couple of years ago. This is a luxury beach resort.
Dubai beach hotels can be eye-wateringly expensive at peak times, which are usually over UK school holidays. Let’s take a look at the Waldorf-Astoria Dubai in the week before Easter next year:
Daily rate (fully prepaid, no refunds, including tax): Dh 2,184 = £388
Daily rate (cancellable, as a redemption would be, including tax): Dh 3,000 = £533
Hilton HHonors ‘cash and points’: 32,000 points per night + Dh 600 (£106) inc tax
Hilton HHonors ‘all points’: 80,000 points per night
Using the refundable rate as the basis of the calculation, you would be getting:
1.33p per Hilton point based on ‘cash and points’
0.66p per Hilton point based on ‘all points’
Even 0.66p is, in my book, an excellent deal for a Hilton HHonors redemption. Getting 1.33p is exceptional. Remember, for example, that American Express Membership Rewards points convert at 1:2 into Hilton HHonors – this would mean you were getting 2.66p per Amex point!
Even a conversion from Virgin Flying Club into Hilton looks good value at 2:3 when you are getting this sort of return.
It is worth noting that the smallest room at the Waldorf-Astoria in Dubai is a chunky 55 square metres, as you can see in the image above, although maximum occupancy is 3 people.
The only downside of redeeming for Waldorf-Astoria hotels is that you do not get free breakfast if you have Hilton HHonors Gold status. As this is a resort, with no walkable alternatives, you will probably have to pay up. If you are Hilton Diamond, recent reports suggest that they have recently started giving lounge access which would include the lounge breakfast plus all-day snacks.
How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (October 2024)
There are various ways of earning Hilton Honors points from UK credit and debit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.
There are two dedicated Hilton Honors debit cards. These are especially attractive when spending abroad due to the 0% or 0.5% FX fee, depending on card.
You also receive FREE Hilton Honors status for as long as you hold the debit cards – Gold status with the Plus card and Silver status with the basic card. This is a great reason to apply even if you rarely use it.
We reviewed the Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card here and the Hilton Honors Debit Card here.
You can apply for either card here.
NEW: Hilton Honors Plus Debit
12,000 bonus points (special offer), Hilton Gold status and NO FX fees Read our full review
NEW: Hilton Honors Debit
3,500 bonus points (special offer), Hilton Silver status and 0.5% FX fees Read our full review
There is another way of getting Hilton Honors status, and earning Hilton Honors points, from a payment card.
Holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as they hold the card. It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.
We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.
The Platinum Card from American Express
50,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review
You can also earn Hilton Honors points indirectly with:
- American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
- American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)
and for small business owners:
- American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
- American Express Business Platinum (40,000 bonus Amex points)
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 22nd October 2024, the bonus on American Express Business Platinum is increased to up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points, worth 80,000 Avios. You will receive 8 points per £1 spent for the first three months, on up to £10,000 of spending. Click here to read our full card review. Click here to apply.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 22nd October 2024, the bonus on American Express Business Gold is increased to up to 40,000 Membership Rewards points, worth 40,000 Avios. You will receive 4 points per £1 spent for the first three months, on up to £10,000 of spending. The card is FREE for your first year. Click here to read our full card review. Click here to apply.
The conversion rate from American Express to Hilton points is 1:2.
(Want to earn more hotel points? Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)
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