-
Hi all, looking for some advice please. I’ve been working on airline miles for the past 6 months, so fairly new to the points game overall – and have started looking hotel points/rewards recently.
In terms of profile, I don’t ever expect to be beyond mid-level status (e.g. Gold) across any program due to the number of (personal not business) trips taken per year – and my most likely route to obtain would be either through the IHG Ambassador paid option, or via the Amex Platinum card. In terms of annual travel, 1-2 x 8n for a main long haul family trip (usually Asia or North America) with 1-2 x 2n weekend trips to Europe. The main goal is to not achieve top tier, but to augment my family’s travel as much as possible, based around the reality of the profile above.
So far, having spent quite a while researching here and elsewhere, the IHG Ambassador paid option (+ IHG One Rewards) looks to be one of easiest routes to do that, seconded to perhaps Elite Gold benefits via Hilton (would target Conrad locations most likely) or Marriot. On the latter, I’ve (limited) lounge access via Barclays Avios Plus and Amex Gold, which may be enough for the number of trips I do. The shortage of UK credit cards for points accruals means getting beyond these seems difficult, for the short term anyway.
My question here is – for those in a similar position/profile as I’ve described, did you find better options, or have any experience to share? Thanks
I’m probably fairly similar – no real business travel to speak of, and a bit of ad-hoc personal travel here and there.
I’ve found it’s generally not practical to put all your eggs in one basket. There often doesn’t seem to be the right brand in the right location, so I need to mix and match a bit. So far I’ve been comfortable finding a decent hotel of either the IHG or Hilton flavour, so have been accruing through both. Amex Platinum gives me gold with Hilton, and I also went for the Ambassador programme to get Platinum Elite with IHG. The latter I was sold on the free weekend night at IC but as yet haven’t managed to use it. Hilton status probably better overall because of the free breakfast. Marriot mid level status just seems pathetic.
In saying that, I’m typing this during a 7 night stay at the Radisson Golden Sands in Malta (very comfortable and very reasonable for a 2 bed suite) as the beaches near the IHG/Hilton properties were a bit naff.
Perhaps try and plan ahead the next few family holiday destinations and see what properties are available there?
That’s a great help thankyou. I was also coming to that same thought, both Amex Platinum and Ambassador. The latter could be obtained just before a trip, to maximise on the annual term. Wrt to the Platinum card and Hilton Elite Gold, have you found the member rates to be different (I mean better) than a non-member flexible rate? Your point on locations is so true, I was trying to think how an IHG location for an upcoming trip would work, and it just doesn’t in comparison to a Hilton brand. So I agree with your thinking, too hard to settle with one as surely it won’t always work. Thanks!
I meant to mention, I’ve Amex MRs to consider transferring into the likes of Hilton, hence why I was asking about member rates.
Hilton member rates are consistently lower than non member rates.however it is chickenfeed savings per night. You’re talking £5 or thereabouts.
TBH the IHG Gold benefits are not that good – the only real one I see is free internet – but are slightly better if you’re platinum which would will get if you join Ambassador for $200. Even Platinum is basically a free drink or some points as upgrades aren’t guaranteed.
Milestone rewards are better but are predicated on nights stays not spend. If my maths is right you would barely make 20 nights (if at all) and the rewards may not work for you at that level.
https://www.ihg.com/content/gb/en/customer-care/member-tc/2nd-page
I can’t really comment on the other scheme but on the face of it I don’t think you’d achieve any meaningful status with such a low stay rate. If my reading of Hilton threads is right the “free” gold breakfast seems – especially in the US – to be a credit to buy items rather than provide an actual meal.
And I’ll leave it to others on what credit card will get you status and at what level in which chain.
But given the paucity of benefit at the status you’ll likely be at I’d actually consider not going for status at all and just chose hotels based on their location and price and not because you might eventually get some status level that gets you real benefits.
I’d join all the major schemes but with that level of stays I’d resist being caught up in loyalty, preferring instead to find best deal on a trip by trip basis regardless of it being independent or chain. In this respect and given your number of nights per year have a look at Ebookers Bonus+. As a family Amex Platinum and associated Hilton Gold could work for you provided you’re all eligible for the insurance. You don’t mention what category of hotels you stay which is also a key factor. For many status is about upgrades and breakfast. Great upgrades have become increasingly difficult to come by but are still possible. For breakfast remember that quite a few brands include it such as HIX, Staybridge, Hampton, Residence Inn therefore status is not necessary if these work for you.
I’d entirely agree with the above posters that getting caught up in loyalty is not the answer here.
One good reason not to get caught up in loyalty when paying cash: there was another thread recently about how in America every average town has a selection of big-brand hotels while anything independent is likely to be scraping the bottom of the barrel. Many Americans think (wrongly) that the rest of the world works like this so you will often find that known-brand hotels attract a significant price premium vs the excellent local independents despite being no better – and often significantly worse – in terms of quality and offering. [This is very different to wisely using standard points redemptions during ultra-expensive periods (August in the Med for example) of course].
Another reason to not get too attached even to booking site loyalty schemes like Expedia or whatever: for rates seen only on 3rd party sites: contact the hotel directly and ask if they can match or better that rate – if you can get through to someone with decision making power the answer is very often yes. This turns you from their least desirable customer (OTA booking) to a highly desirable one (direct booking) so they will often chuck in a little extra on too, or give you a refundable rate that matches the online non-refundable rate. That sort of thing.
I find Hilton the best for that purpose: a relatively good spread, Conrads are good and good churning and burning options.
Especially free breakfast is a game changer for a family trip IMHO. Because it is often a good breakfast.
HH gold comes with Plat and hence the free breakfast.I’d join all the major schemes but with that level of stays I’d resist being caught up in loyalty, preferring instead to find best deal on a trip by trip basis regardless of it being independent or chain. In this respect and given your number of nights per year have a look at Ebookers Bonus+. As a family Amex Platinum and associated Hilton Gold could work for you provided you’re all eligible for the insurance. You don’t mention what category of hotels you stay which is also a key factor. For many status is about upgrades and breakfast. Great upgrades have become increasingly difficult to come by but are still possible. For breakfast remember that quite a few brands include it such as HIX, Staybridge, Hampton, Residence Inn therefore status is not necessary if these work for you.
I agree. I’ve got IHG Diamond and Hilton Gold (from credit cards) and – while the free breakfast and shot at an upgrade are nice for a short break in Europe – I’ll often end up booking elsewhere for better price, location etc. I’ve just booked a holiday apartment for a week’s holiday later in the year as a nice flat was about half the price of a HGI. I’m also booking a pre flight night in premier Inn over IHG, as I’d rather save £100 on a place to crash and eat breakfast in the lounge…
A lot of midrange and serviced apartments brands include breakfast anyway (or breakfast may be so-so even if you get it added due to status). Brands like Hampton generally have fewer room types so limited upgrades. Free breakfast is more attractive in higher end brands (and lounge access if you get Hilton diamond).
If you want status, I’d maybe look at getting IHG status through amex platinum then either doing the same with Hilton or trying to do a status match for Hilton diamond. Ambassador status may be worth buying if you have an IC stay planned. I’d consider how much money and effort you want to put into this, though. Can you time it so status comes with card sign ups and stays you were doing anyway?
If you want status, I’d maybe look at getting IHG status through amex platinum then either doing the same with Hilton or trying to do a status match for Hilton diamond. Ambassador status may be worth buying if you have an IC stay planned. I’d consider how much money and effort you want to put into this, though. Can you time it so status comes with card sign ups and stays you were doing anyway?
I’d like to know how the OP could get IHG status from Amex Platinum.
For 20 nights a year, it’s much simpler to just select somewhere from the whole range of properties available and not “chain” yourself to one or more of the big chains. I’ve just booked a Mandarin Oriental for next week which is cheaper and superior than other offerings in the city, even paying for a suite with club access and 4pm checkout. I know what I’m getting and no need to worry about any platinum/diamond upgrade or late check-out etc “subject to availability”.
Amex Platinum might be worth looking into for the travel insurance, dining credits and the Fine Hotels and Resorts portal, but not particularly for the hotel statuses which are not worth much especially in USA. The exception would be the Hilton Gold status which would be useful for the breakfast if you’re staying in non-USA Conrads. Hilton group does tend to be stingy on free late check-outs if that’s important.
If you want status, I’d maybe look at getting IHG status through amex platinum then either doing the same with Hilton or trying to do a status match for Hilton diamond. Ambassador status may be worth buying if you have an IC stay planned. I’d consider how much money and effort you want to put into this, though. Can you time it so status comes with card sign ups and stays you were doing anyway?
I’d like to know how the OP could get IHG status from Amex Platinum.
Sorry – I misremembered that! Getting status with another chain through amex platinum and using that to try to get Hilton Diamond might still be doable, though I don’t think I’d bother in the OP’s position (and apparently my memory can’t be trusted…)
Plat’s Hilton Gold doesn’t come with night/stay credits. So a Diamond run requires starting from zero nights — unless Hilton runs some promo
Plat’s Hilton Gold doesn’t come with night/stay credits. So a Diamond run requires starting from zero nights — unless Hilton runs some promo
Yeah – sometimes a Hilton status match promo will let you get diamond with fewer nights, but getting Hilton Gold from amex platinum will make you ineligible for a Hilton status match
Plat’s Hilton Gold doesn’t come with night/stay credits. So a Diamond run requires starting from zero nights — unless Hilton runs some promo
Yeah – sometimes a Hilton status match promo will let you get diamond with fewer nights, but getting Hilton Gold from amex platinum will make you ineligible for a Hilton status match
In that case, you can just open a new account for the status match and merge it with your other account afterwards.
Firstly thanks a lot to everyone for the insights and frankly honest responses.
I’ve considered the advice and yes it makes clear sense. Over the past few days, I’ve cost profiled multiple options for an upcoming Asia city trip – and here is a good example… Hilton’s ‘free breakfast’ appears on paper to be the easiest value-add via Platinum/Elite Gold status, but for the city I’m going to, their most attractive hotel option is a Conrad that is 40% more expensive than an IHG (Intercontinental brand) option. I was able to find a points-only rate at said IHG that reduces the rate by a further 15%. This requires purchasing One Rewards points to clear the total, but £:£ works out cheaper. (Note that on canceling the stay, the full points refund would be made, up to 1d before. which I am fine with as I’d simply use them later).
The point here is that, to reinforce the above, neither the Ambassador paid option, or Platinum obtained status would really help much, but opening points/rewards accounts and exploring the options would.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Popular articles this week:
