Where and when are you looking to book? A few years ago Hilton announced that, at times, they would be using a demand/availability driven system for the amount of points that would be needed for reservations. Therefore, when you say that the snuck in an increase it is very possible that you are trying to reserve rooms at times when hotels are already almost full therefore, they are going to charge a high amount.I just noticed today that many places now require more HHonors points. They snuck in an increase it appears.
Hilton is still my preferred chain and I still collect HH points, but...
IMHO, point-values are just not high enuff to stick with one brand.
I stopped using AmEx Hilton to add on HH-pesos a few years ago.
I switched to a Chase Sapphire that, IMHO, offers a better benefit.
Hilton is still my preferred chain and I still collect HH points, but...
IMHO, point-values are just not high enuff to stick with one brand.
I stopped using AmEx Hilton to add on HH-pesos a few years ago.
I switched to a Chase Sapphire that, IMHO, offers a better benefit.
Recently I received an offer to upgrade my Hilton Amex card to Hilton Amex Ascend card with 150K bonus. I thought it was a good deal after reading the point valuation on points guy as .6 cent per point. After I received the card, I went online and did a few mock booking... nope 150K is worth just about not much. I called them back to cancel the new card and reverted back to my no fee Hilton Amex card. I only use Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Bonvoy for my regular travel and other spending.
I don't know what you thought you were getting for the free sign up bonus, but I can get 3 free nights in Honolulu for that and for an additional 50,000 points which I have I can turn that 150,000 points into 5 free nights in Honolulu. Maybe you will not use or value the other benefits of the Aspire Card. The $250 airline and resort credits pay for the card + $50. The free weekend night is easily worth $250-$300. Getting 14 points per dollar instead of 6 for Hilton expenditures is worth at least another free night at my spending rate which is worth another $250-$300. To sum it up in addition to the sign up bonus I get more than $1000 in value from the $450 cost of the card.
We don't use the Hilton Card for primary spend either. If we did we wouldn't get the 14x points per dollar on most expenditures. You only get them on Hilton Brand expenditures.I agree with this, for the most part. We don't use our Hilton cards for primary spend, so the 14x points don't add up. But all the rest (+$50 after airline and resort, free night) definitely do. This is why we both have this now - because it makes back more than it costs.
Cheers.
I just noticed today that many places now require more HHonors points. They snuck in an increase it appears.
Unfortunately, they dont reward you with more usage points with the demand/availability driven system at the same percentage increase as using points cost increase.Where and when are you looking to book? A few years ago Hilton announced that, at times, they would be using a demand/availability driven system for the amount of points that would be needed for reservations. Therefore, when you say that the snuck in an increase it is very possible that you are trying to reserve rooms at times when hotels are already almost full therefore, they are going to charge a high amount.
I just checked Honolulu during Christmas a New Years week, which is a prime time period to a prime location that I have used Hilton Honors points for hotel stays to get less expensive flights to Honolulu before my timeshare stays. They are the same amount of points as usual.
Unfortunately, they dont reward you with more usage points with the demand/availability driven system at the same percentage increase as using points cost increase.
I just booked in Nashville overnight at our usually Hilton prior to one of our upcoming trips. I have noticed a 10K hilton honors point increase. But I think that the hotel prices look like they have also increased.