- Joined
- Aug 20, 2006
- Messages
- 3,389
- Reaction score
- 1,305
- Points
- 548
- Location
- Honolulu, HI
- Resorts Owned
- HGVC South Beach, HGVC Las Vegas, HGVC Las Vegas on the Strip, HGVC Sea World, Misner Place
I know a number of members have complained about the high point amounts for nights and that the Hilton Honors Program has deteriorated to the points that the points are not worth anything. Well there is certainly a good amount of truth in that but there is also so different object approaches that I have found.
Just as with timeshare reservations sometimes for high demand area you need to book early. One such instance was that this past winter I booked a night at the Hampton Inn nearest to Zion National Park for 1 night this coming September while we are staying in Las Vegas for a vacation. When I booked it was 39,000 points for the Sunday night needed. Well I went on and looked tonight and there is no longer any availability for that night. Furthermore, if I wanted to change my plan to Monday night I could get a night but it would be 50,000 points. By the way the cost of the room with cash is about $350/night.
Second, when you want to use your points. As I mentioned it is important to book early it is also important to keep in mind the prime vacation time of the nights you want to book. Just as with timeshares this is important. Summer when the kids are out of school, Christmas Week, Easter Week etc., are prime vacation times and you are going to either pay more points for the nights, or you are going to find no availability. I rarely use my Hilton Honors points during those periods, however, a few years ago I did book 5 nights in a Hampton Inn in August 2 blocks from the White House. I did so like 10 months ahead and didn't include a Saturday night. The nights were 50,000 points per night and I received a free night by paying for 4 nights at 200,000 points. However, the nights cost over $300/night +tax if I had to pay for them with cash.
Just as with timeshare reservations sometimes for high demand area you need to book early. One such instance was that this past winter I booked a night at the Hampton Inn nearest to Zion National Park for 1 night this coming September while we are staying in Las Vegas for a vacation. When I booked it was 39,000 points for the Sunday night needed. Well I went on and looked tonight and there is no longer any availability for that night. Furthermore, if I wanted to change my plan to Monday night I could get a night but it would be 50,000 points. By the way the cost of the room with cash is about $350/night.
Second, when you want to use your points. As I mentioned it is important to book early it is also important to keep in mind the prime vacation time of the nights you want to book. Just as with timeshares this is important. Summer when the kids are out of school, Christmas Week, Easter Week etc., are prime vacation times and you are going to either pay more points for the nights, or you are going to find no availability. I rarely use my Hilton Honors points during those periods, however, a few years ago I did book 5 nights in a Hampton Inn in August 2 blocks from the White House. I did so like 10 months ahead and didn't include a Saturday night. The nights were 50,000 points per night and I received a free night by paying for 4 nights at 200,000 points. However, the nights cost over $300/night +tax if I had to pay for them with cash.
