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Should I Redeem Hilton HHonors Points for Flights?

Feb. 28, 2016
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3 min read
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Should I Redeem Hilton HHonors Points for Flights?
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TPG reader Don sent me a message on Facebook to ask about Hilton HHonors:

“Should I redeem Hilton HHonors points for flights?”

These days, most loyalty programs offer a variety of ways to redeem your rewards. These extra redemption options can greatly enhance your points and miles — for example, the airline transfer options from Starwood Preferred Guest are a great alternative to booking award nights at Starwood properties. However, many redemption options (like gift cards and merchandise) give you a poor return, and don't really add value to the program.

Hilton HHonors allows you to swap points for miles with almost all the major domestic airlines (excluding Southwest), and an assortment of international carriers such as Air Canada, British Airways and Singapore Airlines. Unfortunately, the exchange rate is downright miserable. You'll need 10,000 HHonors points to get just 1,000 miles with most airlines (including Alaska, Delta, JetBlue, United and Virgin America). American, Virgin Atlantic and a few others get you 1,500 miles for 10,000 points, but it's tough to find good value even at that more favorable rate.

I list Hilton HHonors points at 0.5 cents apiece in my most recent monthly valuations, which means you'd need to get around 3-5 cents per mile (depending on the airline) for converting your points to be worthwhile. Domestic economy flights are typically 25,000 miles round-trip, which equates to around 167,000 HHonors points on American or 250,000 points on other airlines. Your fare would have to be astronomical ($835 at the lower exchange rate or $1,250 at the higher rate) to get a return of 0.5 cents per point. That's unlikely unless you're traveling at the last minute, which wouldn't be viable anyway since transfers can take up to 30 days.

You could book Emirates A380 first class for around one million Hilton HHonors points transferred to Alaska Airlines.

You're more likely to get decent value on premium awards like Emirates first class (booked through Alaska Mileage Plan) or Cathay Pacific first class (booked through American Airlines AAdvantage). However, you'd be shelling out a huge number of Hilton points, and there are more efficient ways to get those seats.

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The only scenario where I think converting makes sense is if you're simply drowning in HHonors points, you're short on airline miles or transferable points and you're getting a good redemption value. Keep in mind that 0.5 cents apiece is just an average; there are certainly more lucrative ways to redeem Hilton HHonors points. If you tend to get good value on Hilton award stays, then you have even more reason to stay away from the flight options.

Check out these posts for more on how to maximize Hilton HHonors:

If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.

[card card-name='Citi® Hilton HHonorsTM Reserve Card' card-id='22146296' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.