Booking a Hilton Points & Money Award — Reader Success Story
Today I want to share a story from TPG reader Kavi, who used points to book a hotel stay when rates were high and availability was low. Here's what he had to say:
Looking to book a quick weekend getaway this past fall, I had my sights set on a night in Providence, Rhode Island, followed by two nights in New Haven, Connecticut. I booked an Airbnb in New Haven, but couldn't find one I liked in Providence, so I began looking at paid rates across the larger hotel chains (Hilton, Marriott, IHG). Much to my surprise, a lot of hotels were already sold out on the particular night I needed, so I shifted my attention to points.
I have a stash of Chase Ultimate Rewards points I could have dipped into, but I'd much rather save those for my planned trip to Europe next year, when I can transfer to partners and get a more worthwhile redemption. Luckily, I had just over 37,000 points in my Hilton Honors account from past stays during weddings I attended. I found a Hilton Garden Inn right in Providence for 40,000 points, so I was less than 3,000 points shy.
Purchasing the last 3,000 points from Hilton would have cost me $30, but the Points & Money option was a little cheaper, as I could book the room with the 37,000 points I had plus $18. Paid rates for the one night were $399, so I got just over one cent per point in value and didn't have to buy additional Hilton points (as I don't stay at their properties often). It's a small win, but having a cash and points option is really helpful to lower out-of-pocket costs and avoid overpaying for miles.
Unlike most cash and points award options (which are only offered at a few fixed rates), Hilton's Points & Money awards let you redeem on a sliding scale. You can use however many points you want (starting at 5,000 and going up in intervals of 1,000), so there's a lot of flexibility to book awards with an insufficient balance and to get a decent return from small balances. Kavi only saved $12 compared to the cost of buying points outright, but the amount is less important than the underlying principle that the Points & Money option can help you redeem Hilton points more efficiently. Redemption rates vary widely, so even if you have enough points to cover a standard award, I recommend playing around with the points/money slider to see what kind of value you're offered.
One caveat: Be careful about booking these awards if you're staying at a property that charges nightly resort fees. Hilton Honors generally waives resort fees for award stays when you pay entirely with points, but the fees will be added if you select a rate with even the minimum cash portion. In that scenario you may be better off buying the remaining points you need, since booking a standard award will probably cost you less overall.
I love this story and I want to hear more like it! To thank Kavi for sharing his experience (and for allowing me to post it online), I'm sending him a $200 airline gift card to enjoy on future travels, and I'd like to do the same for you. Please email your own award travel success stories to info@thepointsguy.com; be sure to include details about how you earned and redeemed your rewards, and put "Reader Success Story" in the subject line. Feel free to also submit your most woeful travel mistakes. If your story is published in either case, I'll send you a gift to jump-start your next adventure.
Safe and happy travels to all, and I look forward to hearing from you!
Photo courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Providence.
TPG featured card
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.