Match your Status with Hilton and Keep it for Cheap
Thank you for the feedback on my earlier post – Does this Mattress Run make Sense? A few readers asked me if such an opportunity exists for other loyalty programs as well.
I found an interesting opportunity with Hilton Honors which I would like to share. It is not as cheap as the Marriott opportunity, but is still worth exploring.
Read on.
Step 1 – Status Match with Hilton
Most hotel loyalty programs have 3 or 4 levels – base, mid and top-end. For Hilton Honors, these tiers are – Member, Silver, Gold and Diamond. The benefits are given below:
I would argue that Hilton Gold is one of the best mid-level membership out there. Not only it comes with room upgrade and late checkout (both subject to availability), it offers some good benefits which similar levels at other programs do not. These include
- Complimentary breakfast
- No resort fee at resort properties
- 80% bonus points
As of now, Hilton is having a great status-match program. You can match to Hilton Honors Gold and complete 4 stays in 90 days to keep your status. Or you could match to Hilton Honors Diamond and complete 8 stays in 90 days to keep your status through March 2021.
You can register at this link.
Step 2 – Register for Hilton Double Points
From May 6 to September 8, Hilton is offering double points starting your second stay. Check your e-mail to see if you have been targeted.
Step 3 – Complete Required Stay to Keep Your Status
If you are in Dubai or planning to travel, you could take advantage of some incredible rates at these Hilton properties.
Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Muraqabat
This property is selling at an incredibly low rate of AED 128 ($35) per night. Once you are matched to Hilton Gold or Diamond, you would also get free breakfast.
This is how your points earning will look like (assuming status match to Hilton Gold)
- 10 base points per dollar spent = 350 points
- 8 bonus points per dollar spent = 280 points
- 10 bonus points per dollar (if eligible for Hilton Double Points) = 350 points
- 12-14 points per dollar spent (if you have US Amex Hilton co-branded cards) = 420-490 points
In total you could earn up to 1,470 points per night. Valuing Hilton Honors points at 0.6 cents per point, this means you could earn points worth $8.82 per night. This is equivalent to 25% discount.
To summarize, you could retain Hilton Honors Gold till March 2021 for $140+taxes. And you can get up to 25% points back on this.
Hampton by Hilton Dubai Airport
Like the Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Muraqabat, this property has the lowest rate of AED 128 ($35) per night. Therefore, the calculations are identical.
Final Thoughts
This seems like a great way to match and retain your status with Hilton.
For example, you could be a Hilton Gold for about $130 for 2 years. This is less than $95 I pay annually for American Express Hilton Ascend Card.
What do you think?
