Buying Points

[TerryW]

I have been sent an e-mail from Hilton Honours about a 80% bonus if buying points,which works out eg 20,00 points for $200 U.S.D.which at the current conversion rate = $286.00 A.U.D.Has any one else taken up this offer or would recommend it.Or it is better value to wait when exchange rates are better.
Any advice would be helpful,i currently have 19,000 points in my HH accounts.
Thanks
Terry.

 

[JohnK]

I haven't seen this offer yet but I don't think it is a great idea to be buying Hhonors points to hoard unless you had a specific redemption in mind which would normally cost more than the cost of the points.

Points + pay can work out quite well for some hotels and places like Maldives and Koh Samui where room rates are expensive.

One can normally get Hilton Pattaya for ~AUD200-AUD250/night sometimes cheaper. From memory costs 40,000 Hhonors points. Not a great value property.

 

[TerryW]

Thanks for the reply and information.
Terry.

 

[Cynicor]

HH points are worth 0.5c per point, in USD. That is my max payment for them, anything less and I'll pull the trigger. Redemptions same value- if getting more than that then it is a good redemption. If less, probably should think again.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

HH points are worth 0.5c per point, in USD. That is my max payment for them, anything less and I'll pull the trigger. Redemptions same value- if getting more than that then it is a good redemption. If less, probably should think again.

I agree with everything you wrote but you value them slightly higher than I do. For me, it's 0.5c in AUD.

 

[NZflygirl]

Currently a 60% bonus offer on. how often during the year do they go on sale for 80 or 100%??

 

[earlyriser]

Currently a 60% bonus offer on. how often during the year do they go on sale for 80 or 100%??

I received 80% bonus offer. I think it was a targeted promo. With the xe doing ok it would save me some money at expensive properties so will consider it.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I received 80% bonus offer. I think it was a targeted promo. With the xe doing ok it would save me some money at expensive properties so will consider it.

I got the 80% offer.

 

[jackthomas]

80% bonus here....Undecided on whether I'll take it up.

 

[SponsorSFC]

80% for both of our accounts. Will be using it to top up the points from the Macquarie HHonors sign up bonus for a Conrad Maldives redemption.

 

[NZflygirl]

Bah! I'm clearly not feeling the love! Do they only offer to gold or diamonds or are they ever available to silvers? I'll never reach gold (apart from VA related later)

 

[CJEMNMAC]

I agree with everything you wrote but you value them slightly higher than I do. For me, it's 0.5c in AUD.

swanning_it

wondering how you derive that value for these points ?

I realise everyone has there own "valuation" depending on how points are used but more curious how you value at 0.5c for HH

 

[Deleted member 29185]

swanning_it

wondering how you derive that value for these points ?

I realise everyone has there own "valuation" depending on how points are used but more curious how you value at 0.5c for HH

Just based on the AUD rate for properties I'm interested in. I don't have any fixed numbers right now, but when I was researching Far/Middle East Hiltons, it seemed that on the low end of the scale, a point may be worth AU$0.003 but could range up to AU$0.008......so AU0.5c was middle ground. The value/point is not the be all and end all for me. Domestically, I just buy the room as point redemptions seem somewhat of a rip off for what I know we'll get (not to mention they're usually tax deductable or paid by a client). OS is where I like to use my points and various searches seems to bring up a range of prices. The best I've taken up was a points and pay where each HH point was worth AU1.2c and the ones down the 0.03c range I tend to leave and just buy the accommodation. I don't tend to take into account the points earned on a buy vrs a point redemption though, as it makes my brain hurt.

EDIT: I should also say that I don't really value a point at AU0.5c.......that figure is more the base line for consideration. Less value than that, I'm really unlikely to redeem points as the point earn on a buy would likely outweigh it. Anything higher than AU0.5c/point and I consider redeeming points and of course the higher the better!

 

[SponsorSFC]

Bah! I'm clearly not feeling the love! Do they only offer to gold or diamonds or are they ever available to silvers? I'll never reach gold (apart from VA related later)

Macquarie Hilton card has gold status with a current offer of 40,000 bonus points & free night certificate for $99 first year fee.

 

[NZflygirl]

Macquarie Hilton card has gold status with a current offer of 40,000 bonus points & free night certificate for $99 first year fee.

Thanks but I'm NZ based so not sure I'd qualify for a credit card in Australia. Sounds like a great deal though.


i decided to buy points and I'll see what it's like redeeming them. Then I can assess the value of the program to me.

 

[Spizz]

Macquarie Hilton card has gold status with a current offer of 40,000 bonus points & free night certificate for $99 first year fee.

Can you link to this offer please. I thought the 40,000 points and $99 fee ended long ago. If its still available via a link Ill sign up right now.

 

[SponsorSFC]

Can you link to this offer please. I thought the 40,000 points and $99 fee ended long ago. If its still available via a link Ill sign up right now.

Hilton HHonors Macquarie Platinum Card

Ends 31st March

 

[Shinkz]

Agree with the 0.5c usd general valuation however - some properties will give effective value using points + pay of over 1.5c/p and even if you would never intend to pay that full rate in the first place this still represents excellent value. Most properties in London have this available if there is a basic room available. The waldorf astoria's in dubai from memory also have this.

It's always the case of only buy the points if you plan to redeem straight away and have already done the maths regarding value in terms of what you value.

 

[Spizz]

Hilton HHonors Macquarie Platinum Card

Ends 31st March

Awesome. Thank you.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Agree with the 0.5c usd - some properties will give effective value using points + pay of over 1.5c/p

USD or AUD? I've found I'm better to work in AUD as that's the currency I earn in and gives the best (easy) mental calc. Points and pay to me is no great drama. I simply deduct the pay component from the normal rate (can be different basis, depending upon what I'm prepared to accept at the time), and then divide the points into the difference and that theoretically leaves the point value.....provided of course you would have been prepared to pay the base rate to start with, it represents a good comparison figure. The downside is that even though you can convert to your preferred currency before booking, there is nothing to suggest that exchange rate will be honoured upon redemption, which happens at the time of stay.