US Travel - earning HHonors whilst avoiding currency conversion fees

[theevilmuppet]

Hi all,

I'm about to book accommodation for a month-long trip in the US and am currently a Hilton HHonors Diamond member.

I'd like to leverage this for my trip, however booking via Hilton.com sees all charges occur in USD. Does anyone have any experience booking through traditional travel agents and still enjoying their HHonors benefits and points earn?

Thanks to all who reply.

 

[earlyriser]

This probably won't help but personally, I pay on my Macquarie HHonors card and have always just assumed that the extra points (and free night per year) I get for using the card offset the currency charges.

 

[theevilmuppet]

This probably won't help but personally, I pay on my Macquarie HHonors card and have always just assumed that the extra points (and free night per year) I get for using the card offset the currency charges.

Bugger - it's a very decent suggestion but alas I was approved for the ANZ Black Frequent Flyer card in January and am not sure I want to give my credit file another flogging just yet.

One suggestion was "Just use your Citibank Visa Debit card and forgo the points" - I am no longer talking to the person who made such an offensive suggestion.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

One suggestion was "Just use your Citibank Visa Debit card and forgo the points"

If you have a Velocity Platinum AMEX, it gives 2 VFF points per AU$

 

[theevilmuppet]

If you have a Velocity Platinum AMEX, it gives 2 VFF points per AU$

I do, however those 2 Velocity Points / AUD come with a choice:

Book via a third party website in AUD and forgo HHonors point earn and HHonors status recognition
Book via a traditional travel agent in AUD and forgo HHonors point earn (but get status recognition)
Book direct with hilton.com in USD and earn both HHonors points and get status recognition but pay 3% for the privilege of American Express performing currency conversion.

Sites such as Quidco may provide a means of enjoying the last option without paying the extra 3% though.

 

[serfty]

You want points? As an Australian resident without a card from an overseas institution then if you want points then you will likely have to pay a forex fee.

28Degrees tends to give pretty good no point value.

 

[serfty]

I don't know of a card without Forex fees available to Australians that earns points.

 

[theevilmuppet]

You want points? As an Australian resident without a card from an overseas institution then if you want points then you will likely have to pay a forex fee.

28Degrees tends to give pretty good no point value.

This is the thing that annoys me with regard to the hotel chains offering membership perks - using sites such as Hotels.com, Expedia, Rocketmiles and so on all preclude either status/points earn from the chain and the loophole some could use to still enjoy their status benefits has been closed in most cases.

The third party sites are able to take payments in AUD and tend to have put the effort in to have their payments acquired in Australia - just because the currency may be AUD does not mean you won't get hit with a currency conversion fee if the transaction is actually acquired somewhere else.

Given their worldwide footprint and the fact that payments are able to be accepted in AUD for Australian properties, there is absolutely zero reason for Hilton (or SPG for that matter) to not accept payments for overseas properties in AUD. It's sheer laziness.

Regarding wanting points and you not being aware of a card that earns points whilst not attracting foreign exchange fees, I'm surprised at you serfty - I'm sure I'm not the only one here that thought you knew everything.

Frequent Flyer Credit Cards – Bankwest Qantas MasterCard®
Rewards Credit Cards – Bankwest More MasterCard®

 

[serfty]

I think you will find that card has a built in arbitrage in the rates offerred. 28 degrees has none or little.

This is when compared to the relevant CC rate of the day.

Currently B/W will give you a rate of 69.66¢ per US$ on purchases. (http://www.bankwest.com.au/rates-fees)

Then comes the fees - $13.50/$10.33 per month.

...

Given their worldwide footprint and the fact that payments are able to be accepted in AUD for Australian properties, there is absolutely zero reason for Hilton (or SPG for that matter) to not accept payments for overseas properties in AUD. It's sheer laziness.

You are discounting the commission they would have to pay to their financial institution.

 

[theevilmuppet]

I think you will find that card has a built in arbitrage in the rates offerred. 28 degrees has none.

This is when compared to the relevant CC rate of the day.
You discounting the commission they would have to pay to their financial institution.

True on the arbitrage, however the checking I've done shows this is well south of the 3% typically demanded on points earning cards (that also often include arbitrage). That said, the 28degrees card can sometimes not be as favourable as other options (the Citibank Plus product is sometimes better, sometimes worse for example).

Regarding the commission they'd be paying, I'd argue that point. When working with large organisations that do plenty in the way of multicurrency payments the arrangements in place tend to be quite favourable to merchants, especially if they're smart enough to be smart about transfers.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Sites such as Quidco may provide a means of enjoying the last option without paying the extra 3% though.

Quidco and cash rewards may be a good option as you still get the hotel program benefits as well as (a standard it would appear) 6% rebate which pays the forex fee for you. I have seen Quidco at 12% and 18% and I even booked one at the 18% but as yet it hasn't paid so I can't comment as to whether it works or not.

 

[serfty]

...
Regarding the commission they'd be paying, I'd argue that point. When working with large organisations that do plenty in the way of multicurrency payments the arrangements in place tend to be quite favourable to merchants, especially if they're smart enough to be smart about transfers.

Aside from commission, this rule is somewhat due to a push by HHonors to get guests to use their websites - that way they can be tracked and perhaps drum up some more business through what is shown. (most major hotel chains (and airlines) do this).

 

[cove]

I am at Hilton Brisbane at the moment using the 4 night pay for three off Citi Prestige. At check I the desk clerk said I should have booked directly as it would be less then proceeded to be unable to match it and wanted $70 a night for a club room upgrade. I did get my HH loyalty card logged in so that might work.
Hilton did not pay out on a Hilton in California when I booked it thru an Expedia special so I don't feel that you always get what you expect.
If the rebate site or deal lowers the price just go with that deal.
I would use 28 degrees, Citibank debit or Bankwest platinum or world if I didn't have suitable US credit cards.