3 Days till HHonors Devaluation – How I’m Using My Points

by Adam

Hilton’s horrible points devaluation goes into effect in just three short days on March 28th and I’m spending some time now deciding where to redeem my final 200K+ points. The majority of these points were earned as sign up bonuses for the Hawaiian Airlines credit cards from Bank of Hawaii and Bank of America. I then transferred the miles at a rate of 1:2 to Hilton HHonors for a planned stay back in January. My plans ultimately changed and I now have a balance of 200K+ in my HHonors account.  Here are the options I’m considering, the differences between a redemption by the 28th and one after using the new reward chart are truly startling:

Hilton Barbados – Family vacation in December, currently category 7 moving to the new category 8.
Cash Rate – $593 per nt, Current Points Required – 37.5k per night, Points Required after March 28th – 70,000 per night (5th night will be free)

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Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa– Potential early December holiday? Currently category 7 moving to the new category 10.
Cash Rate – $659 per nt, Current Points Required – 37.5k per night, Points Required after March 28th – 95,000 per night WOW (5th night will be free)

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Conrad Koh Samui – Potential early December holiday? Currently category 7 moving to the new category 10.
Cash Rate – $879 per nt, Current Points Required – 37.5k per night, Points Required after March 28th – 95,000 per night WOW (5th night will be free)

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Conrad Maldives Rangali Island – Potential early December holiday? Currently category 7 moving to the new category 10.
Cash Rate – $1365 per nt, Current Points Required – 37.5k per night, Points Required after March 28th – 95,000 per night WOW (5th night will be free)

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Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa– Potential early December holiday? Currently category 7 moving to the new category 10.
Cash Rate – $1038 per nt, Current Points Required – 37.5k per night, Points Required after March 28th – 95,000 per night WOW (5th night will be free)

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I’ll obviously be deciding before Thursday, which also happens to be a few days before my Diamond status expires as well. Are you cashing out your points as well? Make sure to check out this post for a link to the updated award chart, a search feature which allows you to find property rates by month, and even a listing of category changes by each individual property. Remember, if you use your points for domestic stays at some of the lower category properties, you might even find some positive changes…

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The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

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25 comments

Thrifty Tourist March 25, 2013 - 1:52 pm

I haven’t decided what I’m going to do with my 300k points, but I might hold them. The Grand Wailea Maui – A Waldorf Astoria Resort is actually lowering its redemption values for 7 months out of the year with Hilton’s new points chart. All inclusive properties redemption values stay the same & the Rome Cavalieri – another Waldorf property is only increasing by 10k in some months. So even if you procrastinate, you can find some GREAT redemption properties.

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stacey March 25, 2013 - 1:59 pm

Have you looked into getting to Seychelles? I tried piecing together a miles ticket and couldn’t find any availability – any particular airline or alliance you would look to?

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adam March 25, 2013 - 2:41 pm

@stacey – Emirates is partners with Alaska/JAL/Korean. Etihad is partners with American. Ethopian Airlines is a United/Star Alliance partner, Kenya Airways (Delta/SkyTeam partner). There are other options too depending on what points you have, feel free to send me an email at adam@pointmetotheplane.com for more assistance.

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clayd333 March 25, 2013 - 2:09 pm

I just bit the bullet and booked 6 days in Koh Samui. Was trying to get there in Emirates suites but just when i had enough SPG pts (last week)EK took down all the inventory. Oh well, i just booked it for the 22-28 of Nov. Thanksgiving in Thailand is gonna be awesome even without a shower on the plane!

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Jeremy March 25, 2013 - 2:12 pm

I was debating using them for my summer Europe trip for two nights in London but want to use Club Carlson instead. Thinking of saving for a winter break trip with the girlfriend to either Barbados or Los Cabos. Agh decisions decisions! I may just hold on and try and max out the 6X category at CVS before May.

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Truthiness March 25, 2013 - 2:14 pm

Rather than randomly picking a destination, I suggest running through the numbers for a potential flight award booking too, and see of you can stay and fly for free.

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adam March 25, 2013 - 2:20 pm

@Truthiness – I personally don’t book my award flights this far out. However, I was able to find first class Etihad availability which I currently have on hold for those dates to Abu Dhabi. Thailand is always very easy to find awards and Bora Bora is normally not so bad either. Barbados we’ve had luck with last minute AA milesAAver availability twice in Decembers past.

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Narayana S March 25, 2013 - 2:30 pm

@ adam – are you using AA miles for the EY booking. Also does AA allow you to change the destination later on?

– narayana

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adam March 25, 2013 - 2:45 pm

@Narayana S – Yes, I have them on hold using AA miles. Remember, Etihad must publish a fare between your origin city and Male in order to book the flight. While the ticket is on hold you can make as many changes as you like. Afterwards, all award changes follow American’s standard rules. http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/redeemMiles/makingAwardReservations.jsp

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silver springer March 25, 2013 - 2:59 pm

We are using points for the new Conrad Seoul in April and the Hilton molino stuckey in venice in early january 2014.

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Robert P. March 25, 2013 - 3:12 pm

I enjoyed the Hilton Barbados last year. Right next door is the best beach on the island

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Charlotte March 25, 2013 - 4:56 pm

I am headed for a week at the Conrad in Tokyo. Will still earn some Hilton points since one of the businesses I visit the best place to stay is a Hampton Inn close by plus a few training conferences are at a Hilton hotel.

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Joe March 25, 2013 - 6:13 pm

I just reserved 600,000 for vacations this summer in Europe. I have 200 points left.

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Matt M March 25, 2013 - 8:58 pm

I booked 2 nights at the Conrad Koh Samui, 2 nights at Conrad Singapore, and 1 night at Conrad Bali for our trip in Sept. Looking forward to Koh Samui the most.

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Jay March 26, 2013 - 12:28 am

Just wondering…how often have you gotten the Hawaiian Airlines credit cards from Bank of Hawaii and Bank of America? Did you have to close the ones you had before applying again?

How often could you churn them? I also wonder what one would tell the analyst? I already used up my “want to keep expenses separate” excuse when I was asked why I was getting 2 of the same cards. (Got the 2 about a month ago)

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James M March 26, 2013 - 11:49 pm

I booked a night at the Conrad HK.
~$450USD per night, or $140+25,000. 50,000 for a totally free night. I went with the Cash+Miles option as I was 2000 miles short of 50,000 and didn’t want to pay to top it up

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Mari June 29, 2013 - 6:44 am

I just began a petition at Change.org called: Hilton Honors: Stop the “restructuring” of Hilton Honors Points

I encourage everyone who shares my outrage at this corporate theft to sign on!

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