Hilton HHonors has added new award options for members. The program recently introduced Points & Money Rewards, Premium Room Rewards and Room Upgrade Rewards. Points & Money Rewards will be offered at Category 2 and higher hotel properties and members essentially receive a 50 percent discount off the regular point requirement when redeeming points plus a cash co-pay.
Members can pay a combination of 6,250 points plus $30 for stays at Category 2 hotels, 12,250 points plus $40 for stays at Category 3 hotels, 15,000 points plus $50 for stays at Category 4 hotels, 17,500 points plus $60 for stays at Category 5 hotels, 20,000 points plus $70 for stays at Category 6 hotels, 25,000 points plus $85 for stays at Category 7 hotels and 30,000 points plus $100 for stays at Waldorf Astoria properties.
With Room Upgrade Rewards, members will be able to redeem points for a confirmed upgrade to a premium room or suite with a paid stay, based on availability. The points required will vary according to the hotel, room type and booking date. Premium Room Rewards allow members to book award stays in premium rooms and suites for points. Previously, members could only redeem points for a hotel stay in a standard room. As with Room Upgrade Rewards, the number of points required is based on the room, hotel and booking date.
Bottom line: By being able to choose Points & Money, Hilton HHonors members can book more award nights for fewer points. For example, instead of redeeming 25,000 points for a Category 3 hotel, members can choose a Points & Money Reward for 12,250 points plus $40. For members who don’t have enough points for an award night, selecting Points & Money is cheaper than buying points, which normally cost $10 to $12.50 per 1,000 points. In the scenario here, 1,000 points would cost only $3.27. This new award option is a welcome addition to Hilton HHonors and the program joins Priority Club Rewards, Club Carlson and Starwood Preferred Guest in allowing members the ability to combine cash and points for award redemption. And for the first time, Hilton HHonors members will be able to redeem points for room upgrades and for stays in premium rooms or suites at all Hilton locations worldwide.
