Figure out where your next trip is going to be and don’t worry about your hotel!
(image via 123techsupport)
Reader Lauren shared these great tips from Hilton today:
“Thought you might be interested in Hilton HHonors tips for fueling your hotel loyalty points.
While Americans are considering alternative ways to cut back on their travel costs, they may often forget that they can utilize their hotel loyalty programs to reduce expenses. Travelers who haven’t taken advantage of their hotel points are missing out on a world of rewards and free travel. From vacation packages to car rentals, members can utilize their points and miles as a new form of currency to plan for their next trip.
Hilton HHonors wants all travelers to know about the best ways to tap into their points for summer travel. “
Hilton HHonors Fueling Your Points Tip Sheet:
1) Choose Rewards Programs Carefully – Not all customer loyalty programs are created equal, so take the time to research which hotel and airline programs are the best fit for you. Does your hotel/airline partner offer the choices and flexibility you need?
2) Don’t get “Blacked Out” – Redeeming rewards during expensive peak seasons saves you more money. Look for a hotel rewards program that allows you to redeem points for a room without imposing blackout dates or capacity controls.
3) Choose Your Preferred Earnings Style – Whether you want free nights or free flights, choose an earnings style that will satisfy your travel needs. Hilton HHonors, for example, offers three different earnings options, including points & fixed miles, as well as points variable miles, which impact how members earn points and miles.
4) Convert Your Points And Miles – Check with a customer service representative from your travel rewards program to see if you can convert hotel points to miles or airline miles to points. Concentrating your earnings into one currency allows you to earn that free trip or flight faster than you previously thought you’d be able to.
5) Loyalty Pays Off – By staying loyal to one hotel and one airline loyalty program, you will earn more rewards faster and can receive various VIP privileges and special recognition. For example, Hilton HHonors offers their VIP members options like extra bonus points for every qualifying stay, free Wi-Fi, complimentary room upgrades and more.
6) Sign-up For An Affinity Card – Most loyalty programs offer a variety of credit cards that allow you to earn points or miles for just spending money you would normally spend.
7) Give the Gift of Reward Travel – If a friend or loved one is planning for a honeymoon, a birthday or other special milestone, consider gifting them with points to help them reach their dream destination.
8.) Earn Points Through Car Rentals – Are you earning points on every car rental? Whether it’s for business or pleasure, renting from one of your reward program partners will allow you to rack up the points with each reservation.
9) One-of-a-Kind Experience Rewards – Some programs also offer a variety of one-of-a-kind experiences that you can redeem for rewards. For example, Hilton HHonors offers members the chance to soar above New York City in a helicopter or test-drive their dream job while on vacation.
10) Redeem Vacation Packages – In addition to redeeming points for great experiences, many hotel reward programs offer vacation packages that you can use points for. Hilton HHonors offers members a variety of unique and adventurous vacations like wine tasting in France with Golden Moments and walking along the Great Wall of China with Peregrine Travel.
Note from Wanderus: This is not a paid-ad.
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
1 comment
Comments feed for this article
September 22, 2008 at 11:50 am
Ric Garrido
These are all great basic tips on earning and redemption for hotel loyalty programs . My Loyalty Traveler blog takes these tips to the next level to actually show people how to do #1: Choose a loyalty program carefully.
Most leisure travelers I talk to seem to focus on the hotel loyalty program based on whatever credit card offer they chose to sign-up for and really don’t know how to compare Hilton HHonors to Marriott Rewards or Starwood Preferred Guest or IHG Priority Club.
Much of my writing covers #5: Loyalty Pays Off. I analyze the lucrative promotions of hotel loyalty programs to show travelers the value of a promotion; usually through examples involving real hotels and actual hotel rates to generate potential cost/benefit analyses.
My posts tend to be long and detailed, but if you are someone spending $5,000 a year on hotels you really should be making an informed decision on the choice of hotel loyalty program.
And if you are just looking for a way to get that $400 free room night for $200 in hotel spending, hopefully my blog will help you see how to get a nice hotel for less with a little bit of research and planning.