Buying HH points

[Deleted member 29185]

Like many here, the recent HH point hikes have made me consider seriously, bringing forward planned reward bookings.

The downside is the need to purchase points rather then wait for the rest of the years point earnings.

Firstly, I'll give a tip for others who may be planning the same thing. I've found purchasing without a reservation is cheaper with HH than purchasing with a reservation. (point buy without res - US$0.01/point.....point buy with res - variable but my sample US$0.025/point).

Secondly, I'll ask a question.

HH says max point buy without res is 30000 /year, with res seems open slather. Does anyone know if there are limits on point transfers from partners (ie VS for example)? VS says the max they'll transfer in a year is 120 000 but I can't find HH limits if any exist.

 

[Pumbaa]

Like many here, the recent HH point hikes have made me consider seriously, bringing forward planned reward bookings.

The downside is the need to purchase points rather then wait for the rest of the years point earnings.

Firstly, I'll give a tip for others who may be planning the same thing. I've found purchasing without a reservation is cheaper with HH than purchasing with a reservation. (point buy without res - US$0.01/point.....point buy with res - variable but my sample US$0.025/point).

Secondly, I'll ask a question.

HH says max point buy without res is 30000 /year, with res seems open slather. Does anyone know if there are limits on point transfers from partners (ie VS for example)? VS says the max they'll transfer in a year is 120 000 but I can't find HH limits if any exist.

Hi mate, I purchased 40 000 points from Hilton direct at a cost of $400US just 5 days ago. It doesn't seem to work online as they are having IT issues. You get this message that your credit card has been declined etc. Thats what they told me when I called them, but they're more than happy to do the transaction over the phone. The points get deposited instantly.

I had 120 000 points originally, but needed 200 000 points for my booking. When I did my sample booking they wanted something like $1000-$2000 for the remaining 80 000 points. After I purchased the 40 000 points and did the same thing, they only requested $410 for the remaining 40 000 points. So I managed to buy 40 000 for $400 and another 40 000 for $410 and completed my booking of 200 000 points for 5 nights. Now I have exactly 0 HH points in my account.

Previously I would have baulked at paying $400 for 40 000 points as in the majority of cases it would be far cheaper just to pay cash! But my booking at the Conrad Maldives in Jan next year is currently asking for $2300/night! All of a sudden, $810 for 2 nights seemed more than reasonable!

I was tempted to do the Amex --> VS transfer with the current 20% bonus, but I still couldn't get the numbers to stack up. Amex MR points are so much more valuable than HH honors points.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

That's handy to know.

As it turns out, I doubt I need to buy at all.

On reading the Conrad Rangali web site, it says max occupancy per king beach villa is 2A + 2 C which suits us. I was thinking I'd need two rooms.

Has anyone stayed in these? Are they big enough (they claim 150m2).

 

[drdpr]

On reading the Conrad Rangali web site, it says max occupancy per king beach villa is 2A + 2 C which suits us. I was thinking I'd need two rooms.

Has anyone stayed in these? Are they big enough (they claim 150m2).

Hi Swanning_it. Yes I have stayed in these rooms twice. When you say 2C, under 12yr? I think you will be hard pressed to do this, particularly if you want any hint of romance. Basically there is a largish couch (really a fitted mattress built in) opposite the base of the bed. You could sleep the little ones on this, and i stress little. i.e. you probably could get away with it if both under 5. We only had our under 3 daughter so she either slept there or in bed with us. I think they offer another mattress (for a fee), then can split the 2C. However, bear in mind it is the one room. The only other private room is the toilet. The shower and bathroom are outside, completely open. Zero provision for privacy within the room should it be needed. But they are spacious, and you have the lovely outdoor bath as well.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Hi Swanning_it. Yes I have stayed in these rooms twice. When you say 2C, under 12yr? I think you will be hard pressed to do this, particularly if you want any hint of romance. Basically there is a largish couch (really a fitted mattress built in) opposite the base of the bed. You could sleep the little ones on this, and i stress little. i.e. you probably could get away with it if both under 5. We only had our under 3 daughter so she either slept there or in bed with us. I think they offer another mattress (for a fee), then can split the 2C. However, bear in mind it is the one room. The only other private room is the toilet. The shower and bathroom are outside, completely open. Zero provision for privacy within the room should it be needed. But they are spacious, and you have the lovely outdoor bath as well.

Thanks for that info. Our kids are not kids per se but we'd most likely be only taking one, who'd be either 12 or 13 at the time (depending upon the year we book, currently considering Jan 2014 or Jan 2015). I'm not so concerned about privacy and as for romance....yes, I heard about that once. I think I read it on a match box (Basil Fawlty). I'm sure we'd "make do". The King Beach Villa actually states 2A,2C or 3A,1C. so I was thinking 2A, 1 tween would be suitable! (Mind you, we'd need more luggage for her wardrobe than both of us combined).

OH I nearly forgot. I noticed there are also Twin Beach Villas which suggest on the web site, 2 rooms per villa, but it's a bit odd in the spiel. Do you know if that's the case?

Here's the King Beach Villa blurb:
Beachfront with glass-wall bedroom and open-air garden-bathroom.
Set on the beachfront, all 35 of our Beach Villas (up to 150m2) feature a glass-walled bedroom that opens onto a terrace and small private garden, leading to the beach. To the rear, a fountain courtyard is part of the secluded open-air garden-bathroom with a thatched-roof bathing pavilion featuring an outsized bathtub and romantic mood lighting.

Maximum occupancy: two adults and two children OR three adults and one child.

Here's the Twin Beach Villa blurb:
Beachfront with glass-wall twin bedroom and open-air bathroom.
Set on the beachfront, all 35 of our Beach Villas (up to 150m2) feature a glass-walled bedroom opens onto a terrace and small private garden, leading to the beach. To the rear, a fountain courtyard is part of the secluded open-air garden-bathroom with a thatched-roof bathing pavilion featuring an outsized bathtub and romantic mood lighting. Twin Beach Villas have two separate single mattresses on the sleep platform.

Maximum occupancy: two adults and two children OR three adults and one child.

 

[kpc]

.....currently considering Jan 2014 or Jan 2015,,,,,

If you book Jan 2015, you sure your plans won't change?...as any change after March 28th means you have to pay the new award amount!:evil: (I'm worried that if I book even Feb 2014, my plans might change)

 

[Deleted member 29185]

If you book Jan 2015, you sure your plans won't change?...as any change after March 28th means you have to pay the new award amount!:evil: (I'm worried that if I book even Feb 2014, my plans might change)

I'm never sure my plans won't change by next week. We're largely thinking 2015 because that gives more time to organise airline FF miles (by purchase with the bonuses often offered around Christmas hopefully) and also have our almost 16 YO a bit older so he can stay at home by himself.

Other than that, we make any other plans fit to suit these ones!