While travel is still an uncertain luxury for many people across the globe, promising vaccination rates are seeing some countries starting to open borders and welcome visitors, in some capacity, back in for a stay. But hey, even if you aren’t planning to leave the country any time soon, that doesn’t mean you couldn’t use a nice staycation or at least a trip out of the sprawling megacities many of us call home.
For Hilton Honors members, that means a wealth of great deals and extra nights at their favourite properties – but also a few perks that even members themselves might not be aware of. Need a list? We got you.
Confirmed connecting rooms
This one is a massive pet peeve for anyone who’s travelled with large families or groups. Excited for your relaxing time together? Here are a bunch of different rooms spread all over the hotel, and you’ll need to walk for a few minutes before you see each other face-to-face – not ideal. Confirmed Connecting Rooms by Hilton solves this – when booking directly with Hilton, guests can instantly confirm at least two connecting rooms when they place their booking. This is especially family-friendly – the kids get their own space and parents don’t need to go to bed before the sun goes down.
Choose your preferred room
There are few things more deflating than arriving at your hotel after a long, exhausting journey only to be disappointed by the placement of your room. Oh, great, a room right in front of the wall of an adjacent construction site or building, that’s smashing! If you have the Hilton Honors app, you can save this headache from happening in advance. From 6am the day before you arrive, you can choose from a digital floor plan or list, similar to what you do when going to a concert or seated event. The best part? If you were a frequent traveller before the pandemic hit, you probably have your preferred part of the hotel to stay in. The Choose Your Room incentive gives you a peek to whether your favourite room is available. This also speeds up the check-in process – since your room has already been reserved (and you can even request for specific amenities before you arrive!). Ahhh, welcome to your home away from home.
Pool your Points
Here’s another game changer for large groups of up to 11 Hilton Honors Members: Points pooling. It takes about a day for the Points to show up in a member’s account but the process is pretty easy. If you are a member creating a pool (one person will initiate the pool, and others contribute) you can receive up to two million Points per year. Contributors to a pool can transfer up to 500,000 of their Points each year. These can be combined to claim various rewards, offset stays and redeem exciting Hilton Honors Experiences.
Redeem money-can’t-buy Experiences
Speaking of exciting Hilton Honors Experiences – sometimes it’s better to pamper yourself instead of getting a few extra bucks off a room rate. One of the coolest aspects of the Hilton Honors programme is the exclusive Experiences. We’re talking about some awesome choices here, like a luxurious pampering and spa treatment at Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, a Sunday brunch for two at Conrad Centennial Singapore (with unlimited champagne, whoop!), an underwater cocktail experience at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island in the world’s first-ever underwater restaurant, private dining under the stars at Conrad Koh Samui, and a beachfront dinner at Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa.
Rack up bonus Points with ease
There is a special kind of satisfaction that comes from watching your Points wallet multiply over and over again. It’s like extra savings to top up that dream holiday. It’s pretty easy for Hilton Honors members, even if you are not currently travelling. Let’s start with the easiest (and maybe most satisfying): eating out. When you spend at any participating restaurants or bars, boom, bonus Points. Purchasing Points outright also offers a bonus structure. And there are, of course, stay-related bonuses for Elite Tier members that vary depending on whether you are a Silver, Gold or Diamond member. The mechanics change semi-regularly, but the gist is: you stay, you eat, you earn. Simple as that.
Even more flexibility during COVID-19
The pandemic has been the great travel plan derailer of our time. Watching your carefully accumulated Points (with any loyalty programme) dwindle to expiry as the year comes to an end is frustrating, to say the least. However, Hilton has always been flexible to supporting their guests’ needs to provide the best experience possible, and the Hilton Honors programme has been updated with these uncertain times in mind. Had to cancel your summer trip plans? No worries, the validity of your Points has now been extended all the way through to December 31, 2022. Members are also able to achieve Elite Status with just half of the nights normally required, and a bunch more benefits.
Not yet a member? What are you waiting for! Treat yourself and your loved ones to the ultimate Hilton Honors perks and benefits – and elevate your experience #LikeAMember.
