Hilton Honors points don’t seem to be worth much
October 25, 2007
SavingDiva reminded me that I’ve been hoarding points, and so I thought I’d check on a few of my points pots like the 5100 AMEX Membership Rewards points, and the Hilton HHonors points.
My Hilton HHonors card has been giving me 5 points per dollar spent on cell phone bills and restaurants for about 3 or 4 years now, and I’ve accumulated nearly 50,000 points. Hilton phased out their airline ticket redemption and points-to-miles transfer programs sometime last year, so the only options that I’d consider are hotel stays, and possibly gift cards.
With Christmas coming up and a history of never actually staying at a Hilton Hotel for leisure, it seemed like a good idea to check out the gift card options.
Would you believe that they offer $100 gift cards for 50,000 points?? That’s ridiculous! If I just save those points up for a couple-few days’ hotel stays, I’m pretty sure it’ll be worth more than a single $100 gift card. So much for that.
As for the AMEX points, I don’t plan to use the AMEX card much … or at all, really, so I’m going to cash out those points. I was on the fence about what to get, but the conversation over at Gilded Butterfly’s motivated me to think of a gift card that would do double duty as funding for stuff I need and as funding for Christmas gifts. Too bad I can’t redeem it for Amazon.com or Target!
I can do Linens ‘n’ Things, Barnes & Noble (completely not a necessity), or Banana Republic. Everything else is too frivolously high-end, like Bloomingdale’s, Talbots, L’Occitane, and Brooks Brothers.
With Linens and Things, use a 20% off coupon to get the most for your gc
I’m not one who’s a fan of the high-end stuff but L’Occitane is worth its money if you can get stuff you need on clearance or sale. Their stuff lasts years! I still have that tube of thick hand cream with shea butter! I’ve had it for 4 years and I still haven’t finished using it.
50,000 for a $100 gift card? That’s insane! I think you’re right to cash in the Amex (thanks for the mention, btw), but I strongly disagree that B&N is not a necessity. No, really, it is. It is, right? š
~SavingDiva~ Yep! I can finally use those darned Bed, Bath and Beyond 20% coupons I’ve been hoarding.
~SfMM~ That’s probably a great gift idea, actually. I’ve got a ton of cheapie BBW lotions and such that were on mega clearance. I have to use them all up before I’m allowed to buy any more.
~gildedbutterfly~ Hahah, B&N is totally an indulgence! You know it is! Especially when I get a bunch of SF/Fantasy books from Best Friend’s dad for free, a stack of books from my last work conference, and absolutely no space on my bookshelf š