Author Topic: Honeymoon: BOB, MLE, Or LIH? (Read 149361 times)

(OT, but who wants to bet we will see lots of those at the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem?)

If paying, it opens a whole new can of worms. Theres tons of properties, no need to stick with the big brands...

True, I had thought about that a couple days ago and it slipped my mind. Thanks for reminding me. Perhaps I'd be able to find an OWB in BOB for ~$500 a night at a smaller resort...

AJK · « **Reply #125 on:** April 10, 2012, 11:44:11 AM »

Quote from: Dan on April 10, 2012, 11:34:43 AM

http://www.spg.com/amex5for4

Thanks for the link!

Quote from: aussiebochur on April 10, 2012, 11:41:19 AM

Of last reports, around $200/night.

But the problem is, with the new "enhancements", its really hard to book at a normal rate...

I guess now I could use an explanation

200K for five nights + only $1,000 to get a confirmed upgrade to an OWB seems to be a great deal...

aussiebochur · « **Reply #126 on:** April 10, 2012, 11:49:20 AM »

Hilton HHonors has a VIP award discount for elite members where 5 nights in a Cat 7 would cost 200K.

Then they "enhanced" the program and Premium Room awards which allowed members to redeem points for better rooms.
Once this came into effect, the all suite (premium room) properties upped the prices on almost all the rooms.

Dan · « **Reply #127 on:** April 10, 2012, 12:00:30 PM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on April 10, 2012, 11:49:20 AM

Hilton HHonors has a VIP award discount for elite members where 5 nights in a Cat 7 would cost 200K.

Then they "enhanced" the program and Premium Room awards which allowed members to redeem points for better rooms.
Once this came into effect, the all suite (premium room) properties upped the prices on almost all the rooms.

Are HHonors standard rooms capacity controlled now?
I see "KING GUESTROOM GARDEN VIEW", but only rarely is there a points option for it.

AJK · « **Reply #128 on:** April 10, 2012, 12:04:21 PM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on April 10, 2012, 11:49:20 AM

Hilton HHonors has a VIP award discount for elite members where 5 nights in a Cat 7 would cost 200K.

Then they "enhanced" the program and Premium Room awards which allowed members to redeem points for better rooms.
Once this came into effect, the all suite (premium room) properties upped the prices on almost all the rooms.

I knew about the VIP discounted awards (chart here), but not the "enhancements."

When you say some properties upped the prices, do you mean with regard to the points required? If so, does that automatically mean they'd charge more $$ for a buyup to an OWB as well?

aussiebochur · « **Reply #129 on:** April 10, 2012, 12:06:46 PM »

Quote from: Dan on April 10, 2012, 12:00:30 PM

Are HHonors standard rooms capacity controlled now?
I see "KING GUESTROOM GARDEN VIEW", but only rarely is there a points option for it.

Something like that. Didnt manage to get through the 10's of pages on FT yet.
Some seem to have luck with the Diamond desk working something out but it seems pretty hard to get those redemptions now.

(May have to rethink buying loads of HH points...)

Dan · « **Reply #130 on:** April 10, 2012, 12:09:20 PM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on April 10, 2012, 12:06:46 PM

(May have to rethink buying loads of HH points...)

Yup, with capacity controls you'd have to be a fool to invest in HH. I'm sure the WA J'lem will have 1 room for redemption per night at standard rates. Man does HH stink.

aussiebochur · « **Reply #131 on:** April 10, 2012, 12:13:15 PM »

Quote from: AJK on April 10, 2012, 12:04:21 PM

I knew about the VIP discounted awards (chart here), but not the "enhancements."

When you say some properties upped the prices, do you mean with regard to the points required? If so, does that automatically mean they'd charge more $$ for a buyup to an OWB as well?

Once the rooms become "premium", the points required go off the charts.
But if you do book manage to book them, the buy up should still be in the same league.

IC Thalasso Bora Bora could also be an option.
Together with BOGO from Ambassador status ($200), you may be able to get all nights confirmed in OWB.
Straight points redemptions may also work as they only have 3 land villas (but you dont want to get stuck in them) for a decent price.

Get ready for your head to spin, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/intercontinental-hotels-priority-club-inter-continental-ambassador/1161417-ic-thalasso-bora-bora-master-thread-merged.html

aussiebochur · « **Reply #132 on:** April 10, 2012, 12:14:03 PM »

Quote from: Dan on April 10, 2012, 12:09:20 PM

Yup, with capacity controls you'd have to be a fool to invest in HH. I'm sure the WA J'lem will have 1 room for redemption per night at standard rates. Man does HH stink.

How many million have you got?

Dan · « **Reply #133 on:** April 10, 2012, 12:33:09 PM »

Seems like it's XPF 20K ($219) for HH Gold/Dia members to upgrade to an OWB, so if you can find standard points rooms, it's a good deal. (37,500 x ~.49=$183+$219=$402 per night for an OWB)

AJK · « **Reply #134 on:** April 10, 2012, 12:37:07 PM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on April 10, 2012, 12:13:15 PM

Once the rooms become "premium", the points required go off the charts.
But if you do book manage to book them, the buy up should still be in the same league.

Anyway to tell if a particular room type at a hotel has "gone premium?"

Quote from: aussiebochur on April 10, 2012, 12:13:15 PM

IC Thalasso Bora Bora could also be an option.
Together with BOGO from Ambassador status ($200), you may be able to get all nights confirmed in OWB.
Straight points redemptions may also work as they only have 3 land villas (but you dont want to get stuck in them) for a decent price.

Get ready for your head to spin, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/intercontinental-hotels-priority-club-inter-continental-ambassador/1161417-ic-thalasso-bora-bora-master-thread-merged.html

My head is already spinning

AJK · « **Reply #135 on:** April 10, 2012, 12:44:19 PM »

Quote from: Dan on April 10, 2012, 12:33:09 PM

Seems like it's XPF 20K ($219) for HH Gold/Dia members to upgrade to an OWB, so if you can find standard points rooms, it's a good deal. (37,500 x ~.49=$183+$219=$402 per night for an OWB)

Thanks for the calculation. Time to call to see if standard rooms are available for my dates...

By the way, you mention that each night is 37,500 points, but if I get the VIP discount, wouldn't it be 40k/night? (200/5?)

Dan · « **Reply #136 on:** April 10, 2012, 12:47:08 PM »

Why call? Just look online.
37,500 would be for 6+ nights.

AJK · « **Reply #137 on:** April 10, 2012, 12:53:18 PM »

Quote from: Dan on April 10, 2012, 12:47:08 PM

Why call? Just look online.
37,500 would be for 6+ nights.

Thanks for the clarification.

Just checked 3, 4, and 5 nights and got a big zippo:

aussiebochur · « **Reply #138 on:** April 10, 2012, 01:22:55 PM »

Its like that for months...

AJK · « **Reply #139 on:** April 10, 2012, 01:24:05 PM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on April 10, 2012, 01:22:55 PM

Its like that for months...

Haha, yep.

I guess that idea isn't gonna work