During the pandemic, a number of hotel programs temporarily suspended the redemption of points for experience packages. This week, Marriott Moments re-launched their experiences auctions and Hilton Honors has today sent out an email alerting members to the fact that they can link their account with Ticketmaster to use points to purchase tickets. Additionally, Hilton is offering ticket packages to a number of popular festivals, including some that are currently sold out.
Marriott Bonvoy Moments
Marriott Moments has a number of culinary, lifestyle, sports, and entertainment packages up for bid. Some of them look pretty unique and interesting. Unfortunately, I found the descriptions lacking in detail on a number of packages. For instance, there is a package to “Experience TownPlace Suites + Weber Master Grilling Class” in Schaumburg, IL as seen above (bidding starts at 40K points).
It wasn’t clear to me whether or not a stay at the hotel was included in this particular package. An overnight stay is not listed in the inclusions, but then I’m not sure what it means to “experience TownePlace Suites” if you’re not staying there. I guess this gives you the chance to experience the grills found at TownePlace properties?
Join Chef Dustin Green at the TownePlace Suites Schaumburg for an exclusive, just for Marriott Bonvoy members, Master Grilling Class focusing on regional cuisine and a menu that is made on the grill. You’ll cook alongside the Weber Culinary Grillmaster as he walks you through recipes while providing you with expert grilling techniques and tips. Chef Green has always had a passion for smoking, grilling and barbeque. Throughout his career, he has developed recipes, learned from, and collaborated with some of the nation’s top chefs and pitmasters. With his expertise in grilling, culinary and menu creation, Chef Green has created world-class grilling experiences for Weber partners and consumers around the world. Weber Grills are found at TownePlace Suite hotels across North America.
Experience Includes:
Exclusive Master Grilling Class at TownePlace Suites Schaumberg with Chef Dustin Green from 6-8pm
Swag Bag
Experience is for two (2) people
Other experiences quite clearly include an overnight stay (or don’t). Some of them look pretty neat. I believe all of them are in auction format with some auctions set to end in about 2 weeks. See more available Marriott Moments here.
Hilton Honors tickets & experiences
Hilton Honors is currently offering a partnership with Ticketmaster to allow the redemption of Hilton points at Ticketmaster. That type of partnership never offers great value for points. I didn’t link my accounts for fear of my Ticketmaster account getting hacked at some point and someone making off with event tickets and leaving me to clean up the mess of missing points. That is to say I didn’t actually check the value, but I expect it is low.
Hilton also advised that a partnership with LiveNation offers a chance to buy festival tickets to a number of popular festivals with Hilton Honors points through Hilton Experiences. For example, you can get 3-day general admission tickets to the Governors Ball in New York for 125K Hilton Honors points (this is a straight redemption, not an auction).
While that picture does not look like my idea of a good time right now, it is surely a good deal for someone interested. The value for points isn’t amazing as it offers 2 three-day tickets for 125K points. It looks like the “regular” price on those was $319 each or $638 total (and they were available at early-bird discounts before that), so this experience values points right around half a cent each. However, 3-day tickets (and individual day tickets for Saturday) for this event are currently sold out, so if you’re looking for tickets to this event this could be appealing. I am not nearly young and cool enough to know the vast majority of musicians performing, but some names that I did at least recognize include Billie Eilish, A$AP Rocky, Post Maone, Ellie Goulding, Carly Ray Jepsen.
For more festivals available through Hilton Honors experiences, see this link. More Hilton Honors Experiences.
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Helpful
I think that based on it saying its from 6-8pm and for two people, that is all that is included- the class from 6-8p for two people. If it included an overnight stay it would probably note the type of room etc.
Yeah, I think you’re probably right.